Bought!
jellikins
Posts: 153
Been on these forums over last few months regarding triples, compacts, bikes etc getting ready to do the Raid Pyranees next year.
I let an LBS convince me that I didn't need a triple today and that a compact and 12-27 would be enough to get me over all 15 cols (including Tourmalet) on Modane 5.2 (08).
So I have bought it and pick it up later in the week.
I hope I don't run out of gears!
I let an LBS convince me that I didn't need a triple today and that a compact and 12-27 would be enough to get me over all 15 cols (including Tourmalet) on Modane 5.2 (08).
So I have bought it and pick it up later in the week.
I hope I don't run out of gears!
0
Posts
Now I am worried!
I think there is some macho resistance to the idea of triples, and of course they cost more. Some also worry about the extra weight, but this is minimal.
What sort of riding and on what sort of bikes have you done before?
Been cycling 6 months (ride is next June) and am 5'11 and 12 stone 5 pound and 39.
I am fit from lots of other sports and am doing about 100 miles a week at mo on short steep hills in local area.
Physiologically, I am told that fitness won't be a prob for me. The issue was some had advised me that a triple would give me a "bail out" option if things got really tough.
LBS said that to buy a triple for 1 ride when all other uses wouldn't need one was a waste. He said that I shouild have no trouble with a compact 12-27 as the granny gears on that would be almost like spinning and not moving compared to what I have on the Dawes now.
The triple is a waste for 1 ride, agreed, but it is not such a waste - it will cost maybe £30 more and add maybe 100g. If you don't want it afterwards you can remove the inner ring and set the front mech limit screw. Slight downside is that it leaves you a conventional double, rather than compact, and the Q factor (pedal width) will be a few mm wider. Question is, will the triple / no triple thing make or break your 1 ride...difficult to say.
I'm a wooss, and have been prone to achiles tendonitis, knee pain and back pain, so no way would I give up the triple, but you, as I've said, are likely to have much better fitness.
The big question will be how easy is the granny gear on a compact 12-27 and will it be easy enough to get me up the 15 cols in the Pyranees. 5.2 Modance is light and I should be fitter than now in 9 months. As long as it doesn't ruin the enjoyment of the ride cos I find it harder work than the others on triples if they are using the extra gear or 2 it brings.
Rob
I suppose the ? is whether those on triples actually used the lowest gear they had?
Picking bike up on Friday and hope I don't regret not insisting on a triple!
dont' worry about it - the cassette range you have bought is a good one so you have about the same range of gearing as a triple - but they are not as close-together.
I switched from a triple to a compact this year and although injury has limited my road time I am confident that I did the right thing.
Anyway - it's not cast in stone - if you don't get on with the compact then change the chainset to give you a triple! - a 105 spec chainset can be had for £70-£80 - a tiagra one much less and I think most shimano shifters are suitable for double or triple these days (i think..) so it isn't a big effort if yu decide you need the smallest chainring. I have to say though that 30 x 27 would be less than walking pace - i mean a really small gear and my experience of alpine climbs is that, unlike the short - sharp climbs you get in the UK - it isn't the gradient that gets you abroad but the length of the climb and the duration you spend at a very high heart rate.
I think you will be fine..
I am really excited about picking the bike up! Compared to the Gire 500, the carbon 5.2 Modane was like paper to lift!
But that's just me, you might be ok with a compact. Good luck with that. And enjoy!!
Now I am worried again!
Would the easier gers not be same guys? Surely it is only the middle ones that there are less of? The granny gear would not be much easier would it on a triple than a 12-27 compact?
34/27 = 33.1"
30/25 = 31.5"
30/25 is 4.8% easier to spin.
When you consider the extra weigh of the triple, less than 5% easier to spin shouldn't make the difference between the ride being enjoyable and not being able to complete should it?
sheldon brown (rip) says..
a 30x25 (triple with 12-25 cassette) gives a lowest gear of 31.5 inches
a 34x27 (compact - you have this) gives a gear of 33.1 inches
This is lower than the triple users second lowest gear (30x23 = 34.3 inches) - barely any difference at all.!
stop worrying - start riding.
I reckon you will be fine, it will just mean that your cadence is 5% higher.
i.e. Cad 57 with the 34/27 instead of Cad 60 with the 30/25 (@ 9kph).
I would want a minimum 50/34 with a 12-25 or even 27 to even think about serious climbing like you are going to do.
To be honest, as has been suggested, its the 'endurance' bit that needs addressing. You'll need to keep going for far longer at a given rate, even in a 'granny gear', and spinning like mad for kilometre after kilometer is pretty tiring (and demoralising) in itself.
Go for a triple for safety so you don't regret not having the extra gear(s), its worth it not to spoil the trip with worry.
This whole plan is also a good incentive to get fitter. Go for it
Singlespeeds in town rule.
Just get some miles in before you go and do not treat it like a race. Cafe stops are to be encouraged as is stopping to take photos. I was able to ride both the Aubisque and the Tourmalet on the same day and only got out of the saddle to ease my backside. I did use the 34/27 a lot but I don't think a 30/27 which the average triple gives would have been any better. I would have gone slower for longer while pushing only a little bit easier or I would have had to try to spin more which I would have found harder. Some would prefer this but not for me.