"Bruce" <
[email protected]> wrote in message news:<
[email protected]>...
> Changing the cogs to a 12-27 is very easy - only buy the new cogs and switch them. To get even
> lower gears with a double you can use a 12-34, and then you will only need to change to rear
> derailer to a mountain der if it's not already.
>
> To change to a triple you usually need a new shifter/brifter, a new bottom bracket with longer
> spindle, a new right arm and at least the third ring (sometimes you need to replace the middle
> ring to get all the fancy grooves and bumps that improve shifting the triple), and maybe a new
> rear derailer to handle the slack of the chain.
>
> But with a triple you usually go with a middle ring that you use most of the time, so then you
> shift the front a little less. That depends on your shifting style and the terrain you ride.
>
> My preference: a double and then I change the cogs to suit my needs. I use a 12-27 for the local
> very steep hills. 10 to 15% is common around here. For touring I used to put a touring crank on
> with only a double but with a 46-34 or 48-34 combined with a 12-28. But now I use the 12-34 cogs
> with my 50-38 up front.
>
> -Bruce
>
> > "rtsy" <
[email protected]> wrote in message
> >
news:[email protected]...
> > > The easiest combination on my road bike is a 39 teeth on front and 23 teeth on rear.
> > >
> > > How different woud a change to a triple on front be to a change to a 27 tooth cassette on the
> > > rear be?
> > >
> > > Thanks!
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > > --
> > >
> >
> >
......................well, if he has shimano 9 speed other than DA, the front shifts a double or
triple. Also, campy Ergo fronts shift a double or triple.