Compact V Triple

Hondated

Having tried a 50/34 Compact after riding a triple I decided to sell the Compact and stick with the triple.Anyway would you believe today out on my normal route the front changer needed adjusting and because I could not get it down to the 30 chain ring I stayed on the 42 and struggled on.
What surprised me was that although a struggle after that hill the next one felt a struggle but I managed it and now I am left wondering whether I should have persevered with the Compact.
Does a Compact take time to get use to and has anyone else made the change and had the same struggle.

doyler78

I went from a flat bar triple to a drop bar compact and the only issue I had was the different handling. The gearing wasn't an issue.

derbygrimpeur

The gearing shouldn't make much of a difference to be honest, it should just come down to preference. I ride with a triple (53-42-30 / 12-23) because it gives me more gears and smaller changes between gears than a compact or standard. I've still got the 53-12 I would have on a standard, but I've also got a 30-23 for steeper climbs 25% gradient.

IMO it's not a question of whether you'd have got used to a compact, but what makes more sense for you. Alot of riders laugh at a triple, but who gives a sh*t. Ride with whatever gives you the gears you want. I could quite easily manage any climb with a standard chainset. Doesn't mean I'm about to switch back from my triple.

I would add, this is on my winter bike. When I get a race bike I'm currently thinking of getting a compact with an 11-23 11sp cassette. The only reason I wouldn't get a triple is because I'm unlikely to need it in a race.