I have a couple of bikes with 46/30 front rings and 11-34 cassettes; I end up mainly using them like a double 1x (no, I don't use the 46x11) and for these bikes I like it fine.
In line with Bill's point, pairing a smaller front step with a wider range cassette (but not too crazy) can work well. I recently ended up with a 2x9, 42/34 x 11-40t setup on a bike and it's pretty nice for general use. The smaller front step allows getting over rolling hills using front shifts only, it's got great range (.85:1 - 3.8:1) and still doesn't end up with a bunch of simultaneous front/rear shifting. And the 34t small ring lets you use a standard 110 double crank. -Dave On Tuesday, January 9, 2024 at 6:13:54 PM UTC-5 J J wrote: > Steven, thanks for the point about how useful triples are for riding with > big loads, whether for touring, day tripping, shopping, whatever. I > frequently haul loads up hills on my already-heavy Rivs, so a wide gear > range with 24-34-44 or a 26-36-46 triple and a 34- or 36-tooth large rear > sprocket works great for me. I'm a tinkerer but I don't mess with my front > ders. They're set it and forget it. I also love the way shiny triple cranks > look. I've never felt compelled to try a 1x from a functional or aesthetic > standpoint. > > I agree with Johnny that much newfangled bike stuff and trends are driven > by product differentiation and marketing. Sometimes what was once virtue > becomes vice, sometimes what is old becomes new again. > > On Tuesday, January 9, 2024 at 4:14:25 PM UTC-5 Steven Sweedler wrote: > >> One point that I think is being missed, is for loaded touring bikes >> triples make more sense. Though I am not camping I still am carrying around >> 40 lbs on a 32 lb bike, low gears are especially useful on long and/or >> steep hills. When home in central New Hampshire many of my favorite roads >> are diificult if not impossible for me to ride without a 15-18” gear. >> >> Steven Sweedler >> Plymouth, New Hampshire >> >> On Tue, Jan 9, 2024 at 8:43 PM Chris Halasz <cha...@gmail.com> wrote: >> >>> I'm planning on going from 3x to 1x on my all-around Tosco'd LHT. Maybe >>> even do that today, and replace the big ring with the Rivendell chainring >>> guard. >>> >>> I haven't used the 48 in a long, long time. As for the 26 inner: there >>> was a t-shirt from the 80s from a bike shop in Ketchum that read, "if you >>> ain't hikin', you ain't mountain bikin'". If it gets that low, I appreciate >>> the change in blood circulation by just walking those few minutes. >>> >>> - Chris >>> >>> On Tuesday, January 9, 2024 at 12:30:47 PM UTC-8 John Hawrylak, >>> Woodstown NJ wrote: >>> >>>> Bill L stated: " If it were me, I'd experiment with a 42-tooth big >>>> ring before going to a triple" >>>> >>>> Question to Bill: Will a 42T large ring result in the FD hitting the >>>> chain stay in the inner ring of a triple (say 24T or 26T) ??????? >>>> >>>> PS I agree with your comment on the 46-11 being a very high gear. >>>> >>>> John Hawrylak >>>> Woodstown NJ >>>> >>>> On Tuesday, January 9, 2024 at 3:21:33 PM UTC-5 Bill Lindsay wrote: >>>> >>>>> Ben >>>>> >>>>> You run a 46/30 with an 11-34 11sp cassette. If it were me, I'd >>>>> experiment with a 42-tooth big ring before going to a triple. 46x11 is >>>>> pretty darn high for a commuter/city bike. Anything higher than a 4:1 in >>>>> my book is for the sole purpose of pedaling at >>40mph. That is a real >>>>> use-case in hilly areas, but not for me, and especially not for a >>>>> commuter/city bike. That's just a suggestion. The jump from 42 to 30 is >>>>> much less dramatic. >>>>> >>>>> BL in EC >>>>> >>>>> On Tuesday, January 9, 2024 at 11:25:39 AM UTC-8 bunny...@gmail.com >>>>> wrote: >>>>> >>>>>> I've been kind of triple-curious again. I live in a hilly part of >>>>>> L.A. My commuter/city bike has an 11-34 11s with a 46/30 front. I've >>>>>> been >>>>>> finding the 46 to 30 jump to feel pretty large. It feels much more >>>>>> dramatic >>>>>> than 50-34. For instance, if I switch big to small in the from, I'll >>>>>> sift >>>>>> down at least 3 cogs on the back to totally avoid spinning out >>>>>> immediately. >>>>>> I sometimes find myself mildly cross chaining in either direction to >>>>>> find >>>>>> the right gear. >>>>>> >>>>>> So I've been thinking of either going 1x, or 3x. My other bike is 1x, >>>>>> and it's a carbon all-road/gravel thing. I like the setup for rougher >>>>>> terrain. Also, I just don't like the idea of having duplicate bikes. I >>>>>> also >>>>>> romanticize the bike I had about 20 years go, which had an 11-27 9 speed >>>>>> with 24/36/46. At the time, it felt luxurious, natural, and easy. But I >>>>>> didn't know then what I know now, and many times when I've set up a >>>>>> modern >>>>>> bike like this one from my past, I get quickly disillusioned and undo >>>>>> that >>>>>> change. >>>>>> >>>>>> I kinda feel like the headline should be "triples: still fun and >>>>>> useful for hands on bike nerds who like to tinker." >>>>>> >>>>>> Ben >>>>>> >>>>>> On Tuesday, January 9, 2024 at 10:44:06 AM UTC-8 >>>>>> captaincon...@gmail.com wrote: >>>>>> >>>>>>> I dissent. Front derailers are unnecessarily complicated to setup, >>>>>>> and so are triple chainrings, especially on XD2s. I have 1X 10 one two >>>>>>> bikes, and love it, and I just specced a 1X 11 with a Deore 5100 >>>>>>> derailer >>>>>>> and 11-51 cassette for my BMC Monstercross. The whole drivetrain cost >>>>>>> less >>>>>>> than a nice triple crankset, it's all lighter too. Check out Analog >>>>>>> Cycles >>>>>>> for inspiration. >>>>>>> On Tuesday, January 9, 2024 at 11:45:17 AM UTC-6 Johnny Alien wrote: >>>>>>> >>>>>>>> For years Grant/Rivendell argued against lots of gears in the rear >>>>>>>> because people didn't need to shift that much. The message was to push >>>>>>>> through if its too hard or even get off and push the bike up the hill. >>>>>>>> Now >>>>>>>> its shifting to a new argument...why not have those extra gears >>>>>>>> available. >>>>>>>> Honestly its all marketing to me. I like the simplicity of a 1x >>>>>>>> because I >>>>>>>> get the bulk of the gears I need with less maintenance. For me >>>>>>>> (personally >>>>>>>> mind you) the front derailer has always been the sketchiest part of >>>>>>>> the >>>>>>>> setup. Dropping chains, chain rub....its all a balancing act. I am >>>>>>>> happy to >>>>>>>> have that all go away with a sacrifice of the granny gear. I see what >>>>>>>> VO is >>>>>>>> saying and I think its probably a practical opinion but for me?? 1x >>>>>>>> just >>>>>>>> works. >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> On Tuesday, January 9, 2024 at 12:33:52 PM UTC-5 campyo...@me.com >>>>>>>> wrote: >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>> I have a triple on just one bike (Soma Saga). My main problem is >>>>>>>>> that when I’m in the smallest chainring I am moving so slowly that >>>>>>>>> it’s >>>>>>>>> hard to stay upright. On the very steep inclines that necessitate the >>>>>>>>> small >>>>>>>>> cog, I find it easier to just get off and walk the bike up the hill >>>>>>>>> (something we used to call a “24-inch gear”). >>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>> --Eric Norris >>>>>>>>> campyo...@me.com >>>>>>>>> Insta: @CampyOnlyGuy >>>>>>>>> YouTube: YouTube.com/CampyOnlyGuy >>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>> On Jan 9, 2024, at 9:20 AM, Ron Mc <bulld...@gmail.com> wrote: >>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>> I've been on half-step triples for over a decade, and never looked >>>>>>>>> back. >>>>>>>>> Many 30-mi rides never see a rear shift. >>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>> <Capture.JPG> >>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>> On Tuesday, January 9, 2024 at 11:00:57 AM UTC-6 Steven Sweedler >>>>>>>>> wrote: >>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>> For several years all my bikes have had triples, usually 46-32-20 >>>>>>>>>> on XT 737 cranks. For this current trip I took off the big ring >>>>>>>>>> because I >>>>>>>>>> rarely use it when touring with Cindy, or any of my solo riding, >>>>>>>>>> just when >>>>>>>>>> riding with the guys chasing them down hills. It does look a little >>>>>>>>>> ridiculous, with the front der way up in the air but so far its >>>>>>>>>> working out >>>>>>>>>> just fine. >>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>> Steven Sweedler >>>>>>>>>> Plymouth, New Hampshire >>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>> On Tue, Jan 9, 2024 at 4:47 PM Patrick Moore <bert...@gmail.com> >>>>>>>>>> wrote: >>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>> VO makes a good case for triples: >>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>> https://mailchi.mp/velo-orange.com/triplesaregreatchangemymind?e=9c5efe5ba1 >>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>> *Simplicity and Effectiveness* While 1x systems boast >>>>>>>>>>> simplicity, the emphasis on constant shifting may be overstated. >>>>>>>>>>> Many >>>>>>>>>>> riders find themselves primarily using the middle ring, operating >>>>>>>>>>> as a 1x >>>>>>>>>>> system with added flexibility to adapt to different terrain. >>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>> The point that triples are usually used as 1Xs with low and high >>>>>>>>>>> ranges available is the key, I think. I know that, even with 10 or >>>>>>>>>>> 11 in >>>>>>>>>>> back, I'd not want a 1X, and even a 1X + granny (ie, very wide >>>>>>>>>>> range >>>>>>>>>>> subcompact 2X) would leave me wanting easy-shifting gears for steep >>>>>>>>>>> rolling >>>>>>>>>>> offroad terrain (which I don't ride anymore), as I found when I >>>>>>>>>>> swapped out >>>>>>>>>>> a 3X7 for a 2X9 on my erstwhile Fargo. For road use including heavy >>>>>>>>>>> loads >>>>>>>>>>> and steep hills the 2X9 was easier to use and provided sufficient >>>>>>>>>>> range >>>>>>>>>>> with close cruising steps, but I did miss the middle-ring range >>>>>>>>>>> between >>>>>>>>>>> about 65" and 35" which comes with the middle ring on a 46/36/24 >>>>>>>>>>> triple. >>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>> -- >>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>> Patrick Moore >>>>>>>>>>> Alburquerque, Nuevo Mexico, Etats Unis d'Amerique, Orbis Terrarum >>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>> ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- >>>>>>>>>>> Executive resumes, LinkedIn profiles, bios, letters, and other >>>>>>>>>>> writing services >>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>> ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- >>>>>>>>>>> *When thou didst not, savage, k**now thine own meaning,* >>>>>>>>>>> *But wouldst gabble like a** thing most brutish,* >>>>>>>>>>> *I endowed thy purposes w**ith words that made them known.* >>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>> -- >>>>>>>>>>> You received this message because you are subscribed to the >>>>>>>>>>> Google Groups "RBW Owners Bunch" group. >>>>>>>>>>> To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from >>>>>>>>>>> it, send an email to rbw-owners-bun...@googlegroups.com. >>>>>>>>>>> To view this discussion on the web visit >>>>>>>>>>> https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/rbw-owners-bunch/CALuTfgsXL-XZ%2BiZzsBoQQ7Ne5ejQzbUJu97Pj3rJ8Cno4M-YVg%40mail.gmail.com >>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>> <https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/rbw-owners-bunch/CALuTfgsXL-XZ%2BiZzsBoQQ7Ne5ejQzbUJu97Pj3rJ8Cno4M-YVg%40mail.gmail.com?utm_medium=email&utm_source=footer> >>>>>>>>>>> . >>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>> -- >>>>>>>>> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google >>>>>>>>> Groups "RBW Owners Bunch" group. >>>>>>>>> To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, >>>>>>>>> send an email to rbw-owners-bun...@googlegroups.com. >>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>> To view this discussion on the web visit >>>>>>>>> https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/rbw-owners-bunch/8a0db1ed-36ab-49f7-acbb-86b050cd5e85n%40googlegroups.com >>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>> <https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/rbw-owners-bunch/8a0db1ed-36ab-49f7-acbb-86b050cd5e85n%40googlegroups.com?utm_medium=email&utm_source=footer> >>>>>>>>> . >>>>>>>>> <Capture.JPG> >>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>> -- >>> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google >>> Groups "RBW Owners Bunch" group. >>> To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send >>> an email to rbw-owners-bun...@googlegroups.com. >>> >> To view this discussion on the web visit >>> https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/rbw-owners-bunch/c1526c99-432d-4ca0-8ab6-5d747ae4b905n%40googlegroups.com >>> >>> <https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/rbw-owners-bunch/c1526c99-432d-4ca0-8ab6-5d747ae4b905n%40googlegroups.com?utm_medium=email&utm_source=footer> >>> . >>> >> -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "RBW Owners Bunch" group. 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