Shimano 2300 double vs triple

[tribe3]

About to get a new entry level road bike and am not sure whether to go for shimano 2300 double or triple? any thoughts.....?

[bignose]

Get what you like. Both work well. A triple will give you more options, a double will work just fine.

[OldZaskar]

Where do you live - is it very hilly?
Are you a strong(ish) cyclist (replacing old bike, adding to mtb)?
What type of riding do you plan to do? Mountains? Loaded with gear?

[tribe3]

Not very hilly where i live......only slight hills in richmond park and occasionally go to box hill, but may go abroad to do some holidays so not sure about things there.

is there a big weight difference?

[OldZaskar]

There are coincidentally three things to consider with a triple. Only two of them matter...
1. Yeah, there's a bit of weight penalty - not much in the grand scheme
2. Shifting changes somewhat in that it's not just up or down. There's more room for maintenance/adjustment error, rubbing, etc. Not a huge deal.
3. Roadies make fun of triples.

More often than not, the decision to get a double or triple comes down to budget - the triples are very common on the lower-end bikes. So, you may want a double, but the bike in your budget has a triple...

Unless those holidays abroad involve panniers, backpacks and mountains, you'd likely be fine with double - a compact double.

[tribe3]

OK, thanks.If I were to get a triple but did not like it, could I then remove a ring and keep my triple shifters?

[GeoKrpan]

OK, thanks.If I were to get a triple but did not like it, could I then remove a ring and keep my triple shifters?

That will totally work.

[OldZaskar]

OK, thanks.If I were to get a triple but did not like it, could I then remove a ring and keep my triple shifters?

All you'd have to do is reset one of the two limiting screws on the front derailleur - to keep it from inadvertently dropping the chain.

I still ride my first road bike occasionally - it had a triple. I'm down to one chain ring on that one. ;-)

[tlg]

OK, thanks.If I were to get a triple but did not like it, could I then remove a ring and keep my triple shifters?

As long as it's not the middle one.

[OldZaskar]

As long as it's not the middle one.

Oh come on, as long as he shifts really (!) fast, it'll be fine ;-)

[tlg]

Oh come on, as long as he shifts really (!) fast, it'll be fine ;-)

After I posted that, I was wondering if would possible to drop from large to small. Perhaps if the chain was really crossed and with a fast shift.
Going up on the other hand... that's not gonna work too well!

[tribe3]

Ok, Thanks everyone! the bike i am looking at is a 52, 39, 30 so if i don't like triple, what gearing would you suggest i moved to?

[OldZaskar]

If you go the double route, stick with a "compact" - that'll be a 50/34. A "standard" would be a 52/39 or 53/39... typically.

^That^ should factor into your earlier question about ditching the small ring. If you're on the fence about a triple vs. double, that typically means you're not yet a very strong rider - unless, as we discussed earlier, you're doing a lot of loaded down mountain riding. So... buying the triple, and ditching the small ring, would leave you with the equivalent of a "standard" double - and that may be too much gear...

Taking budget out of the equation, it's hard to go wrong with a compact - a 50/34. A 34/25 (small ring, big cog) is a very very low ratio... like barely faster than a walk kind of ratio.

[tribe3]

Ok, thanks for all the help, i think i am going to go for a compact now

[looigi]

Ok, thanks for all the help, i think i am going to go for a compact now