Bikes Compact - Triples

Hondated

Over the last few years because of compact chain sets we are seeing less and less bikes advertised with a triple option and that is now making life harder for me in choosing another bike.Why you might ask. Well not being the most powerful of riders I really like the option of having a crawler gear when I am attempted an alpine climb and looking at the configuration of compacts I can see me if I choose this option of having to give up on one of these climbs if I was to try it.

Is it now a case of having to choose a bike with a compact and then sourcing a triple to fit as a replacement. I would be interested to learn of coleagues experiences of changing over to a compact.

adukeofkent

I have a lovely Secialized allez Elite you can buy. Do specialized not do triples anymore?

Big Wib

Hondated wrote:

Over the last few years because of compact chain sets we are seeing less and less bikes advertised with a triple option and that is now making life harder for me in choosing another bike.Why you might ask. Well not being the most powerful of riders I really like the option of having a crawler gear when I am attempted an alpine climb and looking at the configuration of compacts I can see me if I choose this option of having to give up on one of these climbs if I was to try it.

Is it now a case of having to choose a bike with a compact and then sourcing a triple to fit as a replacement. I would be interested to learn of coleagues experiences of changing over to a compact.

I didn't think it was that hard to get a triple these days although you may need a good LBS

Essex Man

For example, Epic Cycles will build their bikes up from the frame so presumably having a triple fitted wouldn't be a problem.

Also I notice all the cannondales, inc carbon framed, have a triple option.

Stevo_666

The new SRAM Apex groupset comes with an 11-32 cassette. Together with a compact , that will give you a 28.7" bottom gear. That should be low enough for most things.

ALaPlage

Stevo 666 wrote:

The new SRAM Apex groupset comes with an 11-32 cassette. Together with a compact , that will give you a 28.7" bottom gear. That should be low enough for most things.

This is a good option however to be honest a compact can run an 11-28 cassette and this is not too far off a triple. Training on a lower tooth builds strength and you will find it won't take you long to get up the steep climbs on a 34/28 combination compact. I have been doing this and started off on the biggest back cog on a local climb and then progressively over 6 weeks have knocked it down a cog to attempt the climb. I now can go up it at a comfortable pace on the third cog which I think is 24 teeth.

Also If you look at Evans website there are a number of bikes available with a triple including Specialized, Trek, Cannondale.

Hondated

Thanks everyone for responding so quickly.All the information provided is useful to me and given what was said about compact ratios I might have to give one a try.

bendertherobot

I've just ditched my triple in favour of a compact with 11-28.

It's just easier not to have to think about which of three rings you want to be in.

And slightly more pleasing on the eye (in fact very much so given it's SRAM Force

jgsi

@ up ... but still a magic 11 sprocket appears..... you guys can turn an 11at a decent rate ?
an 11 or even a 12 realistically is waste for me...and is quite difficult to get a quality 13/14 -23/25 ..
seen a Miche Primato Cassette 10 Speed 13-23(Shimano) ... but never heard of that brand before but tempting for under £25

bendertherobot

JGSI wrote:

@ up ... but still a magic 11 sprocket appears..... you guys can turn an 11at a decent rate ?
an 11 or even a 12 realistically is waste for me...and is quite difficult to get a quality 13/14 -23/25 ..
seen a Miche Primato Cassette 10 Speed 13-23(Shimano) ... but never heard of that brand before but tempting for under £25

It tickles me that every one has a view based on what they think is right

Bear in mind that if your speccing a groupset then sometimes you can't have certain combos

jgsi

Right for me... should be the only conclusion you should draw.
ty