340driver
Reged: 12/06/2008
Posts: 36
Loc: Stratford-upon-Avon
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Often frowned upon I know but I am seriusly considering changing from a double to a triple 105 chainset and mech.I am new to cycling(6 months) and am really struggling with hills generally.I am 6'2" and weigh 13 1/2 stone and am riding a Trek Madone 4.5.I am cycling 100 miles per week but still find hills a real struggle to the point where I often have stop and either push or take a good long breather.On advise from my LBS I am thinking of making life a bit easier for myself and going triple.I have tried a different rear cassette(ultegra 28) but that hasn't helped much.I recently did the Circuit of the Cotswolds and spent most of my time walking the big hills(not on my own I hasten to add!).
Anyway just looking for thoughts and pros/cons before I make the move.
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bfergie
Reged: 19/04/2008
Posts: 1622
Loc: Wickerman land,Scotland
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First question is do you have a compact chainset(50-34) on at the moment? If not that would be the way to go, I have a triple and a compact and can get up the same hills on both, the ratio differance is not huge. If you go for a triple there is a slight drop in shifting performance as the middle ring has no stops, just the cable tension but set properly they work fine, weight wise there is not enough to bother with by having the extra ring!
A compact chainset looks much neater,no need to change any other parts and given time will get you all but the very worst of climbs. I am a stone heavier than you and can manage our 2.5mile, 850ft climb on the middle (39t) ring and 23t rear now but six months ago I needed a 30t-26t setup so go compact for the best of both worlds.
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VOTE PENGUIN!!!
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Sly
Reged: 07/02/2008
Posts: 730
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No shame in needing either a compact or a triple. I was advised to get a double, but the bloke who advised me used to be a specialist climber! I soon realised I was not strong enough to get up steep hills on a double and added a compact. As the penguin fancier said, you don't need to change anything so it's an obvious and easy thing to try. I picked up a campag compact off ebay, brand new, from the states for about £35 including shipping, and you'll probably find Shimano ones cheaper still.
What sprockets have you got at the back? Adding a couple of granny rings will help with the hills too. Do some searching on here and you'll no doubt find dozens of topics concerning gearing. Good luck with it!
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Bear
Reged: 01/02/2007
Posts: 132
Loc: Bakewell
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Go for the compact as the others said.
I decided on a triple because of the hills, the only problem is I feel a bit of a whimp when i have to go down to the little ring, so I often dont use it and continue to struggle. With a compact you only have two choices and no mind games.
Bear
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thatwomanagain
Reged: 30/07/2006
Posts: 1959
Loc: Hugh Porter country...
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I use a triple and don't have any hang-ups about being a wimp when I go down to the little ring. Wimp and proud of it!
But I do think that I'd do as well with a compact as long as it had very low gears as there are very few circumstances when I use the largest ring as I live in a bit of a hilly area and only use the back roads.
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hubbub
Reged: 22/10/2007
Posts: 517
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If you're doing long rides in hill country that granny ring at the front is a get out of jail card. We've all had times when we've hit the wall 30 miles from home with a headwind or a huge climb in the way. So it's unfashionable - who cares?
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Bear
Reged: 01/02/2007
Posts: 132
Loc: Bakewell
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True, did that in spectacular fashion last year two rides same route up to Castleton and back, first time comming out of Hathersage toward Fox House, refused to drop to the little one and had to stop FIVE times. It's not that much of a hill. The following week as I was sure no-one was watching I dropped down and did it with ease.
My therapist says I have to stop worrying what people think of me!!
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yellowcycleman
Reged: 02/07/2008
Posts: 2
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I'd recommend a compact chainset . I've just done the Maratona Dles Dolomites ride using a 50/34 chainset and 12/27 cassette and it certainly helped . I was frequently using my 25 and 27 but didn't need anymore gears.
Hope this helps.
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hubbub
Reged: 22/10/2007
Posts: 517
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The Surprise View climb out of Hathersage is OK, - it's the bit from the Toad's Mouth up to Fox House corner that kicks you in the goolies because most people think they've finished the climb. Then they're faced with a stretch which feels far worse than it looks! 
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340driver
Reged: 12/06/2008
Posts: 36
Loc: Stratford-upon-Avon
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Hi all.Thanks for the replies.I am on a shimano 105 compact 50/34 chainset with an ultegra 12/27 cassette.Obviously as my fitness improves hopefully my climbing skills will but at the moment I am finding it a bit of a struggle as I live in the depths of the Cotswolds.Maybe use a triple now and change to a compact at a later date?Expensive option I know but my LBS are willing to buy back my compact set at a good price.
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bfergie
Reged: 19/04/2008
Posts: 1622
Loc: Wickerman land,Scotland
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Keep your compact, don't trade it in and buy a cheap triple if your going down that road but with a 34 front and 27 rear you should get up most hills with a bit of practice, a triple gives you 30t front which isn't a huge differance. I would buy a turbo trainer instead with the money if you don't have one and within a month of using that each night for 45 mins the compact will feel plenty low geared for you!
Good luck
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VOTE PENGUIN!!!
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Sly
Reged: 07/02/2008
Posts: 730
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Quote:
Hi all.Thanks for the replies.I am on a shimano 105 compact 50/34 chainset with an ultegra 12/27 cassette.Obviously as my fitness improves hopefully my climbing skills will but at the moment I am finding it a bit of a struggle as I live in the depths of the Cotswolds.Maybe use a triple now and change to a compact at a later date?Expensive option I know but my LBS are willing to buy back my compact set at a good price.
If you have a 50/34 then yes you're already using a Compact so triple is therefore the only option. If the LBS are willing to do it without it hitting your wallet too hard, then go for it. Your 27 at the back should be sufficient for v steep sections. If you're struggling, even a little change might make the difference between hating the hills and enjoying your riding, which is what it's all about ultimately.
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340driver
Reged: 12/06/2008
Posts: 36
Loc: Stratford-upon-Avon
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Sly.Totally agree.Enjoyment is what it is all about.Dreading the big hills near me and not being able to get up them is completely demoralising me.Hopefully a 105 compact triple will help me out until I get fitter and build up the strength and miles in my legs.I presume 105 is the way to go as far as triple compacts are concerned.It has been muted that Dura Ace is a good triple option but is it really worth the expense???
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Sly
Reged: 07/02/2008
Posts: 730
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Cannot comment on the Shimano stuff, but I'm sure someone else will be along soon to advise.
Don't let those hills get you down! I live surrounded by them so there's no escape. You learn to love them when you know you have them beaten! Don't look to avoid them, and if you have to get off and walk, do it and try for a little bit further then next time - you'll get stronger the more you ride them! I asked for advice on hill climbing techniques a while back, and basically the guys were right - riding more hills more often is the only way to get better at them.
Maybe the problem is that you're expecting it to be easier than it is ever going to be. When I ride up 25% gradients, I literally crawl up! It's a balancing act, it's that slow! Some can power over these climbs, but take a look at this . Notice how many riders are on walking up that hill? I'd guess at least half. Don't think you're doing badly - it's more than likely you're just normal!
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340driver
Reged: 12/06/2008
Posts: 36
Loc: Stratford-upon-Avon
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Thanks sly.Great link.
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bfergie
Reged: 19/04/2008
Posts: 1622
Loc: Wickerman land,Scotland
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If you have a 10 speed then you have to go to the 105 but if its a 9 speed a tiagra triple will do just fine and save you a fortune. Dura ace is not worth it at this level.
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VOTE PENGUIN!!!
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340driver
Reged: 12/06/2008
Posts: 36
Loc: Stratford-upon-Avon
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Just had a 105 compact triple fitted.Been out onto the dreaded big hills nearby and managed them without stopping.What a great confidence booster it is knowing you have a get out of jail gear to slip into.No doubt as my fitness improves the triple will become less of a neccessity but for now it is fantastic!!!
I dont care who sees me riding with it.For now it is the right choice.
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bfergie
Reged: 19/04/2008
Posts: 1622
Loc: Wickerman land,Scotland
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Well done, I hope it goes well and you start looking for bigger and bigger hills!!
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VOTE PENGUIN!!!
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ironmandave
Reged: 03/01/2007
Posts: 282
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Hi
on my race bile I always use a triple, I can then use a 12-21 on the back - no missed gears.
I have the ration
52 (12/13/14/15/16/17/18)
39 (12/13/14/15/16/17/18/19)
30 (15/16/17/18/19/20/21) - I prefer a slightly longer chain so the 30 kicks in at 15!
Winter training is on a 52/39 to get strength.
PS I use a dura ace triple and find it excellent !
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hubbub
Reged: 22/10/2007
Posts: 517
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Mine's 48/38/26 X 11-26 if anyone has the exact sizes for the SRAM 10. I did work the ratios out before I built it but I can't find the notes now.  
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