double vs. triple rear derailleur

I am setting up a road bike from old parts and it will have a double
crankset at first. But I might want to experiment with a triple down
the road.

I need to buy a new rear derailleur for the bike.

Is there any serious performance difference between a 'double'
(Shimano's SS?) and 'triple' (Shimano's GS?) rear derailleur when used
on a double setup? I'm looking at the Shimano 105 or Ultegra level.

(I know that I will need different front derailleurs and different
chain lengths; using bar end shifters so front indexing isn't an
issue.)

Thanks.

Is there any serious performance difference between a 'double'
(Shimano's SS?) and 'triple' (Shimano's GS?) rear derailleur when used
on a double setup? I'm looking at the Shimano 105 or Ultegra level.

If you think you might either go to a triple down the road *or* a
wider-range rear cassette (toss an 11-32 mtn bike cassette on, for example),
the triple rear derailleur makes sense. In theory it might not shift quite
as quickly, although I haven't found that to be an issue... and, of course
it might weigh an ounce more.

--Mike-- Chain Reaction Bicycles
http://www.ChainReactionBicycles.com


"Dan Daniel" wrote in message
...
I am setting up a road bike from old parts and it will have a double
crankset at first. But I might want to experiment with a triple down
the road.

I need to buy a new rear derailleur for the bike.

Is there any serious performance difference between a 'double'
(Shimano's SS?) and 'triple' (Shimano's GS?) rear derailleur when used
on a double setup? I'm looking at the Shimano 105 or Ultegra level.

(I know that I will need different front derailleurs and different
chain lengths; using bar end shifters so front indexing isn't an
issue.)

Thanks.

Dan Daniel wrote:

I am setting up a road bike from old parts and it will have a double
crankset at first. But I might want to experiment with a triple down
the road.

I need to buy a new rear derailleur for the bike.

Is there any serious performance difference between a 'double'
(Shimano's SS?) and 'triple' (Shimano's GS?) rear derailleur when used
on a double setup?

No. The only difference is 2 grams (Ultegra) or 4 grams (105)

I'm looking at the Shimano 105 or Ultegra level.

(I know that I will need different front derailleurs and different
chain lengths;

Actually, you don't need different chain lengths.

Sheldon "Like The Spam Sez, Length Is Good" Brown
+------------------------------------------------------------+
| A touchstone to determine the actual worth of an |
| "intellectual"--find out how he feels about astrology. |
| --Robert A. Heinlein |
+------------------------------------------------------------+
Harris Cyclery, West Newton, Massachusetts
Phone 617-244-9772 FAX 617-244-1041
http://harriscyclery.com
Hard-to-find parts shipped Worldwide
http://captainbike.com http://sheldonbrown.com

dddandaniel- I am setting up a road bike from old parts and it will have a
double
crankset at first. But I might want to experiment with a triple down
the road.
BRBR
Is there any serious performance difference between a 'double'
(Shimano's SS?) and 'triple' (Shimano's GS?) rear derailleur when used
on a double setup? I'm looking at the Shimano 105 or Ultegra level. BRBR

Nope, get the long cage......

Peter Chisholm
Vecchio's Bicicletteria
1833 Pearl St.
Boulder, CO, 80302
(303)440-3535
http://www.vecchios.com
"Ruote convenzionali costruite eccezionalmente bene"