"Steve Gerdemann" <
[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> I'm going to buy a new bike soon (probably a Specallized Allez Elite). Should I buy the triple or
> stay with a double. I've always ridden doubles including riding a 100 mile tour that featured
> 10,000 feet of climbing. Occasionally it would be nice to have a lower gear but I understand
> doubles shift better. I know almost everybody is going with the triple even on higher end road
> bikes. Am I just being retro and should go for the triple?
>
>
> Steve Gerdemann
There might be few reasons you need a triple, but there are more reasons why you might want a
triple. Maybe if there are any long steep climbs near 20% and maybe at the end of a long ride where
you are wasted and you need to climb 20%, especially since you ride doubles which I consider are for
the ultra insane. I have never liked riding doubles, just singles and after 80 miles of climbing
sometimes you grimmage at a big climb at the end of a hard ride. Other reasons might be putting on
cross tires where you can do some steep sections on cross rides, which I doubt you will do with a
new road bike but I used to do it with mine until I bought a Mountain Bike. Also depends on if you
live in areas that might have extremely steep sections or eratic climbs here and there. I had a
mavic triple one time just for fun, I just wanted to fool with it and try it out. Try a triple if
you want and change back to a double if it doesn't suit you. Doesn't mean you are a ***** by amy
stretch of the imagination, especially for those who are poor climbers with poor stamina and
endurance on long climbs. I don't know what your stamina or endurance levels, climbing ability is,
etc. but if you have some extra pocket change, give it a try for fun and see if it suits you.
Another reason you might want a triple is if your girlfriend is besides you holding onto your seat
while you pull her up the climb!
Bruce