Tiagra Triple?

[TeeQue]

I'm currently researching what bike I should be looking to buy when I get round to it later this year.

Currently I'm looking at things like the Planet X RT-58 Alloy or the Ribble Winter Trainer/Audax Alloy.

Having spent some time reading I think I'm settled on a Tiagra groupset but I can't seem to find anyone selling a bike with a Tiagra triple fitted, does anyone know if there's one available?

If I have to I'll settle for a compact but I'm fairly new to cycling and potentially going to try a bit of touring at some point so I think a triple would be appropriate. I can find the bits to upgrade but the cost of the shifters is a bit prohibitive. Alternatively do you think anyone would sell me a bike with a Tiagra compact but a triple shifter? If my thinking is correct you could still use a triple shifter with a compact chainset just set the limit screw correctly for the smallest cog (of two) and index it so it is in that gear when the shifter is in gear 2, if you then shifted to gear 1 all it would do would be to slacken the cable off further but the mech has no where to go due to the limit screw so it stays in the lowest gear; does that make sense? If it does I could then just upgrade to a triple myself and keep the compact for a later date and carry on using the same shifter.

 

[BSRU]

A tiagra triple doesn't necessarily give you lower gears, usually results in similar maximum/minimum gearing as a compact double but with finer granularity between gears, which I personally prefer. You can buy one left hand tiagra brifters, I bought mine from Chain Reaction.

 

[TeeQue]

A tiagra triple doesn't necessarily give you lower gears, usually results in similar maximum/minimum gearing as a compact double but with finer granularity between gears, which I personally prefer. You can buy one left hand tiagra brifters, I bought mine from Chain Reaction.

Really? Hmmmm.... I'll have to have a think then and do some calculations on gear ratios etc...

 

[adscrim]

I think the Tiagra shifters are dual purpose and can work on both double and triple set-ups. You'll need a triple front mech though.

Edit - they used to be. New ones might not be.

 

[the snail]

you can specify the groupset etc using ribble's bikebuilder
http://www.ribblecycles.co.uk/bbd/r...training?part=BB14AW7005&sub=conf_BBRW&bike=1

 

[BSRU]

Really? Hmmmm.... I'll have to have a think then and do some calculations on gear ratios etc...

I changed the Tiagra compact(50/34) on my Genesis Croix de Fer to a Tiagra triple(50/39/30), biggest gear is the same and the lowest is just a smidgen lower( in fact the second lowest is the same as the lowest when using the compact chainset).

 

[TeeQue]

Really? Hmmmm.... I'll have to have a think then and do some calculations on gear ratios etc...

Well apparently I haven't looked very hard because Ribble do in fact offer the bike I was looking at with a Tiagra Triple groupset .

I've calculated the following based on the Tiagra groupsets offered by Ribble:

Now I'm completely guessing but I think I want a maximum of around 110 and a minimum around 30 does that sound right? If so I could go compact with a 12-30 cassette or triple with a 12-28 cassette.

Based on the above what do people think would best suit a newish cyclist who might do some light touring at some point?

 

[Jerry Atrik]

If you want to light tour you can always put a deore rear mech on the back which would enable you to put on a 34 rear cassette which I have on my Tri cross .

 

[raleighnut]

Well apparently I haven't looked very hard because Ribble do in fact offer the bike I was looking at with a Tiagra Triple groupset .

I've calculated the following based on the Tiagra groupsets offered by Ribble:

View attachment 40876

Now I'm completely guessing but I think I want a maximum of around 110 and a minimum around 30 does that sound right? If so I could go compact with a 12-30 cassette or triple with a 12-28 cassette.

Based on the above what do people think would best suit a newish cyclist who might do some light touring at some point?

I'd go triple and 12-28 to give the closest gear spread but give the rear mech an easier time than 30 tooth (unless its very hilly round your way)

 

[TeeQue]

Has anyone got any experience of the Ribble alloy audax?

I've never ridden a bike with drop bars and have absolutely no idea on size (I'm six foot if that helps?!) so ordering online is slightly off putting but frankly I can't find another Tiagra fitted bike for the price from anyone else.

Interest free credit is also very interesting and potentially bringing the purchase forward a few months!

 

[raleighnut]

Has anyone got any experience of the Ribble alloy audax?

I've never ridden a bike with drop bars and have absolutely no idea on size (I'm six foot if that helps?!) so ordering online is slightly off putting but frankly I can't find another Tiagra fitted bike for the price from anyone else.

Interest free credit is also very interesting and potentially bringing the purchase forward a few months!

Frame size is not so much down to height as to inside leg measurement, for instance a friend and I are both 6 foot but he takes 30 inch inside leg and I take 34 inch so frame sizes are 10 cm different for us in that I've got standover height on a 25 inch steel (531) Raleigh but he can't get on it. There should be at least 2 sizes of frame suitable for your height but if you are new to drop bar bikes I would suggest going for the larger option with less seatpost showing as this will be less "bum in the air" and you can always use the drop bars as opposed to riding on the hoods for a more aero profile.

 

[Susan Orty-Boyden]

The Giant Defy 1 eldest Son chose for a Charity Coast to Coast was last year's model, think it had a compact with 12/28 on the back, I'm 60 now and had bought a Cannondale Synapse, that had 50/34 front,12/30 rear; both bikes were doubles but wife had a triple front mech Specialised. Mine was fine up the hills, although none of the group made the Hill East out of Settle apart from youngest (plays Rugby and is mental) on a mountain bike with slicks, and his super-fit cousin on a Formé. All of the rest of the hills we all managed so most of the time a double is a good choice.
Giant and Cannodale aren't mugs at setting up endurance road bikes.
Given a free choice I wouldn't go for the weight, fuss and bother of a triple, but note that the Giant is now fitted with a 12/30 rear this year, so reckon that is your ideal rear cassette with a compact front double, after all that was only one hill in 180 miles of riding, so is the triple worth it? I'd just walk the worst one and Settle's hill is a whopper.
Cheers
Kev

 

[BSRU]

The Giant Defy 1 eldest Son chose for a Charity Coast to Coast was last year's model, think it had a compact with 12/28 on the back, I'm 60 now and had bought a Cannondale Synapse, that had 50/34 front,12/30 rear; both bikes were doubles but wife had a triple front mech Specialised. Mine was fine up the hills, although none of the group made the Hill East out of Settle apart from youngest (plays Rugby and is mental) on a mountain bike with slicks, and his super-fit cousin on a Formé. All of the rest of the hills we all managed so most of the time a double is a good choice.
Giant and Cannodale aren't mugs at setting up endurance road bikes.
Given a free choice I wouldn't go for the weight, fuss and bother of a triple, but note that the Giant is now fitted with a 12/30 rear this year, so reckon that is your ideal rear cassette with a compact front double, after all that was only one hill in 180 miles of riding, so is the triple worth it? I'd just walk the worst one and Settle's hill is a whopper.
Cheers
Kev

I refer the poster to my post earlier.
"A tiagra triple doesn't necessarily give you lower gears, usually results in similar maximum/minimum gearing as a compact double but with finer granularity between gears"

 

[outlash]

I've never ridden a bike with drop bars and have absolutely no idea on size (I'm six foot if that helps?!) so ordering online is slightly off putting but frankly I can't find another Tiagra fitted bike for the price from anyone else.

Really, you should be looking at trying before you buy, but if you insist on buying blind online, use this: http://www.competitivecyclist.com/Store/catalog/fitCalculatorBike.jsp . That should help in terms of size.


Tony.

 

[simon.r]

Triple every time. I've built my most recent bike with a compact double and the gaps between gears are too noticeable. I can't see any reason not to have a triple, bar a very small weight penalty.