Just starting to think about racing road bikes after a decade away. Starting to see triples more often in races.

Is this becoming commonplace or are most "serious" riders (cat 3 & above) still riding doubles?

Do triple crank users have problems being accepted in races?

I sound like a 12year old but can't ask that question any better than that.

Racers are not looking at a triple for anything short of a SERIOUSLY steep grade. That said, there are plenty of people who enter races who are racing but not really racers - they use their bikes for other things. It would be a rare race where you would need the small ring on the triple. Most racers would look at someone on a triple and think "There's somebody I don't need to worry about, at least at the finish line." Some might think "There's somebody I DO need to worry about - possible hazardous riding." While neither of these assumptions may be correct, it would not be surprising if that was the thinking. In most cases, however, the other racers are going to be worrying and thinking about their own "stuff" and not yours.

where a triple would be handy to some riders. Snake Alley is a popular crit with a cobble stone, switchback uphill section with some very steep grade. Even then, the competative riders are using a double. (light weight guys, that can climb like mountain goats standing).

Heavier riders need a triple to get up it without blowing, but really don't stand a chance of placing well.

So it depends on what you are racing up, your weight, if you are a spinner or stomper, if you spin up hills or do a standing climb. If you are a spinner, racing in an area with long fairly steep uphill climbs you may need a triple to stay on top of the gear. If so, use a triple. I'm sure other riders will be using triples in such a race.

There are triple riders here but they are few and far between. In many of the races, it is rare to get out of the big ring. Even in the rolling hills.

Like Kerry said, the folks with triples are often using the bike for other things.

Around here, if you race much at all, you know the other folks that race and their capabilities. Original impressions may be made by the bike, but after a couple of races you know who to watch out for. I would not get hung up with the bike you show up with, or if it has a triple. A competative rider is a competative rider on either a double or a triple. Rider respect speed, not equipment.




Just starting to think about racing road bikes after a decade away. Starting to see triples more often in races.

Is this becoming commonplace or are most "serious" riders (cat 3 & above) still riding doubles?

Do triple crank users have problems being accepted in races?

I sound like a 12year old but can't ask that question any better than that.

Bimini's right on his last para. I'm a cat 5 and only have 6 races to my name. I have two bikes, a triple LeMond (steel), and my race bike, a KHS Flite 2000 (aluminum, double). I've only raced my "race" bike once. You see, down here, it rains like a mutha' in the summer, and my LeMond is my "rain bike." Well, even if it's race day, if it's forecasted for some rain, I don't bring out my nice (more expensive) ride. I've raced my LeMond in 5 of 6 races, and I have 2 top 10 finishes and 2 top 5 finishes. And by the way, that was with hairy legs. So, yes, first impressions worked to my advantage--in my first race, where I finished 3rd out of 53 racers.

Wow! Go Filly!

thanks guys (or gals). Thanks for the opinions.

Five ways to provide entertainment at a race:

1) Show up with a triple
2) Show up with a mirror on your helmet
3) Show up with a visor on your helmet
4) Show up with hairy legs
5) Show up in a Postal jersey.

It just isn't done........

Five ways to provide entertainment at a race:

1) Show up with a triple
2) Show up with a mirror on your helmet
3) Show up with a visor on your helmet
4) Show up with hairy legs
5) Show up in a Postal jersey.

It just isn't done........

Question regarding rules from a newbie.
I specifically remember the Giro Rep saying Lance requested a visor because he likes them. While I didn't actually see him wearing it in the Tour & I wondered "why not?" I like the visor when I am riding off-road but was told it was a no no when riding on the road.
Other than tradition, is there a functional reason not to have a visor on a road helmet?
(This is not meant to stir up any anti-Lance stuff, just using him because he is a pro rider)
Thanks for the info,
Zeytin