Doubling up

[Guest]

I recently got a full Centaur 10 spd triple groupset second hand, but since I'm in a flat part of the world I've decided to get a double chainset to save some weight. But I don't want to lose the advantages of the triple in case I want to go somewhere hilly, so I am wondering if I can set the bike up so that it's easy enough to swap chainsets?

I will probably need a 111mm bottom bracket, which works with the double and maybe also with the triple.

Can I use the triple front derailleur with both chainsets (53-39 and 50-40-30) or do I need a double as well?

I will get a medium cage rear derailleur which according to Campagnolo works with both triple and double chainsets (I have a 13-26 cassette).

I hope somebody can help me save some money! Advice appreciated...

[Guest]

Thanks fo the tips...

I would now like to know whether the new style (2006) Centaur Bottom Bracket is worth the extra over the old style AC-H?
It weighs 50g less, which is almost the same as the difference between double and triple chainsets, and it appears to have caps covering the tool access (which Chorus and Record BBs don't have).

I don't think two cassettes is very economical since they are a part that often needs replacing, and the tools to swap them are a bit pricey. I like the idea of takign off a chainring - that makes sense! I know someone who came second in a hill climbing TT using a bike without the two larger rings of their triple.

They know I don't have a Devon holiday home! But I do have a summer house in Sweden, which my bike will probably never get anywhere near to (I don't want to take it on a 'plane). Going to hilly places isn't ruled out though - but all of my current riding is in Norfolk.

[wheelio]

Despite Rob's "tongue-in-cheek" quip about compacts , I still think they are a good alternative for anybody who is a fairly strong rider (and I don't mean "pro racer") and doesn't have to cope with 10%+ gradients, or horrendously long climbs. Or is packing a lot of weight.

I went compact when I had to face the fact that I was struggling to get up my favorite climbs with a 39-23 (or a 39-26 for that matter). I'll be 60 next month. I'm very satisfied with the 36-25 I'm currently using, and when I need to replace the inner ring, I'll likely go with a 34 as the Campy compact FD easily handles the 16 tooth drop.

Conversely, I like it on flat rides as I use the big ring a lot more. The 50-12 is as big a gear as I can push these days. Not for everybody, but it sure works for me.

Richard