First Road Bike Question

[bucksgill]

I know there are lots of these threads so sorry if this is repetitive. I am looking at getting my first road bike, haven't owned a bike for a few years but having moved out I want to get into cycling. I have a budget of about £300 which I know is not a lot so I'm not expecting an amazing bike, and I wouldn't be able to get the most out of it anyway! So really I want a good beginners bike preferably with STI shifters.

So I've come across a few possibilities (may or may not be what I'm looking for):

Viking Torino (used) 2011 - £275
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Viking-To...=UK_Bikes_GL&hash=item20c19845fa#ht_642wt_932

Viking Ventoux 2011 - £280
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Viking-Ve...kes_GL&var=&hash=item99acdb4225#ht_3050wt_932

Ammaco XRS700 - £300
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/AMMACO-XR...kes_GL&var=&hash=item9bffa56326#ht_5483wt_989

Barrosa Monza - £240
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Barrosa-M...kes_GL&var=&hash=item89603a804d#ht_2841wt_932

Viking San Marino - £290
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2012-VIKI...es_GL&var=&hash=item9758d95689#ht_2195wt_1195

If anyone has any any input or recommends one of them then that'd be great.

 

[vickster]

This is a very highly regarded bike for the cash, be set up for you too http://www.decathlon.co.uk/triban-3-id_8167038.html. More recourse buying from an established bricks and mortar store too

 

[bucksgill]

Thanks for the quick reply vickster I shall have a look at that; any idea how that compares to the others I posted links for? As those are supposedly more expensive bikes on sale cheaper for whatever reason, although that could just be marketing techniques?

Thanks again

 

[jim55]

+1 for the decathlon bike ,,is there a branch close to you??if so go and check it out ,,,that triban 3 is cracking for the money ,,carbon forks and overall looks well built ,,good paintwork and stuff ,,its pretty light too,,its the one id buy if i had cash and was buying (im not ,,and dont lol)

 

[bucksgill]

The nearest is about 60-70 miles away in Reading I believe, so not ideal but if it is that much better than the others then it could be worth it I guess. They may do deliveries though?

 

[jim55]

just a quick look ,,it looks as if all the bikes (well from a quick look )have double chainrings up front ,,the decathlon bike has a triple (three rings ),,its personal preference but id think a triple gives you easier climbing gears and its a better looking bike than ALL the others ,,(subjective i know )

 

[bucksgill]

I think, but may be wrong and not understand what the front chainrings are, that the San Marino and the Ventoux has triples. So that's one thing. My opinion is that the San Marino and Torino are damn good looking bikes but the Triban 3 comes in just behind

 

[HovR]

Some more high quality pics and information on the Triban 3: http://www.cyclechat.net/threads/pics-of-my-btwin-triban-3.91517/

Hope it helps you make a decision.

 

[bucksgill]

Do Decathlon sponsor these boards on something? that or their bikes must be good.

Do they do deliveries because getting to a store is a bit of a pain me really? Also, does anyone know anything about the others in case I choose to not go for the Triban 3?

Thanks again,

 

[HovR]

Do Decathlon sponsor these boards on something? that or their bikes must be good.

Do they do deliveries because getting to a store is a bit of a pain me really? Also, does anyone know anything about the others in case I choose to not go for the Triban 3?

Thanks again,

Not that I'm trying to sound like a Decathlon representative or anything.. But yes, you can purchase this bike online: Link.

You'll find that quite a few lower end road bikes are made of lower end aluminium, which can actually be quite heavy. The Coyote Route 66, for example, is 14 kilos (In comparison to the Triban's 10.5)! So that is one thing to watch out for.

Note that I don't actually own this bike, but from what I have read and heard both elsewhere, and from other CC users, this bike is one of the better ones in this price range.

 

[redcard]

Is there any bike that's a match for the Triban 3 at the same price-point?

 

[vickster]

Is it me, or do the Torino and San Marino have really weird looking handlebars

Decathlon's bikes are very good for the money. There are some satisfied Viking owners around here, never heard of the other makes

Yes, with Decathlon you can buy online it seems

redcard - not new with drops I think

 

[HovR]

Have you considered second hand bikes? I see you have one in your original post, but there are many more out there! You'll get more for your money - It's just a case of make sure it is in good nick!

 

[deptfordmarmoset]

Do Decathlon sponsor these boards on something? that or their bikes must be good.

Do they do deliveries because getting to a store is a bit of a pain me really? Also, does anyone know anything about the others in case I choose to not go for the Triban 3?

Thanks again,

You'd be forgiven for thinking we were Decathlon sponsored

I have the Triban's predecessor, the Sport. It doesn't get out much these days because I have a better bike, but it's done me great service and maybe 6000 miles going nowhere in particular. All in all, very good value for money. And as the Triban spec has been upgraded to carbon forks, it will probably make the ride smoother than the Sport, yet still under £300. It's a very good buy for new at that price.

 

[Nearly there]

+1 on the decathlon however what I find annoying about bikes in general are lack of colour choices