Giro tech: Contador goes Apex

joemmo wrote:

the double looks cleaner but I prefer the triple for the range and the fact that 80% of the gears I use are on the 39T ring. Idefinitely do more double shifting on the compact

These are the reasons I've stuck with my triple to date.

SRAM are using the 'triples are dead' angle for marketing but if a dedicated road wide range cassette gets people riding then I don't mind. There's room for both options.

GrimpeurChris wrote:

It's a lighter option than a triple.

So is only half-filling a water bottle or having a pee before you start the climb. Don't believe the hype - the reduction in weight (200g?) by losing the third chainring is insignificant, even on big hills. For a 70kg rider on 10kg bike it's 0.2% of total weight.

The talk of lower Q-factor is marketing speak too, as the the modified pedals on Cavendish's Giro bike demonstrate.

You shouldn't be cycling at all if you can't ride through the peaks on a 42/21. Before you sort out your bike, you must first chainge yourself

I never realised we had Gear Ratio Nazis hanging around!

You're 'fit', yay for you. Don't start telling people they shouldn't be riding if they're not to your 'high standard'.

Whatever gear you need to push to get you out on a bike is just fine.

@velo_alex

The Nazis could award you the Irony Cross.

shuttie92 wrote:

You shouldn't be cycling at all if you can't ride through the peaks on a 42/21. Before you sort out your bike, you must first change yourself

I'm taking this as irony.

I really like this story. If elite athletes need this gearing on extreme climbs, then it is a reasonable choice for riders like me on lesser hills.

shuttie92 wrote:

You shouldn't be cycling at all if you can't ride through the peaks on a 42/21. Before you sort out your bike, you must first chainge yourself

Well, since it's worded almost exaclty as the bit in the first post I see no other way but to take this as sarcasm/funny.

shuttie92 wrote:

You shouldn't be cycling at all if you can't ride through the peaks on a 42/21. Before you sort out your bike, you must first chainge yourself

I hope you dont mean that...it would be a shame if you did.

1961-
For me I've found that I love the compact with the 34/25 being the easiest gear, I use a 12-25 so still get close ratios which I like. If the 34/25 gear isn't enough, you might want to try a 27 cassette, the difference is 1.36 to 1.26, so you'll be moving one tenth of a revolution more for the same distance. (I think my rational is right there but excuse me if not!)
basically that might help and is easy to do as most rear mechs should accept the 27 no probs.
Otherwise it might not be a bad idea to consider a bike with a triple.

1961BikiE wrote:

I'm seriously considering changing my Ultegra mech for a med cage XT so I can get a 32 tooth sprocket. My problem being only the peak district hills, but then I am hauling 106kg (hopefully at the moment but even if I hit my target I'll still be 95kg). I can actually get up hills on 34/25 the trouble being my back spasms after too long grinding and so I really need lower gears to restore a spin which I can easily keep up.

I'm sure some one will be along soon to tell me I have not right to be cycling if I can't ride though the peaks on a 42/21 low gear.

I do exactly this, except I managed to find a lovely Dura-ace long cage mech. Its great. I expect the 'mashers' will all be needing knee replacement surgery in the future!