chrisvu05

synopsis: First century back from a 4 month hip injury is coming up in 12 days. I'm completely recovered but have lost a ton of fitness. I have ridden this century in the past and the last climb up lookout mountain about killed me. I was pushing a 53/39 with an 12-25 cassette at the time but weighing 10lbs less than I am now.

Fast forward to this year: I have in my possession a Triple crank and a 13-26 or I can run my normal Compact 50/36 with and 11-25 or 13-29 (13-29 would have to be purchased).....

Which do you suggest and why?

Nachoman

Personally I'd probably go with the setup that has the easiest gearing ratio that I already owned, so I wouldn't have to go out and purchase a new cassette. And more importantly I would not hammer out a century. I would take it nice and easy the entire time.

chrisvu05

I already own the compact it is what iusually race with. The only purchase would be the 13-29 cassette.

Crast

If your left shifter and front derailleur can handle the triple,

I'd go with the triple. It's more work to replace a crankset than it is a cassette, but you seem to indicate you're fine with doing it. As to why, you can keep the slightly closer range gearing which is nice to have, especially if you're recovering from an injury. Options are good.

The difference between the 30:26 bottom end on the triple and 36:29 is only 2 gear inches though, so either one of them will provide you with the bottom end gearing you seek.

intence

Go with the compact, it will get you ready for the double sooner. Are you really likely to use the granny gear on the triple? Slightly less weight than the triple as well.

chrisvu05

The climb at mile 83 of the ride is Burkhalter Gap....it's 3 miles of 10%+ with areas at the top going 15-19%. The last time I climbed it I was standing for 36 minutes in the 39-25....I couldn't sit because I couldn't turn the cranks sitting. It is the worst climb i've ever done...so yes a triple would very much be useful.

Boudicca

I have one bike with a compact double, and one with a triple.

I know which one I'd be taking on the hills. (Clue. It's not the one with two chain rings in front)

Grumpy McTrumpy

I'd go with the 13/29. Cheaper, easier to mount.

Here's the profile for Burkhalter

https://www.mapmyride.com/ride/united...oga/1131433816

J.W.

Will your FD be able to handle the triple? Personally i would just change out cassettes.....or HTFU...

AEO

you'll want a smaller gear than 36x29 for a 19% grade, especially if it's long.

if it's just a small 200m section, then 36x29 should be doable.

I find myself completely grinding away at my knees with a 34x25 on 19~20% grades if it's too long.

ericm979

34t ring for the compact, the 13-29, and a medium cage derailleur. (I am assuming you have Campy).

chrisvu05

yeah the top averages around 12% I'd think but there are small sections of 15-19% according to my garmin. The kicker here is that this climb comes after 80+ miles of riding which include 2 significant* climbs.

Camilo

Man, I can't see why a rider of your experience and mechanical proficiency would even ask the question of strangers, or why you'd feel you need any information and imput more than what you can decide for yourself. You not only know more about your current condition and the ride itself, you also probably know more about the advantages and disadvantages of the two possible set ups.

That said, if it were me, given what you've said, I'd go with the triple. I can't see any possible reason not to. A century after the recovery you've been going through is the last place you'd be at all concerned about making yourself stronger (as someone suggested). Regardless of how tiny the difference is, the triple will in fact give you lower gears, and if you're considering buying the rear 29 in order to use the compact, why not buy it and use it with the triple and further increase the advantage? The weight difference is meaningless. Finally, if you decide you don't need the triple for future races, you can swap it out with very little muss of fuss. I'm biased though because I see the compact as being a compromise with no clear significant advantage and some fairly clear disadvantages vis a vis the triple.

chrisvu05

Yeah I asked myself this same thing right after I posted it....haha. I attribute the stupidity to a late night of grant writing for my PhD and a need to distract myself.

MONGO!

Keep the 11-25 and buy a 34T chainring for the front.

Rutnick

I did it with a compact and a 12-27 last year. Another guy two guys in our group had compacts with one having a 12-25 and another having a 11-27. The one guy that had a triple...didn't make it up.

One guy had 11-26 and 53/39

I think your heart and soul wants the double but considering the hip injury....triple. I'm assuming campy so do you have a campy long cage derailer and triple FD?

What mileage do you have for the year?

I've done the ride too....not the hardest climb I've ever done but Burkhalter does play with some people's head.

f4rrest

Skip this year, heal, and study. Dang, that was easy.

chrisvu05

600+ miles in this year (Mostly March and April). I will not be skipping the ride. My legs are fine to do a century I just won't be going at the pace I did it the last time. My hip is healed just lost strength...that's why i'm even pondering the triple. The last time I did the ride I was on a different bike with a standard double and a 12-25...my current setup is a 50/36 with a 11-25...the 25 is used often on climbs around here right now...so I just wanted somethign i could spin longer. I'll prolly just HTFU and ride...you don't get any stronger sitting around being a pansy ass.