2 x 10 or 3 x 8 (20 v 24 speed) ??

[Ceejay]

Which do you guys prefer, are there any noticeable differences, does the 2 x 10 lose out, if at all ?

Or is it 3 x 9 and nothing else matters ?

 

[RecordAceFromNew]

Ahhh how long is a piece of string... Many like their single speed... I like my 1x8, 2x8 and 3x8 - it allows me to swap wheels (and therefore cassettes/tyres for different terrains in mix and match) within seconds.

It depends on what it is for what terrain and what you want, close ratio, wide range, boy racer fashionable, hard man image etc etc...

 

[SatNavSaysStraightOn]

I've just gone from a triple 8 speed to a compact 10 speed and I prefer the compact 10 speed even after only having had the new bike 10 days or so... but that is my road bike. My mtb is different and my tourer a geared hub, so different yet again....

 

[Ceejay]

Hmm ok,

So if I said fairly flat terrain, few hills and road surface would that be any help to you guys ?

Thanks for the 2 replies so far, most informative.

 

[cosmicbike]

Whilst all mine (MTB, hybrid and road) are all triples, the next road will be a compact double (2 x 10). I don't use the granny ring on the road triple anymore, and probably could have managed without it from day 1.
I'm pretty sure if you have a compact and a 30-12 (or similar) cassette you will still have a decent low gear for the proper hills...

 

[Ceejay]

Whilst all mine (MTB, hybrid and road) are all triples, the next road will be a compact double (2 x 10). I don't use the granny ring on the road triple anymore, and probably could have managed without it from day 1.
I'm pretty sure if you have a compact and a 30-12 (or similar) cassette you will still have a decent low gear for the proper hills...

Many thanks, great help.

 

[Ceejay]

A friend of mine is actually looking for one.

He sent me the details and it's got a bottom bracket: Shimano TIAGRA Compact 50/39; Cassette: 10S 12X26;

Thanks.

 

[deptfordmarmoset]

I think there's a lot to be said for the out-of-fashion triple. You have to do less of that double change thing (down at the front and up at the back), you tend to get a wider range of gears and the ratios at the rear are closer if you're one of those steady cadence cyclists. And the extra weight of the third ring is, what, 300gr tops?

 

[User6179]

I think there's a lot to be said for the out-of-fashion triple. You have to do less of that double change thing (down at the front and up at the back), you tend to get a wider range of gears and the ratios at the rear are closer if you're one of those steady cadence cyclists. And the extra weight of the third ring is, what, 300gr tops?

For Ultegra the small ring is only about 100 grams .

 

[deptfordmarmoset]

For Ultegra the small ring is only about 100 grams .

I guess I was simplifying a little. The middle ring on a triple will be slightly heavier than the little ring on a compact before you add the weight of the little ring, but all in all, I doubt that the overall weight gain ever exceeds 300gr. And I reckon I regularly lose more dead weight than that in the morning toilet visit....