What Do I Need for a Triple?

Simon lives in a hilly area and wants to fit a triple chain set to his bike. He wants to know what he will need to buy to achieve this. He's worried that it may cost more to change everything than if he was to buy a new bike with a triple already fitted. We have the answer and an alternative

Question:
HI There - my question is this..I have a racing bike with a 2 cogs on the front (Mirage campag) and want to change to a triple as I live in a very hilly area of UK.. However will I also need to source / purchase any other bits or will I just need to get the triple? My left hand changer has more than two clicks but I was wondering about the rear drailier / front mech and the axle as well..All could get expensive. If so may sell and buy one with a triple already on...cheers Si.

Hi Simon,

If you live in a very hilly area then a triple is a good idea, except then you are going to have to change a few things, there is another cheap option than buying another bike, but let us explain what you need for the triple.

Triple

To fit a triple chain set you need a wider axle to cater for the three chain rings. Also you will probably need a new front mech as the back plate has to come down further to accommodate the small inside ring. Your left hand shifter may have more then two clicks, but unless it is fro a triple it will not work properly. With all that extra chain heed to cover all the chain rings you will need to change the rear mech for a longer arm one and maybe a new chain.

So for a triple you need:

Chain set
Axle and bottom bracket
Front mech
Rear mech
Left hand lever
Possibly a new chain

You could buy a new bike with a triple chain set or you could fit a compact chain set with a 50 tooth large chain ring and a 34 tooth small ring, this with a 25 or 26 tooth big sprocket should get you up anything in Britain or just about anywhere else. Fitting a compact chain set means you don't need to change anything, the axle is the same length, same left hand lever, same front mech, the only change you may need to do is to shorten the chain a few links.

We hope this answers your question?

Compact

Comment Script

Comments


Name

E-mail (Will not appear online)

Title

Comment

How to submit your Cycling Question?

Ask any question you may have about bike parts, accessories, clothing or training and let our team of experts help you.

Simply Click here to post your question, we will reply on the website shortly ..

Free Ebook

Signup today and we will notify you of new articles by email.

As a gift, we will also send you a free electronic copy of the Samuel Mascarell's & Alastair Hamilton's book, "Bicycle Adjustment Secrets ."
Download

Useful Resources

BaseCyclingTraining.com Proven training methods, research, data, and analysis of the
training of several high level cyclists. It will benefit anyone who feels
that they do not understand cycling training, training principles or the
effects that training has on the body

Base Cycling Training

cycle training mistakes

Discover the 10 biggest mistakes in cycling training,

.... and how to avoid them!

Cycling Training Mistakes