Triple vs. Double
 

I am considering a new bike with DuraAce. I was told that DuraAce comes only as a double (vs. triple gears in front).

My current bike has a granny front gear.

Do any of you know if the small gear of the Double is smaller than the middle gear of the Triple?

Of course my concern is that I will not have the granny gear when I really need it… but if the double is smaller I many be ok since I rarely use the lowest gear all the way.

Also, do you know if the new DuraAce comes with additional gear in the back? What does it really means?

By no way am I great cyclist, but I love my double crank. Having only 2 rings simplies gear selection, and makes for much smoother shifts.

I was unsure of making this decision myself back in March, but I'm happy. I say go for it.

Actually you're in luck because the 9-speed Dura Ace group does offer a triple and I just saw it listed at www.supergo.com for $249.98. If you don't want to drop that much on a crank set the Ultegra triple is just over $100 and will provide you with perfect performance. Since you will need a triple bottom bracket to go with the new cranks I highly recommend getting a Dura Ace. It is servicable where as the others are not and is also lighter.

There are now drawbacks to having a triple over a double. If you are not a strong cyclist, live in a very hilly area or a mixture of both by all means use a triple. You don't have to use the "granny" but it is peace of mind knowing that it's there if you ever need it. I ride a double but my wife has a triple and it has saved her from walking up a hill many times.

I forgot to answer your question about the gear size.

A double usually contains a 39/53 chainring set. A triple has usually contains a 30/42/52. The triple has the advantage of staying in the middle ring (42) longer than the double (39) small ring by not spinning out as easily. You could probably just stay in the 42 and use a combo of 42/14 at 85 RPM's and cruise along at 22 - 24 mph. I ride a 39/14 or 13 and run 21 - 25 mph at 80 to 85 rpm's.

Good luck with you purchase.

*yawn!*, and Webster says "To open the mouth wide as an involuntary reaction to boredom or fatigue"

But you do this voluntary...you are so board, cruise the web, and find the energy to move your fingers and type...

I would definately get a double 53x39 front and 12x23 if you are young and can mash up hills. I just converted my rear to a 12x26. My 44 year old knees feel better now.

The new DA 10 comes in a double only, but as others have mentioned, you can get the DA 9 spd in a triple.

If you rarely use the triple now, the double with the 39 sounds like it would be fine. Don't know what you are running in back now, but that's the other side of the equation. I think you have quite a few options with any of them.

Personally, I run my DA 10 with a 12-25, which is about perfect for my level of fitness and the terrain here in central Mass. I also like the simplicity of 2 front rings - I find it easier to combine the shifting changes on the front and back without thinking when I am running the double.

At 64, and with Colorado hills, I love my triple and sometimes wish for a quadruple! :)

I even have my triple with a 28 instead of a 30.

By the way, it shifts just fine.

But, MAN - those hills can get to you! I.e., Vail Pass.

And no cat calls from those of you who whoosh by me in your double.

Just wait a few years!

Denver - those sound like mountains more than hills!

:-)

As I understand it from these forums, our roads up our mountains around here are generally less steep than those in the east, as we don't build them straight up, but use devices such as switchbacks to make them less steep.

That said, the trail up Vail Pass does have some sections approaching 12%, at least - but they are short sections.

When we visited St Johns in the US Virgin Islands this year, it was obvious that they had never heard of switchbacks, either. If there is a hill, they attack it directly, straight up that hill, no matter how steep!

Riding in Vail Pass-how neat is that-I drove thru that area once and it was breath taking.

It is beautiful. We are in the mountains near there as I type. See:

http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread...highlight=vail