VT - Cheapie - Zippy Or Anyone Else Who Rides Question Switching To Compact???

[smeakim]

Hey I have been contemplating switching out my triple to a compact double. Anyone done this and is it worth it? I figured I would go with the new Ulterga SL grouping about $400 if I can figure out where to get the money and convince the wife :). My LBS said they would put it all on for free under a protection plan I bought with my bike. I love my frame and the ride so at the end it will be full ultegra except shifters and breaks. Thoughts ????????


P.S. In the 70s here this week I even rode this AM with just a long sleeve Jersey :) :) :) ... Also For Cheapie 100 miles since Sat and will probably ride one more day this week and another 50 on Sat....

[renovation]

you guys really do spend a lot of cash on your bicycles. as a old fart i never really realized how much you cash drop on the sport .i know the pro bike cost a ton but i thought those all had custom made frame,wheels and were some super light alloy metal. but i see now I'm been missing what people drop in the sport even for general riding enjoyment. I was think $400 for a whole bike was a fair amount .thats just a drop in the bucket after reading lots of posts here and on other forums you rider have posted. I'm so much a novelist rider .a dept.store bike is all i buy and thought a $200-$300 bike was a good and expensive bike. I'm sure you guy just laugh at us. when you see one of us on the road with are bikes riding. or hear us / or a family member talk about how much we just spent on a whole brand new bike. i sure am seeing a whole new light as to a bike and a bicycle. thank you for enlighting me even if you had no idea you were that. i for one will respect the people i see on the road and in the parks way more now !

[smeakim]

Oh boy if you knew.... Ask my wife..... When I got bitten by the cycling bug it was no turning back. No laughing at all. You are out getting exercise. I am not a bike snob (a little one but no where near some people I know). What I did not realize at the beginning was how much more enjoyable it was to get a nice bike and get fit to the bike. Its night and day compared to store bicycles. If that is all you can afford, I say get out there and ride. As far as cost I commute on a fixed gear bicycle that was only $500. Now my other bike is for longer rides, climbing, and events I participate in. I am no where near what some people spend but I figure over time the cost evens out and to be healthy and thoroughly enjoy the sport its a small price to pay. Dropped 45 pounds in a year from cycling small price in my book for that. Ride, Ride, Ride... get passed your a$$ hurting and enjoy it. Its all about you and the road.

[zippyjuan]

I have two bikes and they both have triples on them (came that way but on some hills I have been glad to have them!). Never tried a compact double- not even familiar with the term honestly.

I paid about $1000 for my road bike (aluminum frame and about 16 lbs) and I think it was $600 for my mountain bike (or was that the one that got stolen outside a Padres game -only one I have ever lost- and I got a less expensive one- $450 range) but I don't have a car so compared to what you can spend on even a cheap one of those, not that expensive. It is my transportation as well as a hobby so I don't consider them as expensive. I spend probably 90% of my time on the mountain bike.

[cheapie]

i have a triple on my trek 5200. i'm not really considering switching it out since i'm hoping to have a new road bike in the next several years. this is what i want...


http://www.pinarello.com/prince/download/Prince01_800x600.jpg

[smeakim]

Cheapie I am up for adoption. I am already potty trained, dont pee on the rug, and sleep through the night. A thing of beauty. My wife would do me bodily harm if I tried to swing that one. Its already a chore to convice her of this. :bow: :bow: :bow: . It brings tear to my eye and drool to my mouth. Here is what I would want. But unless I get adopted by you or win the lottery I doubt it will happen. My wife says you cant afford it just pedal faster. :)

http://www.derosanews.com/derosa/modules/DeRosa/images/colors/cyc-1220351721-19-12715.jpg

[cheapie]

hahaha....adopted by me? i can't afford a pinarello either. but i'll hopefully be able to save up enough for one within a couple of years.

[VTGreg]

Ahhh.... how I would love to have $10k to drop on a bike. The Prince is an awesome machine.

My trek 1500 now has a compact after switching out the triple last summer. I never used the small ring so it made sense for me. Unless you spend a lot of time in small ring big cog a compact should be plenty and will provide some weight savings.

The one thing I will say about switching to a compact, be ready to shift the chain ring more often. I used to be able to sit in the middle ring with a triple but now I am shifting in and out of the big ring quite a bit especially early in the season.

Here's my current addiction:

http://filebox.vt.edu/users/grthomps/TF2b.jpg

[smeakim]

Well I can see the three of us are not cheap dates... I know Cheapie is married and so am I so maybe VT if not married still has a chance to find a sugar momma. That's a good looking machine as well. I am really leaning towards the compact what do you run on the front 50/34? rear?

[VTGreg]

Well I can see the three of us are not cheap dates... I know Cheapie is married and so am I so maybe VT if not married still has a chance to find a sugar momma. That's a good looking machine as well. I am really leaning towards the compact what do you run on the front 50/34? rear?

No dice. Married as well and while the wife is somewhat understanding when it comes to my biking addiction, there is no way I ever end up with a bike like that.