Triple For Racing.

FISHER_SE
FISHER_SE Posts: 7
edited August 2013 in Amateur race
Hello All.

Hope this is in the right section.
I want to potentially start racing next season and im looking to get a new bike as the one i have now is a cheap one for commuting.

I have found a bmc one i like but it has a triple crankset, i was just wondering if this would hinder performance at all during a race?

Thanks

Comments

  • Cookie91
    Cookie91 Posts: 97
    My first race i had a triple chainset on. I think I was the only one and I came top 20 out of 120+ at the castle combe easter classic. Well i certainly wouldn't of come first from having a double.
    Basically, a triple has a few extra options which I hardly ever used. I never used the granny gear so my new bike now has a compact.
    Why...? well it's one less cog to clean, perhaps it saves about 30g but that doesn't bother me. With any luck I'm sure your LBS may me able to swap it for a double/compact or if theres anyone online or in a local club to you who may wish to swap.
  • alihisgreat
    alihisgreat Posts: 3,872
    If you want to race get a standard double

    you should be fit enough to do without the granny ring if you're thinking about racing.
  • alan_sherman
    alan_sherman Posts: 1,157
    It won't hinder you.
  • GiantMike
    GiantMike Posts: 3,139
    If it's a circuit race you'll spend all your time on the big ring - so no fator

    If it's a road race with hills, you may drop down to the middle ring - just make sure it's properly adjusted so you don't accidentally get the little ring.

    Race with it, you'll be fine.
  • FISHER_SE
    FISHER_SE Posts: 7
    Thanks for all the replies. Think I'm gonna go for it.
  • racingcondor
    racingcondor Posts: 1,434
    As long as it's well adjusted it won't matter. The only real reason (real being why I'm ignoring weight) that Doubles (or indeed Compacts) are better is that they're easyer to adjust and so less likely to mishift.

    Weight might be an issue if you're on the verge of getting on the sort of team which gives you a bike but until then all that matters is that your bike works well enough for your legs to do the talking.
  • CYCLESPORT1
    CYCLESPORT1 Posts: 471
    No, please don't use a triple for racing :(
  • imposter2.0
    imposter2.0 Posts: 12,028
    FISHER_SE wrote:
    Hello All.

    Hope this is in the right section.
    I want to potentially start racing next season and im looking to get a new bike as the one i have now is a cheap one for commuting.

    I have found a bmc one i like but it has a triple crankset, i was just wondering if this would hinder performance at all during a race?

    Thanks

    it wouldn't hinder performance as such, but there's nothing to stop you from swapping it for a double/compact.
  • maryka
    maryka Posts: 748
    Except cost if you can't do it as part of the deal in buying the bike.

    Not just cranks but front shifter too needs to be changed to make a triple into a double.
    http://www.twitter.com/smaryka
  • Herbsman
    Herbsman Posts: 2,029
    Nowt wrong with racing on a triple. It might not be PRO but it's fine
    CAPTAIN BUCKFAST'S CYCLING TIPS - GUARANTEED TO WORK! 1 OUT OF 10 RACING CYCLISTS AGREE!
  • racingcondor
    racingcondor Posts: 1,434
    CYCLESPORT1 wrote:
    No, please don't use a triple for racing :(

    Where do you race? I'm really tempted to get a triple just to bug you! :lol:
  • simon_e
    simon_e Posts: 1,707
    Herbsman wrote:
    Nowt wrong with racing on a triple. It might not be PRO but it's fine
    +1. Anyone who thinks the extra 200g of the granny ring is holding them back is deluded.

    I find the 50/39 or 52/39 of the two outer rings a better combination than a compact's 50/34, while you still have a set of ratios left for the steep stuff.
    Aspire not to have more, but to be more.
  • NewTTer
    NewTTer Posts: 463
    racingcondor wrote:
    CYCLESPORT1 wrote:
    No, please don't use a triple for racing :(

    Where do you race? I'm really tempted to get a triple just to bug you! :lol:


    I like this appeals to my sense of humour nice one condor
  • upton
    upton Posts: 40
    If you like the bike, don't worry about the extra little ring! The 39 ring is the same you'd get on a double anyway.

    You're not losing any gears, you've just got a few extra lower ones with the 30 ring!
  • Mike67
    Mike67 Posts: 585
    maryka wrote:
    Not just cranks but front shifter too needs to be changed to make a triple into a double.

    This can be adjusted out using the front derailleur stop screws. Effectively not allowing the front (triple) shifter to move more than one click....making it a double. I did this on my cross bike which has a triple shifter but double chainset.

    As for racing on a triple...I have and it most definitley affected my performance...I was dropped after 3 laps :wink:

    Seriously, as said above, on a flat crit circuit you'll never be out of the big ring unless you can pedal at 150rpm or so!!!
    Mike B

    Cannondale CAAD9
    Kinesis Pro 5 cross bike
    Lots of bits
  • bigmat
    bigmat Posts: 5,134
    You won't need a triple for racing but can't see that it would do any harm. I race on a compact (50/34) and that has worked pretty well for me. Some races a double might be better, but with an 11 tooth sprocket you lose little at the top end. You shouldn't need the small ring on the triple for all but the toughest climbs - even then a compact would be more than enough so probably a better option. The main thing though is that you will have the gears you need to race, just a few more that you probably don't need as well.
    http://www.flickr.com/photos/41991871@N ... otostream/

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