Anonymous asked: Will the SRAM's new Apex WiFLI (wide range of gearing) be able to "make the triple obsolete" or is that just marketing hype? If it's real, any ideas on which bikes will have it as an option? Thanks!
Funny, seems we’ve been getting this question a lot lately. Here’s the answer for you…
Dear Anon,
We are certainly seeing the “compact double” killing off the triple in many cases. The front rings on a Compact Double are usually 50/34 as opposed to a 53/39 on a “traditional” Double. The 34 is a big part of what can help you get to the same low range a Triple would. Sram was the first to introduce an 11-28 cassette to work with this “compact” design. They’ve raised the bar again with the 11-32 offering an even lower option, no doubt taking technology derived from their brand new 10 speed mountain group the XX. To answer your question, there is a lot of merit for a person looking for low climbing gear and improved performance over a triple. Let’s face it, the honing and performance of a modern triple is nothing to scoff at but these new offerings do provide improvement. Bottom line, the gear ratios between a Triple and Compact Drive Double can be virtually identical. The new C.D. needs less “throw” on the front derailleur for only 2 gear rather than 3 which means crisper shifts and lighter weight. You get more usable gears and less redundancy using the range on the cassette and the 2 front rings of a C.D. We don’t have bike spec’s for 2011 bikes yet but all our major brands now offer bikes with both Shimano and Sram options in a compact drive. I suspect we’ll see companies using this WiFLi idea but at the very least will give an aftermarket option for a wider cassette range on any compatible 10 speed group. We’re seeing this on several bikes including specialized bikes in the women’s Doce and men’s Allez models. Hope this helps,
Leif Thorsen
Store Manager
