Road bike for someone from the other side

stumpyjon

I'm looking to get a road bike but don't have a great deal of experience with them. I ride mountain bikes at the moment and have 3, full suss, hardtail and a commuter.

From the research I've done I'm thinking a triple would be better for me coming from a MTB background and there are some pretty nasty hills locally that have me in the lowest gears on my MTBs.

Thinking of spending up to a grand and really like the look of the Focus Cayo 105 triple from Wiggle.

I'm mainly going to be using it for commuting (about 17 miles each way to work, flipping MTBs spin out at 30mph :evil: ) and clocking up some mileage during the winter when I've had too much mud. Is the Cayo a reasonable bike and does the rest of my logic make sense?

guilliano

Mr Stumpy

You'd be surprised what you can get up with a 34t inner ring on a road bike that you would struggle with in the granny ring on a MTB. If you feel a triple would be comfortable then go for it, but I'm shocked at what I can climb with a compact having come from MTBs myself.

From what I hear the Focus is a damn good bike for the money

kingrollo

If you are going for a new bike - I would go for a compact rather than a triple. Focus is a good bike - rated by many on here - don't hear many complaints. I would have thought being a stiff bike, it wouldn't be something I would want for commuting - but if youre an experienced MTB'ER I m guessing that this won't be an issue for you.

Not Another Hill

I've the 2007 Focus Cayo AND came to road biking after 5 yerars of MTBing. Great bike. I went for the compact and have not regretted it. Ridden up everything including 25-33% hills on various sportives.

stumpyjon

Ok I'm getting a vibe here to go for the compact rather than the triple. What's the benefit of having fewer gear ratios. I'd have thought more gears = less spacing between ratios and therefore it should be easier to find a gear to maintain a steady cadence?

guilliano

Easier to use the whole cassette on both chainrings as you can "trim" the front mech...... give it half a shift to stop it rubbing on the chain. In reality it's just a touch lighter and removes an almost completely unnecessary low gear.

swissj

Amen to all the above!

Compact, compact, compact. I used to ride a mountain bike, then I bought an allez with a triple and within three months bought a roubaix with a compact.

Don't make my mistake, go straight for the compact, I would be surprised if it gives you issues especially as you are clearly 'bike fit'.

andrew_s

Be aware that there is a strong element of "if you use a triple you're a wimp" in the roadie world. Bunch of posers is what I say. If you want to show how strong you are up hills, get a fixed wheel and do it properly.

Also, some people don't get on with the large jump in ring sizes on a compact, having to change 2 cogs at the same time as a front change to keep an even cadence.

stumpyjon

Hmm, definitely veering towards a compact despite all my MTB leanings. Just worked out the ratios and all I lose is the 1.1 : 1 ratio. Looks like most of the ratios form the middle ring are duplicated. I must admit shifting both front and rear simultaneously on the MTB can get annoying.

keef66

Well my 52 year old knees require me to maintain a pretty fast, constant cadence, so I went for a triple. Not for the one lower gear, but for the closely spaced rear cassette and much less chainring swapping. Never regretted it for a moment; it suits me perfectly.

And think how much fiter I have become lugging that extra alu chainring around with me!