Double vs Triple

Historically, road bikes were doubles.  Road triples came later.  Usually you can only find them on the entry level bikes as Shimano didn't make a triple in Dura-Ace until 2002 and it's a non-standard size.  Higher end bikes will use a compact crank (a double with a smaller bolt pattern and smaller chainrings) to get the lower gearing that a triple allows.

I like my triple.  It's well adjusted and helps me on my morning commute up Burnaby mountain.  Triples give you an extra couple of gears on the low end compared to a standard double.  In exchange, they are fussier to set up (some people claim they are impossible), heavier, and have a wider spacing between the pedals which can bother some peoples knees.  Compact doubles give nearly the same low gearing as a triple and the same high gear as a standard double, but are lighter and less finicky.  The large jump from the big to the small ring makes them a little more prone to dumping the chain than a standard double but that can be dealt with.

NeilsWheel - 2009-07-14 11:13 AM I have two places I ride where there is a sustained climb of over 12% grade for over a mile.  I use my triple for this. If I didn't have these two hills I would have a double.

Palo Duro Canyon south of Claude, Tx has some tough climbs.  This is near where they filmed Hud and the last scene in Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade.

This is a picture I found on Google earth of the last 1/2 mile of a climb that's almost 2 miles long and has a 12 to 13% grade.  I use the triple on this.  I could probably do it with a double if it wasn't so long.

There must be wind and solar farms in that area!  Go break some so I can get my work to ship me out there with my bike!