"A Muzi" <
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> "Michael" <
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>
news:[email protected]...
> > I'm getting my first road triple and have to spec the gear sizes. I currently ride 53/39 with
> > 9-speed 12-27 cassette on my double. I decided to spec the triple to handle the occasional
> > mountain ride and for winter riding, where the bike and my legs just don't seem to work as well.
> >
> > I'll be getting a 105 crankset, presumably the 52/42/30. What a typical cassette to match
> > with it?
> Start over with an Ergo system. You get a nicely integrated system that was designed for use with
> double or triple and everything mixes and matches very well. Cassettes up to 28 and a standard
> inner chainring format ( same as your 105 actually) down to 26t.
I like Ergo too, but that's an awful lot of money to spend for a mere gearing change. That's sort of
like trading in your brand new Volvo for an SUV, just because you need snow tires.
> There's also a strong argument for ditching the big ring. In that scenario you use a Sugino or
> Ritchey crank with standard ring format and run something like 28-38-48.
Here's my suggestion. Since one of the most expensive parts is the STI front brifter, why not try to
stick with a double? How about a 34-46 crank, and an XT cassette, either 11-32, or 12-34? All this,
including a new rear derailer, should cost no more than $150-200, or less if you shop aggressively.
It might not be as peloton-fashionable, but it'll work. The lowest gears are similar to the triple
arrangement you're considering. The triple offers tighter gaps, but how tight do you really need?
> Spend some quality time with a gear chart before you go much further in this.
http://www.sheldonbrown.com/gears/
Sure, why not. However, modern drivetrains have so many gears that gaps shouldn't be a problem, even
with really wide-range setups. 12-15% between gears is just fine. I think the "double-wide" is a
good option these days. It's certainly the easiest and cheapest conversion.
Matt O.