Right on Grandpa!

I currently ride a double 52-42 x 14-28 - and it's a 5-speed cassette. I bought the bike in the days when that seemed like a lot and I find it still gives me enough gears for most occasions.

After reading this thread, I'm definitely going for a triple on my next bike with a smaller range on the cassette - I reckon something like 50-40-28 x 12-21 should give me the kind of range I require, with a bigger top gear than I currently have and a smaller bottom gear. I think I need it - I'm not in great shape, my knees are dodgy and racing hard is not a concern. But I do like climbing.

I'm using triple as there're plenty of hills here, Ultegra 52 - 42 - 30, rear 11 - 23t. Well I'm not a racer just like to ride and enjoy the scenery .

I have a triple with a 12-25 cassette and don't care what you think. My knees are still in good shape and I get to do some stunning climbs even with my fat 230 lbs backside.

I am glad to see a lot of common sense coming from this discussion. This is my 50th year riding european racing bikes. I have written that I have a triple and a double and enjoy both. When ever I see any impuning the macho factor in a triple I just have to think about the good old days when we had 10 spds and the lowest gear you could have was a 42 by 21, now that is manly in the mountains...and we all rode 'em with great enjoyment on the steepest of California hills including the infamous Tuna Cyn Rd which is the steepest and longest hill I have ever ridden. However, technology has made great improvements in frame materials, gearing, Ergo/STI levers, and the triple (Yeah I know they have been around for a long time, but...). Just enjoy the technology! Oh, yeah didn't a guy from a some pro team use a triple last season and kick some serious butt in the mts... The world always has had poseurs and today ain't any different.

Road Bike #1: Dura-Ace double (9-Speed)

Road Bike #2: Ritchey double (New Dura-Ace double in the box)

Mountain Bike #1: Shimano LX triple

Mountain Bike #2: Shimano XT triple

Didn't even know they made doubles for mountain bikes. I knew they made singles for downhill specific bikes.

That's why I'm here. I learn something new every day.

Road Bike: 53/39 with 13/26

Mtn Bike: 50/38/26 with 12/28 (slick tires)

Mtn Bike: 50/38/26 with 13/30 (knobbies)

If I'm going to be trying some serious climbing I just ride my mountain bike with the slick tires. Maybe if I had three road bikes I would build one with a triple.

Dave I've got 50-40-28 x 12-21 and it is a great setup.
I hate climbing (well only since I gave up cycling seriously and tried to come back after 15 years !) but this setup makes life a lot easier for people like me who are just back in to the sport.

If you like ALWAYS having the PERFECT gear, climb, downhill, whatever, get a triple and a corncob cassette. The triple takes more attention, but I'll trade having to tune the FD for always having the perfect gear in mixed terrain.

Dura-Ace double on my tri-bike, Ultegra double on my cyclocross and a Tiagra Triple on my trekking bike.

I've chosen double because I never used that litthe chainweel.

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Bike1: Giant MCR1 Full-Carbon, Dura-Ace Complete 2x9 Titanium, Ksyrium SSC, Syntace aerobar, Schwalbe Blizzard
Bike2 : Tsunami, Sintema Muddy Carbon, Ultegra 2x9, Avid8 Titanium, Shimano WR545, Vitoria Master Cross
Bike3: Schwinn Pro spinning bike

dubs baby! 53/42 and 53/39 depending.

does anybody ride a single on their time trial bike?

I have a triple but I swear I never have used the smallest ring, its removable, should i ditch it?

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-Brian

just find steeper hills:-)

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Regards Michael

Never argue with an idiot. They drag you down to their level then beat you with experience.

double - soon to be compact double