Choosing a bike based on triple or double...

[dexter101]

Hi Guys,

I have roped a friend of mine into starting cycling with me to lose weight and just as something fun to do.

planning a few long rides next year and will spend the winter autumn/spring getting ready.

We live in essex so not exactly going to be doing huge climbs but want to do London to southend and london to cambridge rides.

He has found two bikes he likes the look of:

http://www.cyclesuk.com/10493630/products/cannondale-synapse-aluminium-sora-2014-white.aspx

or

http://www.evanscycles.com/products/bianchi/via-nirone-7-claris-compact-2014-road-bike-ec059369

He tried the Bianchi and loves it, however friends at his work have said that he needs a triple, is this worth changing his mind about from the Bianchi to the Cannondale...

Ive given him my two cents worth that fit is more important, I ride a double and havent (where i ride) found need for a smaller ring but just wanted to see if anyone had any other thoughts.

read through some other threads but they seem to be more about people changing from one to another rather than buying new.

 

[BSRU]

He doesn't "need" a triple, the choice between a triple and double(compact double these days) is a personal one.

 

[dexter101]

Thats what I thought seemed an odd thing for them to suggest as a necessity

 

[Strathlubnaig]

Compact double with a 27 or 28 at the back should suffice for pretty much anything really. Triples have too much over lap, just excess weight, imho.

 

[helston90]

It is indeed personal choice- the Bianchi has a larger cassette- so the difference between them is not going to be that much.
I'm looking to ditch my triple as I don't use the small ring enough to warrant me carrying it around the whole time. Tell him to crack on with the Bianchi if that's what he's after, 34 x 30 will see him up just about anything.

 

[Profpointy]

for someone starting out, unless living somewhere really flat - I'd get.a.triple. Most road bikes are geared to high for all but enthusiasts in my view - and it is a bit disingenuous to tell customers that compact doubles are just as low by comparing a narrow range cassette on the triple versus a wide range on the double.

My old road bike was 40 - 28 and was far.too high for me on hilly terrain and whilst a 34 30 is somewhat better a 22 30 or or 30 34 or whatever means you never have to push up anything.

fine for you fit young fellows, but not for th OP's beginner mate as described

 

[dexter101]

Thanks for all your help, Ive told him to go with his gut and get the bianchi

To clarify we are both mid 20s and although fairly unfit he has a job where he is quite physically active (car mechanic) and we have both previously ridden quite a bit mountain biking but was a good few years ago

 

[Cycleops]

Good for you. Of course the Bianchi name has so much more kudos!

 

[dexter101]

Just to update you in case anyone is interested went to Evans last night to purchase the Bianchi, he ended up being talked out of it by the sales guy in favour of a different Cannondale with a better group set for the same price, (still a compact) he is very happy with his choice and looking forward to our first ride out together which should be Thursday. thank you all very much for your help, it was much appreciated!