yep... double and triple denotes number of chain rings on front crank.
definitely go triple cranks. you will use middle chain ring most of the time. large ring only for high speed moments.
you won't use "granny" but a tiny amount of time. but the few times you use small chain ring, it REALLY will be needed.
a triple crank can duplicate what ever gear ratio, roadies are using with their ... say 39/53 combo. until you get road legs, you won't be able to grind up hills using tall gears.
roadies rarely need smallest front crank gear. that's why they go for a double crank. (it's extra weight) vs loaded tourist & mountain bikers always go for a triple crank (except single gear craze). this allows rider to spin up hills.
objective is to maintain a fairly high RPM. each person is slightly different, but 90 rpm range is where you want to be. a triple crank can drop down gearing and spin up a huge hill vs grinding up the same hill with higher gearing.
you can spot long time riders by their spin. it's called style... a good rider has an effortless spin and will pedal circles. this will not mean much until later.
beginners usually try to grind up hills with too tall a gear. that only works a few times.... then your muscles need recovery time.
cyclist use slow twitch muscles most of the time, only bringing out fast twitch muscles during sprints. once your muscles go into anaerobic debt, you blow up and basically shut down.
when you first try to keep up with a pack of roadies. you will probably blow up and drop. that's all a normal part of getting your road legs.
high mileage riders get super efficient at riding, so don't get discouraged at not being able to keep up at first. also expect to get a few lessons on pack riding etiquette. like riding a straight line and being predictable.
I suspect with your weight lifting background. you will be a super strong rider in short order!
definitely go triple cranks. you will use middle chain ring most of the time. large ring only for high speed moments.
you won't use "granny" but a tiny amount of time. but the few times you use small chain ring, it REALLY will be needed.
a triple crank can duplicate what ever gear ratio, roadies are using with their ... say 39/53 combo. until you get road legs, you won't be able to grind up hills using tall gears.
roadies rarely need smallest front crank gear. that's why they go for a double crank. (it's extra weight) vs loaded tourist & mountain bikers always go for a triple crank (except single gear craze). this allows rider to spin up hills.
objective is to maintain a fairly high RPM. each person is slightly different, but 90 rpm range is where you want to be. a triple crank can drop down gearing and spin up a huge hill vs grinding up the same hill with higher gearing.
you can spot long time riders by their spin. it's called style... a good rider has an effortless spin and will pedal circles. this will not mean much until later.
beginners usually try to grind up hills with too tall a gear. that only works a few times.... then your muscles need recovery time.
cyclist use slow twitch muscles most of the time, only bringing out fast twitch muscles during sprints. once your muscles go into anaerobic debt, you blow up and basically shut down.
when you first try to keep up with a pack of roadies. you will probably blow up and drop. that's all a normal part of getting your road legs.
high mileage riders get super efficient at riding, so don't get discouraged at not being able to keep up at first. also expect to get a few lessons on pack riding etiquette. like riding a straight line and being predictable.
I suspect with your weight lifting background. you will be a super strong rider in short order!
Ok I am going out of town for a few days and when I return I am planning on purchasing a new bike. I pretty much have narrowed down my choices to two bikes and maybe three however am going to decide after test rides and a few questions at the shop.
One quick question.....Between the two bikes both have a model called a double and also a triple for just a little more. Is this triple in regards to the front crank having 3 sprockets rather than two? I assume this is why the double is called this due to 2 cranks up front.
Also the only difference I can see between both brands is that both double versions are similiar in cost however one says the front crank is Bontrager 50/34 where the other has a 53/39. I also assume this is teeth on the front cranks so as a beginner would I notice any difference between these two cranks? What are the pros and cons of both cranks?. Seems like a big difference between the two bikes as far as cranks go so again I have no idea as to what those numbers mean for a rider. For both triple models the settings are identical at 50/39/30
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