Diff'rent strokes for diff'rent folks! I swapped out an Ultegra 52x42x30 for a RBW/Silver 42x28 and never looked back. (Yes, that little Microshift "skeleton key" front derailer is brilliant). And my Yuba cargo bike got the RBW/Silver 38x24 because the 44x34x24 offered no advantages for a bike that is 100% about transporting "cargo" (kids) in a city. I get the appeal of 1X's, but some of the analog Yuba long-wheelbase cargo bikes that were spec'ed as 1X got a reputation for throwing chains under load. Never understood why.
@ Ron Mc: Love the half-step setup. Love! Have you seen John Schubert's article "Half Step: The Gearing Choice for the Retrogrouch <https://www.adventurecycling.org/sites/default/assets/resources/gearing_101.pdf>"? (Adventure Cyclist magazine, March 2002) My bucket list includes a 1983 Specialized Sequoia with this drivetrain. :-) Cheers, Will NYC On Wednesday, January 10, 2024 at 10:43:48 AM UTC-5 Patrick Moore wrote: > I did that for years with 48/38/28 triples and close ratio (13-21 > commuting, 12-19 gofast) 7 speed drivetrains. It worked well, with most > riding in the middle ring. ?This ws > > On Tue, Jan 9, 2024 at 5:02 PM Andrew Turner <andyree...@gmail.com> wrote: > >> I love a triple paired with an 8 speed or less corncob cassette matched >> to downtube shifters. That's an amazing roadie configuration right there. >> Not to mention bomb proof. But I think what rides equally as nice is 11 >> speed 2x setups with a wide range cassette in the rear. The choice for me >> comes down to looks and vanity. Ron Mc's teaser drivetrain pic is really >> scratching an itch for me though! >> On Tuesday, January 9, 2024 at 5:36:47 PM UTC-6 DavidP wrote: >> >>> 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. >> 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/64e420b6-ab3c-415f-8bdc-336ca257973dn%40googlegroups.com >> >> <https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/rbw-owners-bunch/64e420b6-ab3c-415f-8bdc-336ca257973dn%40googlegroups.com?utm_medium=email&utm_source=footer> >> . >> > > > -- > > 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. 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