New entry level road bike for 140km ride.

[mk newbie]

Hi all,
I am planning a 140 km ride from my home in Milton Keynes to Mersea Island on the east coast in Essex. I am currently riding an old Raliegh mountain bike and I am looking for a road bike that will allow me to move a bit quicker especially when riding into the wind. I am currently using cycling to complement my training for a half marathon. I would like to set a budget of £300 ish. I would like more than 14 gears, my 140k ride will not be a race just a personal challenge. I have been looking at the decathlon Btwin triban 3 and the Viking Tre valli. Does anybody have any thoughts on these bikes or suggestions for a entry level bike that could handle this kind of distance. I am thinking that I will need panniers for such a distance, so the frame will need these fixings. Is this correct ?

 

[Dogtrousers]

Frame fixings for panniers are nice things to have, but I don't see why you'd necessarily need them for your long ride unless you are going there for a visit and need to take a load of luggage with you. If you fit panniers you'll only be tempted to fill them up with stuff (will I need the anvil? Better pack it just in case). You can probably fit the tools/food/waterproof/anything else into a small saddlebag + jersey pockets.
The Btwin bikes are very well thought of in these parts.

 

[cyberknight]

Btween the 2 i go go for the btwin and maybe stretch to £350 and get the 500 e that has the carbon forks that soak up the road buzz and save a bit of weight ?
http://www.decathlon.co.uk/triban-5...l#anchor_ComponentProductTechnicalInformation

 

[cyberknight]

Or second hand ?

 

[Fubar]

Hi all,
I am planning a 140 km ride from my home in Milton Keynes to Mersea Island on the east coast in Essex. I am currently riding an old Raliegh mountain bike and I am looking for a road bike that will allow me to move a bit quicker especially when riding into the wind. I am currently using cycling to complement my training for a half marathon. I would like to set a budget of £300 ish. I would like more than 14 gears, my 140k ride will not be a race just a personal challenge. I have been looking at the decathlon Btwin triban 3 and the Viking Tre valli. Does anybody have any thoughts on these bikes or suggestions for a entry level bike that could handle this kind of distance. I am thinking that I will need panniers for such a distance, so the frame will need these fixings. Is this correct ?

It's possible you are overthinking this ride (understandably), based on your other thread it will take you between 7-8 hours to complete and as stated above carry what you need with you or purchase on the way at your built in stops. The more weight you carry (panniers) the more it will slow you down negating the new bike, so travel light.

Aim to build up your mileage towards a 100k (always a good target), if you can manage 100k it's not too much of a stretch to get to 140k!

There is plenty of comments on here re the Btwin - also a Triban Owners Club forum (Google it) with plenty of info. I own one and it's a great starter road bike, as stated look around for second-hand bargains.

All the best with your challenge! Regards, Mark

 

[Cycleops]

I think you've more or less answered your own question, the Btwin always comes up trumps on here. The alternative would be to go secondhand but you need to know what you are buying. Someone on here always have a few nice racers on the go at reasonable prices and won't sell you a pup for fear of terrible retribution on here is @biggs682 . He's only about 20 miles from you in Wellingborough.

The only other thing I would add is that a road bike won't have the spread of gears your MTB has. You also need to be aware that road bike sizing is different from mountain bikes.

 

[AndyWilliams]

I bought one of these second hand - Trek 1000 Alpha Series - I paid £150, only ever had bottom bracket since 2002, very good bike for a beginner - one here http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Trek-road...1144419843?pt=UK_Bikes_GL&hash=item2ed5244603

 

[GrumpyGregry]

unless you know your way around a second-hand bike don't risk it, go for a btwin or a carrera.

 

[AndyWilliams]

unless you know your way around a second-hand bike don't risk it, go for a btwin or a carrera.

True. I knew the history from day one and owner so I guess I was lucky.

That btwin is nice

 

[cyberknight]

True. I knew the history from day one and owner so I guess I was lucky.

That btwin is nice

Indeed

Btween the 2 i go go for the btwin and maybe stretch to £350 and get the 500 e that has the carbon forks that soak up the road buzz and save a bit of weight ?
http://www.decathlon.co.uk/triban-5...l#anchor_ComponentProductTechnicalInformation

 

[GrumpyGregry]

True. I knew the history from day one and owner so I guess I was lucky.

That btwin is nice

Hellova lotta bike for the money.

 

[biggs682]

@mk newbie as already mentioned i always have a couple of road bikes for sale and not a million miles away feel free to get in touch , 1 question how tall are you ?

 

[mk newbie]

[QUOT1.biggs682, post: 3218856, member: 1263"]@mk newbie as already mentioned i always have a couple of road bikes for sale and not a million miles away feel free to get in touch , 1 question how tall are you ?[/QUOTE]
I am 1.8 metres tall. I'm not sure what that is in feet and inches.

 

[biggs682]

[QUOT1.biggs682, post: 3218856, member: 1263"]@mk newbie as already mentioned i always have a couple of road bikes for sale and not a million miles away feel free to get in touch , 1 question how tall are you ?

I am 1.8 metres tall. I'm not sure what that is in feet and inches.[/QUOTE]
just pmed you