Advice for a beginner: Fuji Sportif 1.5 vs. B'Twin Triban 3 vs. Avanti Giro 10 2012

[Cyclenon]

Hi there,

I'm considering upgrading my (very reliable) Trek 7.3FX for something faster and lighter.
My budget is £500 max and I was considering:

(i) Fuji Sportif 1.5
http://www.evanscycles.com/products/fuji/sportif-15-compact-2013-road-bike-ec041874#select

(ii) B'Twin Triban 3 (this is the cheapest and would leave some cash for any upgrades)
http://www.cyclingweekly.co.uk/tech/bikes/129441/2/bike-test-do-you-get-what-you-pay-for.html

(ii) Avanti Giro 10 2012
http://www.wheelies.co.uk/p54239/Avanti-Giro-10-2012-Road-Bike.aspx

No particular reason for selecting these other than they seem to be in my price range for an OK entry-level bike with carbon forks.

Don't know much about road bikes - advice welcome.

Many thanks.

 

[Rivriv]

Can certainly recommend the Triban, as will a lot of others here! Plus, its always handy to have a few spare bob for extra bits!

 

[Deleted member 20519]

I'd take the Triban because it's excellent VFM. My friend purchased a Fuji Sportif 1.5 after me trying to convince him to go for the Triban 3. I really don't see what you're paying an extra £200 apart from having 'Fuji' spammed over your bike, I'd keep the extra money and buy new wheels (and that's exactly what I did).

What about the Triban 5A with paddle shifters instead of the thumb shifters? http://www.btwin.com/en/sport-road-bikes/14207-triban-5-a.html

 

[Havoc6]

If you do go for the Triban 3 best you get one while can as they appear to be like rocking horse poo to get hold of.

 

[vickster]

Triban (there appear to be plenty out there right now, perhaps depending on your size)

or used - something like this if you are a 5'7 ish http://www.cyclechat.net/threads/giant-scr-2-0-road-bike-for-sale.126962/

If you want to speed up the Trek, put some thinner lighter tyres on it, even some better wheels - it's not a slow bike

 

[uphillstruggler]

The new triban 3 looks ok, new sora groupset and a triple if youre not used to a compact.

depends if they are close by and you can try one out though

edit: it may have been the 5 i saw, whatever it was, it was 399 quid

 

[Cyclenon]

Many thanks for your replies.

One more question: do you know if the hubs and bottom bracket of the Triban are sealed or are they the older kind that you have to re-grease from time to time?

Thanks

 

[400bhp]

Triban 5A

 

[400bhp]

Many thanks for your replies.

One more question: do you know if the hubs and bottom bracket of the Triban are sealed or are they the older kind that you have to re-grease from time to time?

Thanks

The hubs aren't sealed. Not sure that "older type" is strictly correct. Shimano still use unsealed hubs - it was explained to me why once but I can't remember.

The Triban 5A has a Hollowtech 2 bottom bracket and is a sealed unit. Replacement bottom brackets are cheap (less than £20) and are easy to remove and refit. I'm unsure if the Triban 3 or the 5 have the hollowtech 2 design.