Compact or Triple Chainset?

Arequipa

Hi! Hope you are all well! I am in the process of buying a racing bike for apprx 2k. I plan to do a lot of cycling in Ireland & cycle up the French Alps( d'Huez, Galibier etc) the Canaries ( Mount Teide) for 2/3 trips each year.
So would you recommend getting a triple or compact? Some of the Alpine climbs are over 12% gradient-might be too steep for a compact?

I hear modern compact setups have a bigger range of gears,lighter & easier to maintain!

Thanks for reading- I appreciate your feedback,


Arequipa

ednwireland

i rode in the jura this year and i was thankful that i had a triple !

but i am an overweight slob

its not the 12% the kills you its when it kicks up after 20km to that !!!

funkyjebus

triple. for ireland a double but for your madness you'll need a triple.

Billycake

I'm in the French Alps as I write having done the Galibier, Izoard etc in the last few days and I ride a compact when I'm here. Never had a problem but I do specifically train year round for my trips like this (and I have this strange liking for the peculiar pain associated with hard climbs - as do lots of cyclists I know). I'm here for two more weeks and will squeeze in a few more climbs while I'm at it.

Arequipa

Thank you for replying! I like the look of a a compact, think it is lighter & easier to maintain?! From what I remember of Alpe d'Huez- on a few bends I defo needed the granny gear.
Do most pro riders use compacts now?
I suppose they have such power & fitness that they can use the compact up in the mountains?!

tfrancer

I will not be climbing any Alps but has anyone had any experience yet of the SRAM Apex groupset? You have a choice of compact or double crankset, up to 32 teeth on the rear cassette, short or mid/long cage rear derailleur and crank-lengths up to 180mm. Apparently SRAM say that the 34/32 front/rear combo renders triples redundant. Chainreaction Cycles are selling the groupset at present but do not appear to have the 11 - 32 cassette available (or the mid/long rd at present).

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Kits.aspx?ModelID=51959

Captain Havoc

Triple

High Nellie

it's not possible to advise without you giving an indication of your weight and level of fitness etc.
It's a compact if you are fit enough and a triple if you are not.
The SRAM compact with up to 32 tooth gear sounds like a good compact option at first. However, it has been pointed out that on the long climbs one of the most important things is to have the 'right' gear - this may not be avialable with the big jumps with that SRAM.
Go for a compact with 27 rear if you are light and fit, and a triple otherwise. If it's the latter, I don't think there is much point in spending up to 2k on a light machine.