New Bike Advice

[andyfofo]

Afternoon i'm hoping to get back into cycling after commuting by bike for my job last year and im looking at purchasing my first road bike as a starter for fitness and commuting, i'm sure this is something that is asked all the time, but i've narrowed my choices down to 2 bikes;

http://www.evanscycles.com/products/specialized/allez-compact-2012-road-bike-ec030703

http://www.evanscycles.com/products/specialized/allez-triple-2012-road-bike-ec030704

is there any difference between the two? all i can see is one has 16 gears and the other has 24... however i must admit i don't really know what this means in terms of which is better, so which one should i go for?

Cheers

andy

 

[BrumJim]

If you have the money, go for the triple (24 gears).

I think that the chain ring ('compact' 2 ring or 3 ring) is the only difference. Triple gives you more gears, and a lower bottom gear. Compact gives you a good low gear, but a big step when moving to the larger ring. Oh, and £25 to spend on beer and/or cakes.

 

[BSRU]

Compact or triple is generally a personal preference.
A triple gives your more gears but often with duplicates and a double can have a spread, biggest to lowest, as big as a triple depending on the rear freewheel.
Personally I prefer a triple as I like the small increments between adjacent gear changes, it suits my riding style.

 

[Kiwiavenger]

i have the compact and love it! not had any need to drop to a lower gear (yet) the 50/34 suits me fine! however not many hills near me.