3x9 or 2x10 compact?

[familyguy]

Dilemma: 3x9 or 2x10 compact for a build

What: Fuji Touring (from hartleymartin)
Why: Commute with a rack instead of a backpack
Where: Nothing so hilly that it cant be climbed on a roadie in 39/23 or 39/25 sitting down

I notice a few tourer/commuter setups here that run either option. What are the thoughts here? Increased range and more escape-clause gearing on a triple? Simpler setup for a double compact?

Either way, some bits I've got, some I've got to buy.

Jim

[rkelsen]

Hey Jimbo,

You've sorta answered your own questions there.

Top of my shortlist for a replacement group (when current bits wear out) is Sram Apex. 50/34 compact double with a 12-32 cassette (optionally 11-32).

That gives about the same range as a triple anyway: 2.23m to 8.75m. My current setup (with a triple) gives 2.26m to 8.40m.

[familyguy]

Hmm, yeah, I kinda did.

Steps between gearing doest worry my a whole lot. If its too fast for one gear, just go slower. I'm not doing fully loaded touring on it, so major hills with 30kg of gear isnt going to happen either.

I've got a 9-speed 12-27 that I could start with, and with that on a compact gives me 2.7m to 8.9m with 0.3 to 0.5m steps across the range. Put a 13-32 and you only gain a 2.3m gear. Not much really.

Jim

[rkelsen]

Agreed. With the cassettes available these days, there is no need for a triple. You can get a compact double with a cassette which has an 11 or 12 tooth top gear and still have plenty of legs at > 50kph.

[Boognoss]

Agreed. With the cassettes available these days, there is no need for a triple. You can get a compact double with a cassette which has an 11 or 12 tooth top gear and still have plenty of legs at > 50kph.

+1

50/34 with 11-28 on the commuter

vs.

53/39 with 12-27 on the roadie

I find the extra low and high gears on the commuter are great for climbing with two full panniers and spinning out descending on motorway shoulders.