Hi all,
Wanted to introduce my self to the forum, and where I am in my cycling journey. During lockdown I dug out a "hybrid" falcon I acquired free about 4 years ago, changed the tyres, and got out with my other half and the kids a bit and started to enjoy it. I have been a keen runner for about 8 - 9 years and in my local club there are a lot of cyclists/tri athletes (all the way to Iron Man and more!), but have always been a bit scared to ride on the roads!
About a month ago a friend of mine offered to let me borrow his 17 year old Cannondale Bad Boy. We did 25 miles, I loved it... So much so started to look into bikes, was going to spend a decent whack on something new, then realised the market isn't great. Being new into bikes had road bikes, cyclocross, gravel, hybrids... OMG so much to learn, and what to get.
I asked on my running club FB group for some information on flats vs drops, and was offered rides on theirs etc, until someone linked me a B'TWIN Triban 500SE for sale. I jumped at the chance, and had it home in less than a day. Ut's in GREAT condition, and done under 400 miles for a 5 year old bike that's great. The guy I bought it off is a member of a local club, and known to friends of mine. They selling for more than I bought it for on ebay, is a fraction of what I was willing to spend, so means more on accessories, etc! My work collegues are very very keen cyclists, and one of them gave it a good service, and said wasn't much to do, all in great condition, I've lucked out there!
So I've done 3 long (25, 25 and one 36 mile ride on it), including not one but 2 BIG hills (Cheshire Killer Mile accidentally) in one ride! I just love it. I'm struggling a "little" with the brakes on drops (small fingers), and having never used drop bars before was worried about gears too, but that just "clicked" love it. Apparently the bars were turned up too much, so rotated them down a little for my next ride.
Bought some bits and bobs and cleaning/maintenance stuff, been reading loads on these forums, and checking out Park Tool and GCM on Youtube. I've learnt a LOT in a couple of weeks! I've got track pumps, inner tubes, CO2 canisters, saddle bag, bottle cage bag, multi tool, mini pump, etc, etc...
What I am wondering is how to find out what "parts" are on my bike. Seems part shimano, and part "Microshift" (the shifters, are them), not one of the three main makes I've seen mentioned. I've tried searching decathlon for information on it, but for example if I were to need new shifters, cables, brake pads, bottom bracket (under pressure going up the hills it creaked a little) how do I know what to replace with? As I say it's a B'TWIN Triban 500SE from 2015, was bought new from Decathlon, any information would be great?
So here I am on what I hope to be a long love for cycling (until I jump in the open water and start tris!)
Gunja!
PS. Sorry for long post
Wanted to introduce my self to the forum, and where I am in my cycling journey. During lockdown I dug out a "hybrid" falcon I acquired free about 4 years ago, changed the tyres, and got out with my other half and the kids a bit and started to enjoy it. I have been a keen runner for about 8 - 9 years and in my local club there are a lot of cyclists/tri athletes (all the way to Iron Man and more!), but have always been a bit scared to ride on the roads!
About a month ago a friend of mine offered to let me borrow his 17 year old Cannondale Bad Boy. We did 25 miles, I loved it... So much so started to look into bikes, was going to spend a decent whack on something new, then realised the market isn't great. Being new into bikes had road bikes, cyclocross, gravel, hybrids... OMG so much to learn, and what to get.
I asked on my running club FB group for some information on flats vs drops, and was offered rides on theirs etc, until someone linked me a B'TWIN Triban 500SE for sale. I jumped at the chance, and had it home in less than a day. Ut's in GREAT condition, and done under 400 miles for a 5 year old bike that's great. The guy I bought it off is a member of a local club, and known to friends of mine. They selling for more than I bought it for on ebay, is a fraction of what I was willing to spend, so means more on accessories, etc! My work collegues are very very keen cyclists, and one of them gave it a good service, and said wasn't much to do, all in great condition, I've lucked out there!
So I've done 3 long (25, 25 and one 36 mile ride on it), including not one but 2 BIG hills (Cheshire Killer Mile accidentally) in one ride! I just love it. I'm struggling a "little" with the brakes on drops (small fingers), and having never used drop bars before was worried about gears too, but that just "clicked" love it. Apparently the bars were turned up too much, so rotated them down a little for my next ride.
Bought some bits and bobs and cleaning/maintenance stuff, been reading loads on these forums, and checking out Park Tool and GCM on Youtube. I've learnt a LOT in a couple of weeks! I've got track pumps, inner tubes, CO2 canisters, saddle bag, bottle cage bag, multi tool, mini pump, etc, etc...
What I am wondering is how to find out what "parts" are on my bike. Seems part shimano, and part "Microshift" (the shifters, are them), not one of the three main makes I've seen mentioned. I've tried searching decathlon for information on it, but for example if I were to need new shifters, cables, brake pads, bottom bracket (under pressure going up the hills it creaked a little) how do I know what to replace with? As I say it's a B'TWIN Triban 500SE from 2015, was bought new from Decathlon, any information would be great?
So here I am on what I hope to be a long love for cycling (until I jump in the open water and start tris!)
Gunja!
PS. Sorry for long post
sounds like you'll be giving birth to an Olympic medallist! 
