triple or compact

shamrock55

could someone tell me which is better for hill climbs a triple or compact roadbike
thanking you;)

Surveyor11

Triple can go down the some rediculously low gears, so if you're new to cycling would maybe go for this set up. As you get fitter, a compact double will work just as well. There's a bit of snobbery on here about triples:rolleyes:, but have to say I was glad with that granny ring on trips up them there hills!:pac:

Doc Daneeka

Right one for hills? Hmmm. Now, if the question was which is more manly and cool.... then it will be a compact. You may suffer a little on the hills for this decision...

shamrock55

lot of hills where i am so being manly to me is just getting up em and not how cool i look doing it so triple it is thanks guys:D

Leroy42

Which is better, left or right?

There is no correct answer to your op, it all depends in so many factors, which even if you were able to detail them would still leave you with a massive factor called personal fit.

Standard double, compact or triple, then add the variety of rear cassette, type of bike, gradient and length of hill, endurance levels, power output, fitness level, required speed.....a personal taste.

I use a compact, once I changed from a standard I never thought about going back as it seems to suit my fastish and low power pedal. Next guy, probably faster, used a standard.

In the end it is all about gear ratios. A compact with a large rear cassette is.more than enough for most, but nothing wrong with a triple.

happytramp

Leroy42 wrote: »

Which is better, left or right?

There is no correct answer to your op, it all depends in so many factors, which even if you were able to detail them would still leave you with a massive factor called personal fit.

Except that left is clearly better.

loinnsigh

I asked the same question a few weeks ago: http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2056576610

My main concern was that if I decided to go for a triple (which was recommended to me as a newbie), my choice of lovely bikes was limited. All the ones I liked were compacts.

Thanks to advice from the helpful folk on here I did my gear-ratio sums and figured out that some compacts actually have lower climbing ratios than some triples. Add to that the fact that I don't like faffing about with too many gears and I decided to opt for a compact.

3 weeks and 200km on and I'm very happy with my decision . The lowest gear has not yet been needed (even on some decent climbs), but it's good to know it's there if I need it.

alexanderomahon

Depends on your age, weight and level of fitness. I'm 49, now down to around 14 stone and can do 100k+ on the flat now without too much of a problem.

All that said I have a compact and really suffer on the bigger hills. I really wish I had had a triple going up the cut during the lap of laois.

I'm sure as i continue to improve on the bike then the hills will get more manageable, but at this point I wish i had a triple.

Signal_ rabbit

I have a triple but I know of some compacts with the same gearing so its horses for courses.

I get a bit of slagging about having a triple but who cares, I very rarely use the inner ring but its there if ever I want it.

Over 200k into a cycle and you hit a cat 4........I am glad I went for a triple!

macnab

There is only a tiny difference between a tripple with a 25 on the back and a compact with a 28 on the back (30/25 ratio is 1.2, 34/28 ratio is 1.21) consider that a tripple has extra weight due to 1 extra chain wheel, and front derraileurs on tripple setups can be problematic.

triggermortis

I have a compact and a triple. I took the triple to Zurich for commuting, and as its hillier I might need the extra ring on the odd spin I intend to do.
I hardly used any gears when I lived in Ashbourne, but since moving to Monaghan I'm heading for RSI with the amount of gear changes I'm doing now, and I find the compact well geared enough for this area.
Like has been said, its more personal preference. Try and get a lend of both types before you decide and buy

smacl

Agree with macnab that FD setup on a triple can be a PITA. That said, having a very low gear or two can be a blessing. Passed a fair few walking up SM and SE on the WW200 last year.

07Lapierre

When it comes to gearing and hills. "Its better to have it and not need it than to need it and not have it!"

Briain O Loinsigh

My new bike is a double and I'm unfit at the moment. What I like most about my gears is they change smoothly ,howth head is tough for me but I'm getting quicker each time.

Im 100kg so heavy enough aswell.