The_Eggman wrote:Lo All
Next roadie may be coming from Europe, so a triple is a serious option on the new steed.
I'm also trying to do the three peaks (
http://www.backoffalls.blogspot.com.au/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;) next year and was striving to improve my climbing. I already have a compact crankset and a 12-28. Will a triple make a massive difference to my capacity to climb steep stuff? I do tend to blow up when it get above 11% for more than a very short burst, so Hotham and the Back of Falls scare me. Hopefully my climbing gets better over the year, and the weight goes south. Nonetheless, is a triple a good idea for really steep stuff?
FWIW, have done loads of 200km+ rides (mostly audax - not the ones mentioned by you though).
My first two roadies had triples, then my now dedicated audax/endurance bike came with 53/39, I went compact 50/34 and now super compact 46/30 13-29 (campy - already had a spare 13-29, but will probably get 12-30 next time). There is a local audax ride with a ~750M 20% climb which I have ridden with 30/25, 39/29, 34/29 and 30/29. Guess which one was easier...?
Yes, makes a difference to climbing. Less muscle fatigue, which leaves more for the flats . I can climb 20% seated, but feeling like doing a wheely the whole time
, so generally stand for a bit too.
Can't sprint with 46/13, but I can't sprint at the end of a 200km+ ride anyway. If you can sprint at the end of 3 peaks <we're not worthy> and I'd be surprised that you are asking this question.
My fastest 200km nominal (actually 210km IIRC) was done with the super compact - FWIW, 27km/h, 8:15 elapsed (this is what counts for audax), ~2500M climbing and ~70% solo. For most mortals, like my freddly self, the top gears clearly do not matter so much for long endurance rides.
My choice would be to get a superduperalpine - super compact (46/30 Sugino OX601D - uses a standard shimano HT2 BB, so you should be able to swap out and drop the FD a few mm - no need to cut the cable or anything) and go a 12-30 or 12-32 cassette. Probably no need to get anything else... longer rear derailleur or just don't cross chain maybe. With a triple you are looking at almost a complete new drive train. You'll cruise up the steep bits with less fatigue. Tuck in and rest on descents. Plenty enough top gears for cruising the flats.
Unless of course you think you are going to sprint at the end