Bike gearing

I think it'd be easier to change out the rear cassette to something like a 12-25 or 12-27.  If you add a triple crank to the front, they are heavier, more expensive, and you will have to adjust your front derailer or get another one.  Getting the rear cassette shouldn't be a problem 8 weeks out.  Not sure about the triple.  That's my opinion. 

I rode used a 53/38 w/ 12-27 for the last 2 years. I've switched this year to a compact crank 50/34 w/ 12-27. I haven't been on the loop w/ it, but it seems to help a bit. There is quite a learning curve though. Best to go with a 12-27 this far out...

I'm using an FSA Gossammer compact crank. My LBS installed it based on their recommendation that they often don't require a different front derailleur. I'm not sure they were right as my chain rubs severely when I try to move into the bottom 3 rear cogs. Also, there does not appear to be as much play in mitigate this by adjusting the front derailleur. I may look at installing the FSA front derailleur.

I had a triple, it came with my bike. and I graduated to a double (53-39) with a 12-27 in the rear. I would like m triple back because I live in the catskills and ride mountains all the time. But I am getting stronger as a climber and my ability to creatively curse out the mountain is getting more and more eloquent!

For IMOO - you don't need a triple. A 12-27 rear cassette will give you all the gearing you need.
Are you a spinner or a grinder?
What is your cadence on your training rides?
What is your MPH avg?
What is your bike split goal?

the easier cog (27) in the casette will be helpful if any head winds kick up on the course.
you should get the cassette now and ride it a lot to get it broken in before your race.

about your butt being tired...every 10-15 minutes get up and out of the saddle, peddle for a minute, eat, drink stretch. this saved my butt and back in IMLP last year...talk about climbing!

Just did the loop this past weekend in 95degree weather...

The compact crank is like night and day difference. My legs were quite fresh after 1 loop & I didn't seem to suffer as much as usual.

P.S. If you are interested, you can borrow the 38 SCR if you are in the area. It has no use as it's on my old bike that is not used.

Edited by BadgerIronMan 2006-07-18 1:56 PM

Badger- Can you explain the "learning curve" with the compact geraring? I am contemplating getting it on my new bike....now i have a 53-39, 12-27 and a bike that is 3 cm too big. So I'm in a world of hurt anyway.
Thanks

Thanks for all of the suggestions. I switched out the cassette from a 12-25 to a 12-27. The bike shop did it while I waited. I had it on the loop yesterday afternoon and I found it to make quite a difference. The shop also suggested going to a compact crank because of my riding style. I'm going to ride hills this weekend befor making that decision. At this time I'm thinking that the cassette change has offered the improvement I was looking for.

The learning curve involves re-finding your "groove gears", and you'll find that gears are a bit more "spaced" out w/ a compact crank. It only took a couple of rides before I got the hang of the change.