Triple setup

[Red Hawk]

I have a lightspeed vela bike that is three years old. It’s ready to have a major overhaul done on it, but they components are basic shimano 105’s and with a FSA crank as well as no name brake calibers.

My question is, I go a great deal on a 8 piece upgrade that includes levers, crank, derailers front and back, chain, and cassette, even cables and housing. I wondered if it’s really worth going from a double to a triple, do or are more cyclist doing this now? I see a lot of pro or even good cyclists still riding on doubles. I do know that the triple set up is relatively new to road cycling.

I’m at a good skill level where I can conquer any mountain on a double set up now, but I know having a triple is a few MPH faster up hill, but is this whole thing worth the money?

If your wondering what the setup was that I bought, it's the all 2008 Shimano ultergra SL parts.

[SheDevil]

Ack...uhm. Triples are for new cyclists usually, so you might have your impression backward, (which is normal for me with mtb's as I'm new to those). Also...climbing would be slower not faster...liken it to standing up on your pedals vs spinning. Spinning is slower but easier right? (Mind you they make a hill easier....but they are not on pro bikes)

http://cgi.ebay.com/Vintage-TA-tripl...QQcmdZViewItem


Shows an old triple

[Von-Skipp]

Defintely go with the Double setup. Look's cleaner and will make you stronger rider. If you really want a low gear ratio go with compact gears.

[Abui]

Originally Posted by Red Hawk

I have a lightspeed vela bike that is three years old. It’s ready to have a major overhaul done on it, but they components are basic shimano 105’s and with a FSA crank as well as no name brake calibers.

My question is, I go a great deal on a 8 piece upgrade that includes levers, crank, derailers front and back, chain, and cassette, even cables and housing. I wondered if it’s really worth going from a double to a triple, do or are more cyclist doing this now? I see a lot of pro or even good cyclists still riding on doubles. I do know that the triple set up is relatively new to road cycling.

I’m at a good skill level where I can conquer any mountain on a double set up now, but I know having a triple is a few MPH faster up hill, but is this whole thing worth the money?

If your wondering what the setup was that I bought, it's the all 2008 Shimano ultergra SL parts.

If you got a great deal is it less cost than a double setup? Triple cranks have traditionally been used on touring bikes burdened with panniers. But there's nothing wrong with having a triple. You can use the granny on the occasion when you bonk.

[allison]

Justin and I just got road bikes a year ago and went with the compact double. No real reason for a triple unless you're climbing in the Sierras everyday.

[jeffj]

A lot of road riders like to have the same setup as other riders so they can match cadence when riding close together in a group.

If you are already able to climb anything you ride with the double, there's not much reason to go to the triple unless you want to make the climbing easier by spinning vs. mashing.

Some folks get caught up in the "I have to do what everyone else does" syndrome, but if you feel the need for a triple, go for it. Better to have it if you need it, than not. There are plenty of good cyclists that ride triples. Always remember, it's the indian, not the arrow.

The Ultegra triple has the same 52-39 bigger chainrings as the double, it just has the additional 30t for a bail out on steep climbs. OTOH, if vanity is important, you really see NO need for a bail out gear and you want to have exactly what the 'cool riders' have, exchange for the double.

It's no skin off my nads, I just don't see why anyone looks down their nose at someone that rides with a triple as long as they don't hold up the group if they are on 'that kind of ride'.

Ultegra brakes are excellent. You should see improvement over the no-names.

The way I see it is, the bigest difference is that you'll be going to a 10 speed cassette, which gives you an additional gear to fine tune your cadence and match that of the other riders in a group should you feel the need.

Being that it appears you already bought the kit, there's not much point in discussing crank arm length or the merits of triple vs. double though.

And there is alway the R700 double if you want to have a slightly easier small chainring.

[Red Hawk]

Funny thing is though, Well I bought the kit off Ebay. I found a used Double kit that was going for a few hundred. I bought this entire set up for $700, maybe I could trade it for a entire double set up? I have never had a big struggle climbing on my double, I usually do 4-6000 feet climbs on my setup now.

[2wheel_lee]

Originally Posted by jeffj

And there is alway the R700 double if you want to have a slightly easier small chainring.

Well said on everything else, too. If the guy got a deal on triple stuff, great! If he wants to be trendy (only slightly different than the "hipster" crowd), simply remove the granny ring and adjust the limit stops of the derailleur. It would look and perform the same as any other double.

The new Ultegra SL is available in compact, just like R700.

For those who don't know the difference between compact and "standard," the compact setup allows you to run a 34 small chainring with usually a 50 big ring, whereas "standard" is 39 small and 52/53 large. The smallest aftermarket ring that will fit on the standard Shimano 130 is a 38.

[slowSSer]

Originally Posted by 2wheel_lee

For those who don't know the difference between compact and "standard," the compact setup allows you to run a 34 small chainring with usually a 50 big ring, whereas "standard" is 39 small and 52/53 large. The smallest aftermarket ring that will fit on the standard Shimano 130 is a 38.

thanks! I've been wrenching for a long time and could never answer that question....not that it's asked much

[2wheel_lee]

Just to further clarify. The compact pattern has a bolt circle diameter of 110 mm. "Standard" is 130 mm, and Campy is 135 mm. The diameter is what limits how small the small (or middle) ring can be.

[Sewellymon]

I run a compact crank.

I'd love to run a triple, but I'd look like a geek....

[TooManyTacos]

Let me know if you have old parts that you might want to sell. I got some great deals from 2wheel_lee but am still looking for a few things to finish everything up.

As for my roadbikes, I've always run triple ring setups because that's what they had on the bike. I don't think anybody's really scrutinized my setup that closely--they're just surprised a guy as fat as me can even pedal the bike!

[jeffj]

Originally Posted by Sewellymon

I run a compact crank.

I'd love to run a triple, but I'd look like a geek....

Learn to embrace your "inner Fred". The ridicule only hurts for a little while

[Tortuga]

gonna have a used triple Ultegra crankset and 12-25 cassette for sale in about 10 days...i"m going compact double. I think you save some weight when you make this switch, too.