With simple front derailleur adjustment, a triple shifts as well as a double crankset. Triple cranks can accept a 24 tooth inner chainring. This is significantly lower than the 34 tooth on a compact. Significantly lower gearing is possible with a triple. Or you can run the 24 inner ring and have a tight rear cassette for better riding on the middle and big rings. To get semi low gearing with a compact you must run a cassette with huge jumps between cogs. Pathetic. Apex does have a 32 cog in back. And of course the huge jumps between cogs. Pathetic. And of course the 32 rear cog will likely not work on most if not all racing bikes. The rear derailleur will not be low enough to clear the big cog. Dropouts on racing bikes are designed for much smaller rear cogs and to clear them only. Not for huge mountain bike rear cogs. So for all the people who think they can get low gears with the new Apex, won't happen. If you want low gears, get a triple crankset.oroy38 said:Triples can have some wonky shifts, and don't provide any bigger gearing advantages than a compact double. With SRAM Apex coming out, the triple is going to become pretty much obsolete.
Really depends on your weight and the terrain you'll be riding on - so you might want to specify those two.amartko said:Hello all,
I have been mountain biking for 2 seasons and want to get into road biking as well. I am looking into a 2010 Specialized Allez Sport, my question is what are the pros and cons between a double or triple? Thanks.
Yeah, but in my experience, they are tougher to adjust correctly and seem to go out of whack more often.RussellS said:With simple front derailleur adjustment, a triple shifts as well as a double crankset.
Not all that true. If your triple doesn't work it's not set up properly, or it's Shimano road stuff (landfill). I just finished a week long loaded (moderately) ride in Northwest WI. I run a Campy triple 52-38-26 with an 8 speed cassette. (old bike) The 26 is a bail out, but gets used now and then. Plus, if you really need to bail, a 30 may not be enough.oroy38 said:Triples are heavier, can have some wonky shifts, and don't provide any bigger gearing advantages than a compact double. A compact double with a 12-25 rear cassette should be able to get you over most, if not all, climbs just as well as a triple, but save you some weight. With SRAM Apex coming out, the triple is going to become pretty much obsolete.
Well I guess SRAM's marketing is working on some folks!oroy38 said:With SRAM Apex coming out, the triple is going to become pretty much obsolete.
Wouldn't be too quick to look badly on Shimano. There's a reason their components sell so well, and it's not just advertising. That said, the only Shimano product I've ever had trouble with was my old Schwinn Fastback with a Shimano Triple.oily666 said:Not all that true. If your triple doesn't work it's not set up properly, or it's Shimano road stuff (landfill). I just finished a week long loaded (moderately) ride in Northwest WI. I run a Campy triple 52-38-26 with an 8 speed cassette. (old bike) The 26 is a bail out, but gets used now and then. Plus, if you really need to bail, a 30 may not be enough.
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Go figure. SRAM Red is all I run on my current bikes and I haven't looked back.gtpharr said:Well I guess SRAM's marketing is working on some folks!