High quality triple groupset?
Discussion
PH wisdom: There doesn't seem to have been a triple thread for a while. I used to be a keen cyclist; long mountain-filled cycle/camping tours and daily commute for years in flat London - on what was at the time a completely out-of-fashion fixed wheel. My lovely second-hand '90s Colnago Master / Record groupset is great but heavy by modern standards and despite having the biggest sprocket the rear mech can deal with, 42 / 52 leaves me struggling on the hills. I want to keep the Colnago as it is because it is now a classic and still fun to ride as long as I avoid the steepest routes so I plan to get a new, lighter bike with either a compact or a triple. Thinking of an Enigma Etape to allow mudguards and potential for light touring.
Here's the question: What high quality triple groupset or is compact the only way to go? Doesn't have to be a complete groupset, presumably TA is an option for the chainset. I've always preferred Campagnolo and back in the last century they made Record, Chorus and Comp triples but seem to have dropped those now and long cage derailleurs as well judging by the descriptions on Chicken and the Campag website. Presumably Athena, Centaur etc are good?
Here's the question: What high quality triple groupset or is compact the only way to go? Doesn't have to be a complete groupset, presumably TA is an option for the chainset. I've always preferred Campagnolo and back in the last century they made Record, Chorus and Comp triples but seem to have dropped those now and long cage derailleurs as well judging by the descriptions on Chicken and the Campag website. Presumably Athena, Centaur etc are good?
I'm really not built for hills, but with my 34/25 lowest gear have got up Holme Moss (slowly, but without stopping 
)
I could really do with a slightly lower 1st gear so I'm contemplating getting a 28 on the back to achieve this.
I suppose my point is, if I can climb on a compact, then most others should be able to.
) I could really do with a slightly lower 1st gear so I'm contemplating getting a 28 on the back to achieve this.
I suppose my point is, if I can climb on a compact, then most others should be able to.
A lot of people think Tripples are only good for wimps or low gears, I actually want one so I can run close high gears!
One of my bikes has a 52/39 with a 11-25, its great, ratios are nice and close.
One of my others has a 50/34 12-30, which is a bit of a pita , but covers all bases. I never go below 34/28 and the gaps between ratios are really really annoying! I use the bike for light touring and commuting , when I'm touring with some weight on the bike the big cassette helps more, but for comuteing the ratios are too spaced out. Therefore I would quite like a triple with a 52/42/32 and a 11-25 on the back. Then I get some nice a close ratios on the back for which I would be in the 42 ring 90% of the time and 32 ring on the front for climbing when loaded up, and a 52 for downhills and putting the hammer down. dont get me wrong compacts are great for most people, but personally I would prefer a Double or triple.
The 36/53 cranksets look a nice compromise when living in a hilly area.
One of my bikes has a 52/39 with a 11-25, its great, ratios are nice and close.
One of my others has a 50/34 12-30, which is a bit of a pita , but covers all bases. I never go below 34/28 and the gaps between ratios are really really annoying! I use the bike for light touring and commuting , when I'm touring with some weight on the bike the big cassette helps more, but for comuteing the ratios are too spaced out. Therefore I would quite like a triple with a 52/42/32 and a 11-25 on the back. Then I get some nice a close ratios on the back for which I would be in the 42 ring 90% of the time and 32 ring on the front for climbing when loaded up, and a 52 for downhills and putting the hammer down. dont get me wrong compacts are great for most people, but personally I would prefer a Double or triple.
The 36/53 cranksets look a nice compromise when living in a hilly area.
Shimano still make 6700 Ultegra triples?
If Shimano offends, you could also try Middleburn, they are superbly made bits of kit but you do get what you pay for....
I'd quite like a 52/36 chainset next too, seems like the best solution given the constraints around 110/130 BCD
If Shimano offends, you could also try Middleburn, they are superbly made bits of kit but you do get what you pay for....
I'd quite like a 52/36 chainset next too, seems like the best solution given the constraints around 110/130 BCD
Edited by anonymous-user on Friday 25th July 11:34
TwistingMyMelon said:
A lot of people think Tripples are only good for wimps or low gears, I actually want one so I can run close high gears!
One of my bikes has a 52/39 with a 11-25, its great, ratios are nice and close.
One of my others has a 50/34 12-30, which is a bit of a pita , but covers all bases. I never go below 34/28 and the gaps between ratios are really really annoying! I use the bike for light touring and commuting , when I'm touring with some weight on the bike the big cassette helps more, but for comuteing the ratios are too spaced out. Therefore I would quite like a triple with a 52/42/32 and a 11-25 on the back. Then I get some nice a close ratios on the back for which I would be in the 42 ring 90% of the time and 32 ring on the front for climbing when loaded up, and a 52 for downhills and putting the hammer down. dont get me wrong compacts are great for most people, but personally I would prefer a Double or triple.
The 36/53 cranksets look a nice compromise when living in a hilly area.
While I do partially agree (I'm very much a fan of close ratios), the latest 11-speed cassettes make this less true than it once was. You can now get an 11-28 which offers pretty much the same gaps between gears as the 12-23 (9-speed) that I usually run or an 11-32 that's comparable to an 11-25.One of my bikes has a 52/39 with a 11-25, its great, ratios are nice and close.
One of my others has a 50/34 12-30, which is a bit of a pita , but covers all bases. I never go below 34/28 and the gaps between ratios are really really annoying! I use the bike for light touring and commuting , when I'm touring with some weight on the bike the big cassette helps more, but for comuteing the ratios are too spaced out. Therefore I would quite like a triple with a 52/42/32 and a 11-25 on the back. Then I get some nice a close ratios on the back for which I would be in the 42 ring 90% of the time and 32 ring on the front for climbing when loaded up, and a 52 for downhills and putting the hammer down. dont get me wrong compacts are great for most people, but personally I would prefer a Double or triple.
The 36/53 cranksets look a nice compromise when living in a hilly area.
What I would like to see is more cassettes with a 12 as their smallest cog. Very few people (except Okgo) need a gear that long and I'd much rather have an extra ratio in the middle of the cassette where I spend most of my time.
Mr Will said:
TwistingMyMelon said:
A lot of people think Tripples are only good for wimps or low gears, I actually want one so I can run close high gears!
One of my bikes has a 52/39 with a 11-25, its great, ratios are nice and close.
One of my others has a 50/34 12-30, which is a bit of a pita , but covers all bases. I never go below 34/28 and the gaps between ratios are really really annoying! I use the bike for light touring and commuting , when I'm touring with some weight on the bike the big cassette helps more, but for comuteing the ratios are too spaced out. Therefore I would quite like a triple with a 52/42/32 and a 11-25 on the back. Then I get some nice a close ratios on the back for which I would be in the 42 ring 90% of the time and 32 ring on the front for climbing when loaded up, and a 52 for downhills and putting the hammer down. dont get me wrong compacts are great for most people, but personally I would prefer a Double or triple.
The 36/53 cranksets look a nice compromise when living in a hilly area.
While I do partially agree (I'm very much a fan of close ratios), the latest 11-speed cassettes make this less true than it once was. You can now get an 11-28 which offers pretty much the same gaps between gears as the 12-23 (9-speed) that I usually run or an 11-32 that's comparable to an 11-25.One of my bikes has a 52/39 with a 11-25, its great, ratios are nice and close.
One of my others has a 50/34 12-30, which is a bit of a pita , but covers all bases. I never go below 34/28 and the gaps between ratios are really really annoying! I use the bike for light touring and commuting , when I'm touring with some weight on the bike the big cassette helps more, but for comuteing the ratios are too spaced out. Therefore I would quite like a triple with a 52/42/32 and a 11-25 on the back. Then I get some nice a close ratios on the back for which I would be in the 42 ring 90% of the time and 32 ring on the front for climbing when loaded up, and a 52 for downhills and putting the hammer down. dont get me wrong compacts are great for most people, but personally I would prefer a Double or triple.
The 36/53 cranksets look a nice compromise when living in a hilly area.
Good points, I forgot about the latest 11 speeds.
What I would like to see is more cassettes with a 12 as their smallest cog. Very few people (except Okgo) need a gear that long and I'd much rather have an extra ratio in the middle of the cassette where I spend most of my time.
ChrisMCoupe said:
What rear cassette do you have?
If you are currently running a 42/52 Chainset up front, you would notice a big difference going to a 50/34 compact, you don't neccesarily need a triple. A 34 - 28 combination should see you up pretty much anything.
Chris, not that it matters - my Colnago/Record bike is pre-cassette era! It's got a freewheel - I bought it s/h with a corncob block in the mid-90s but when I moved to a hilly area in the late 90s replaced that with a larger range - the largest sprocket is 28, so a 34 would move my lowest gear from a 40.5 to a 32.8" wheel which, as you say, is a large difference. It's only the longer 1:12 to 1:11 hills that stop me on the 42/28 and the new bike would be a kilo or two lighter, so a compact may well be the way ahead.If you are currently running a 42/52 Chainset up front, you would notice a big difference going to a 50/34 compact, you don't neccesarily need a triple. A 34 - 28 combination should see you up pretty much anything.
Thanks Pablo, Shimano doesn't offend; I just like Campagnolo and when Ergopower replaced downtube levers (I still have a Holdsworth touring bike with those) I liked the brake/gear levers more than the Shimano alternative. I'd not heard of Middleburn but it looks as if that would make a nice British accompaniment to the Enigma.
Will be trying an Enigma with a Veloce or similar GSet tomorrow so will have some more to go on re. frame and ratios then.
Thanks all.
Update - tried the Enigma Etape with Veloce compact groupset; frame was great, light and comfortable, responsive but not twitchy, gear range sufficient; for those who know them, I did Claverton and Brassknocker hills in quick succession with no problem. However, have decided to get one with a triple - will allow for light touring in proper mountains if I wish and provide a granny backup as the children approach the age at which I may well become a grandpa!
Edited by Revisitph on Saturday 26th July 08:08
Edited by Revisitph on Sunday 27th July 08:29
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