I need a road bike that wont break! :(

[oiljam]

My missus has a red triban and it truly is a great buy. I would have bought the same but I couldn't get the right size.
My wheel upgrade will come when I get some mavic ksyrium elite wheels for my caad10, then my triban will have some donated rs10's.

 

[phospho]

Hi
I too think that the Triban 5 is a stunning bike and they are great quality.

Just wondering if you have any idea why the first 2 bikes failed? Were they just rubbish components and you have just been unlucky. My husband has an old steel road bike and its been as reliable as the day is long. He was 17 stone + when he got it and its never skipped a beat, unless you count the odd p******e.

The first one: The back wheel kept becoming out of true, took it back to the shop and it seemed as though the hub was broken. They replaced the wheel, but then that wheel getting broken spokes all the time. I then replaced both wheels myself. Later on, the headset kept making a clicking noise, took it to the shop and they charged me £50 for it, and then noticed that also the fork was bent (no idea how!) which would be another £30 to replace. I thought forget it and got a new bike

The next bike had all gears working etc, but the wheels were old so the hubs of both wheels needed regreasing (at least). I didn't want to go through the hassle in case more was wrong with the bicycle so I just sent it back.

The triban 3 at my local store is the red one (well at least it's red online), not the white one.

Also, doesn't the triban 5 have the same wheelset as the triban 3?

 

[the_mikey]

Also, learn some basic maintenance procedures, especially gear and chain maintenance, a lot of problems can be fixed really quickly and easily when you know how!

 

[phospho]

Also, learn some basic maintenance procedures, especially gear and chain maintenance, a lot of problems can be fixed really quickly and easily when you know how!

Thanks, I know a little about gear and chain maintenance from my old bicycles, but I'd rather not have to do anything with the hubs (looks difficult!).

I think I will stay away from the b'twin bikes, after reading over 30 pages of the triban 3 club thread it seems as though a lot have problems with the wheels. Why spend £300, then another £150 on the wheels while I could get the £500 Cannondale CAAD8 which seems much more reliable.

 

[oiljam]

Bang for buck, definitely Triban 5. And I love the cannondale caad range. This one your looking at has limited spec in comparison to the triban 5 that has a full Sora groupset. Try them both out and decide from that. I have a Caad10 but I'm still very impressed with my Triban.
Let us know which way you go, its difficult for anyone to tell you which to buy. You'll know which to buy as soon as you see it

 

[NormanD]

It's at this time of year you'll find a lot of excellent conditioned second hand bikes going for sale within your price range, HERE'S one example that will take any punishment your commute can throw at it.
Also have a look at the For Sale bikes on this forum

Good luck in your search

 

[outlash]

Out of the bikes you've listed I'd have the CAAD8, I did in fact and I'm still pretty smitten with it. I did have a Triban 3 but TBH they're not my cup of tea, IMO you get what you pay for.

If it's a commuter, do you really need drop bars? Maybe something like the charge grater might more what you want for a bombproof city bike.


Tony.