Compact v Triple
Discussion
Compact with a 32 at the back for me. I did Col d'Iseran last year on that set up.
I don't like my steaks as described above but I'm 65 years old and not as strong as I was in my 30's.
I always had a triple but compact is ok. I had one bike with a 28 and I had to change it to a 32 I think it was psychological!
I don't like my steaks as described above but I'm 65 years old and not as strong as I was in my 30's.
I always had a triple but compact is ok. I had one bike with a 28 and I had to change it to a 32 I think it was psychological!
It depends what you have on the bike now. If you already run a triple then that's fine, but if not you're going to need a chainset, front mech and shifter. Shimano only do triples in Tiagra or below - nobody does a 11 speed triple.
I'd run with a compact and a 32T on the back, or if you're really concerned (and depending on what you're running in terms of groupset) you might be able to make a 34T work giving you a 1:1 ratio.
A lot of cheap French bikes come with triples, but they also have small cassettes so you'd be running a 30T up front and a 25T or a 28T at a push at the back. A 34/32 combo gives you pretty much the same ratio as that.
I'd run with a compact and a 32T on the back, or if you're really concerned (and depending on what you're running in terms of groupset) you might be able to make a 34T work giving you a 1:1 ratio.
A lot of cheap French bikes come with triples, but they also have small cassettes so you'd be running a 30T up front and a 25T or a 28T at a push at the back. A 34/32 combo gives you pretty much the same ratio as that.
Depending on vintage, and the flavour of mech, you'd probably need a new rear mech (and possibly a matching STI lever) to run a 32 sprocket, just FYI.
The correct answer is that it totally depends - on you, your strengths/weaknesses as a rider and how you like to climb. If you're unfit and like to spin, you probably want a triple. If you're strong and don't mind a low cadence you'll be fine with a 'standard double' and a short range cassette, but that's less likely.
Bottom line is you'll get up with whatever. You can get some pretty wide ranges in either, just go with whatever gets you some reasonable gearing with the least hassle. Triples certainly aren't in fashion, the argument being that they're heavier, more junk on the bike and you can now get similar gearing with a compact.
The correct answer is that it totally depends - on you, your strengths/weaknesses as a rider and how you like to climb. If you're unfit and like to spin, you probably want a triple. If you're strong and don't mind a low cadence you'll be fine with a 'standard double' and a short range cassette, but that's less likely.
Bottom line is you'll get up with whatever. You can get some pretty wide ranges in either, just go with whatever gets you some reasonable gearing with the least hassle. Triples certainly aren't in fashion, the argument being that they're heavier, more junk on the bike and you can now get similar gearing with a compact.
smifffymoto said:
Which does the PH experts think most suitable for cols in the Pyrenees.Alot of French riders still go with triples but I'm not sure if it is from necessity or something that has always been done and just resist change.
You're right, on the Continent accepted practice has long been a triple for mountains. In a similar way, current practice amongst UK cyclists is to go over there with a compact.But a triple with a 30T granny ring running an 11-28T cassette has almost exactly the same lowest ratio as a compact running an 11-32T. So makes no odds, from that point of view.
A compact may be a few grams lighter, and might even be easier to set up, but one overlooked advantage to a triple is that most of the time over here you can just leave it in the middle ring. But they're deeply unfashionable and other UK cyclists will mock you savagely.
I've a triple on my old starter bike, a compact on my best bike and 1x on my hack. It's just the way they came.
Everyone goes on about tripples just in regards to the lowest gear they offer, but they also offer a great range of gears for every scenario, with small increments between each gear
Ive owned tripples, 39/53 & compacts and all have flaws and benefits
I like a 39/53, with a 12-26/cassette , nice and close ratios, the 39 ring is more usable on the flat/slight inclines than a 34 and the big ring is good for descents. The main drawback is the lowest gear a 39/26 takes it out of your legs on long climbs when you are knackered! On a triple you you get the benefits of 39/53 and a lower ring to solve the drawbacks of lack of low range.
Plus if the triple has a 30 front ring & close rear cassette which some riders (like me) like, even more so on long hour plus climbs
Ive got a compact with a 12-30 cassette as my winter bike (it came with) , thought it was overkill for UK at first , but have grown to favor it through winter on steep climbs, trouble is the gaps between gears do my nut in, with a triple you can have a nice close ratio rear cassette , but still have low gears. I like a compact but I find the small ring mostly useless unless on hills (even then I often stay on the big ring) with a 39 ring I often used it on the flat to spin along at 18/19mph
Having said all that, im not sure if I'd ever spec a triple, as said above normally you just amend or stick with what the bike comes with, rather than rip it all out for your "ideal setup"
Bugger me that was a lot of waffle!
Ive owned tripples, 39/53 & compacts and all have flaws and benefits
I like a 39/53, with a 12-26/cassette , nice and close ratios, the 39 ring is more usable on the flat/slight inclines than a 34 and the big ring is good for descents. The main drawback is the lowest gear a 39/26 takes it out of your legs on long climbs when you are knackered! On a triple you you get the benefits of 39/53 and a lower ring to solve the drawbacks of lack of low range.
Plus if the triple has a 30 front ring & close rear cassette which some riders (like me) like, even more so on long hour plus climbs
Ive got a compact with a 12-30 cassette as my winter bike (it came with) , thought it was overkill for UK at first , but have grown to favor it through winter on steep climbs, trouble is the gaps between gears do my nut in, with a triple you can have a nice close ratio rear cassette , but still have low gears. I like a compact but I find the small ring mostly useless unless on hills (even then I often stay on the big ring) with a 39 ring I often used it on the flat to spin along at 18/19mph
Having said all that, im not sure if I'd ever spec a triple, as said above normally you just amend or stick with what the bike comes with, rather than rip it all out for your "ideal setup"
Bugger me that was a lot of waffle!
A triple only gives you one extra gear at the bottom end (i.e. lower than what a compact would have). All the rest is overlap in the middle.
With the greater number of 10 and 11 speed bikes it is becoming less and less necessary. I like close ratios and typically have a 12-23 fitted to my bike (in the UK) but that's only necessary because it's 9 speed. If/when I upgrade to 11 speed, I'll be able to run a 12-28 instead with exactly the same first 9 ratios.
With the greater number of 10 and 11 speed bikes it is becoming less and less necessary. I like close ratios and typically have a 12-23 fitted to my bike (in the UK) but that's only necessary because it's 9 speed. If/when I upgrade to 11 speed, I'll be able to run a 12-28 instead with exactly the same first 9 ratios.
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