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Hi everyone, I have just got into cycling after retiring from rugby due to injury, I completed my first sprint triathlon last September and have a full diary of events set up for 2013 including an olympic and middle distance (70.3) triathlons and hopefully the London ride 100.
I currently have an old Orbit 650c road bike bought last year 2nd hand for £50 and needed a few small repairs, new tyres and tubes, new bearings to the rear wheel and a bit of an all over set up, oil and lube.
Its been a great bike to get me started but is not Ideal for my size as its a large frame and small wheels, Its a bit of a stretch to the bars from the saddle and long rides tend to be a bit of an achy affair on the shoulders. I have been thinking of getting a Btwin Triban 3 from Decathlon after reading some good reviews, money is a bit tight for me as I'm renovating my house and have just started a new job after being self employed and had to take a drop in wages.
I was interested in the Carrera Zelos form Halfords for the same price £300 but the Triban seems to be a better option, then maybe in a couple of years I can splash out on a higher spec bike.
Anyone got any opinion on these bikes ? how have you found yours Radchenister ?
I currently have an old Orbit 650c road bike bought last year 2nd hand for £50 and needed a few small repairs, new tyres and tubes, new bearings to the rear wheel and a bit of an all over set up, oil and lube.
Its been a great bike to get me started but is not Ideal for my size as its a large frame and small wheels, Its a bit of a stretch to the bars from the saddle and long rides tend to be a bit of an achy affair on the shoulders. I have been thinking of getting a Btwin Triban 3 from Decathlon after reading some good reviews, money is a bit tight for me as I'm renovating my house and have just started a new job after being self employed and had to take a drop in wages.
I was interested in the Carrera Zelos form Halfords for the same price £300 but the Triban seems to be a better option, then maybe in a couple of years I can splash out on a higher spec bike.
Anyone got any opinion on these bikes ? how have you found yours Radchenister ?
Radchenister
Veteran
- Location
- Avon
Interesting you are asking me ... with my reputation ... what are you thinking!?!
My 2p for what it's worth: I will qualify it first by explaining I am a total newbie to road bikes (friends have been bending my ear about them for years and I've got some serious competitive younger mates, one of which was (is?) a GB triathlete who I've been ignoring re' road riding for ages) ... these days I'm a bit on a heavyweight mid 40's ex rugby / football / skier / ran a few half marathons etc. but more recently into river fly fishing and other middle aged fat bloke activities like drinking and eating cheese
; I have however always liked riding bikes, raced BMX a bit as a kid, used to MTB once or twice a week (before kids showed up) around Ashton Court when we lived in Clifton, Bristol but not been at it for a few years ... we (my 10 year old son and I) got a bit enthusiastic watching the TDF this year ... + following Sky / Team GB / Wiggo / Cav / Olympics etc. over the summer and we've been getting out on the MTBs a bit since then, both locally and on trails in Wales / FOD ( http://www.pedalabikeaway.co.uk/advancedriding.html ) , we even went to see the Tour of Britiain come over Pen-Y-Fan near Brecon ... but I can only be classed as an enthusiast, trying to get some youth and fitness back in the system and get out in the air more is my game; the local clubs race past the house here and the scenery is great for cycling, we're located just below the Cotswolds, so giving in to road riding was inevitable really.
I've only been out 3 times recently for 20 -25 KM long rides, have set the bike up with SPDs (cheap Shimano MTB ones, as they came with cleats to go on new shoes), I've added a computer and a bottle cage and that's it - off and running ... erm, riding.
I am clocking only circa 14 mph averages on rides but am already feeling a lot better fitness wise and looking forward to building it more during the winter and really getting going in the spring / summer ... in fact, I'm champing at the bit for the rain to let up to get out again.
To the question about the Triban 3 specifically: I love it, I am amazed at the thing, how they have offered the package at the price is astounding ... it reminds me of the Willys Jeep ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Willys_MB ), it's a no frills, fit for purpose, 'standard issue' vehicle but also quite stylish with a simple, elegant functionality about it.
Edit: ... although I have been reminded by another thread that I had to trim the rear wheel fresh out the box and it looks like people are reporting the wheels as the Achilles Heel of the package.
I spent 3 or 4 months tracking e-bay sales for a suitable second hand bike, planning to buy a road bike at the very latest come spring; after much deliberating, eventually all paths kept leading back to the Triban 3. I almost spent more on a couple of used bikes but am glad I didn't win the auctions now. As a starter bike, it is difficult to criticise - as Christmas approached I saw one go for £226 on e-bay, I bid £211 last minute that didn't register and would have lost anyway but that was that, my mind made up - I concluded for £74ish difference, I may as well just buy a new one and get on with it.
I wanted to make the most of the time off over the winter and start riding sooner rather than later, so I just went for it - I toyed with the Triban 5 but couldn't really see the point in spending the £200 extra, the frame is better finished yes, some of the fiddly bits are a slightly better spec' as well and it comes with nicer pedals for road shoes but as I need to lose the weight of perhaps two or three 'fancy bikes' before I consider upgrading to something really serious, it made little sense to spend too much more for just a few ounces off the kit; it did make sense for me to keep it simple for now and avoid a big spend on something that I might not get on with. I also wanted MTB style SPDs; I am used to these and saw no reason to switch yet, so I stuck with the Triban 3 choice, safe in the knowledge I could sell the bike on and return to MTBing, with a few new toys to put on the old crate, if the road bike experiment didn't pan out.
However, if anyone is two minded I would say just take the plunge and buy one; I can see the Triban 3 staying around for regular use for a year or so at least ... it's now a cherished piece of kit and I am totally happy with the decisions I made (for now at least).
I am also impressed with Decathlon as a company; I have used them for ski and camping kit when in France in the past, so already had an awareness of them but didn't realise they were getting so well established in the UK until recently - the ordering process was simple, my bike turned up in 4 days after ordering it (order placed on the evening 16/12 and arrived after lunch on 20/12) ; on the 18th I was slightly worried, as my bike was down on the Decathlon site as despatched and delivered within just 2 hrs but it wasn't here yet, whilst being untraceable via the Parcel Force reference given to me, so I did some digging and rang the company (searched Yell as number not on website - you need to talk to a London Surrey Quays branch).
It transpires to be a Europe wide issue they need to fix - it's because I assumed it was being assembled in the UK ... in fact, it had just left a French factory site and whilst it had been received by Royal Mail abroad, it was not logged in the UK - it showed on the 19th and was with me the day after.
Apparently the bikes are assembled in a new factory just off the A1 between Lens and Lille approx. 75kms in land from Dunkirk - the BTwin range is wide and varied now and the company will supply 1 Million bikes a year from the area.
The region is now the home of all things Decathlon:
'... nearby is the new BTwin Village
http://www.btwin-village.com/ - a few years back Decathlon were thinking of setting up their headquarters in Chambery but this was shelved in favour of a more Northern location.
After the Chambéry plans were definitely over, the city of Lille proposed the 18 hectare former industrial site of Altadis, the French / Spanish national tobacco plant where Gauloises and Gitanes (the cigarettes, not the bicycles) were made.'
So there we have it, the French have given up the fags in favour of cycling.
Bit long winded that but hope it helps!!!
My 2p for what it's worth: I will qualify it first by explaining I am a total newbie to road bikes (friends have been bending my ear about them for years and I've got some serious competitive younger mates, one of which was (is?) a GB triathlete who I've been ignoring re' road riding for ages) ... these days I'm a bit on a heavyweight mid 40's ex rugby / football / skier / ran a few half marathons etc. but more recently into river fly fishing and other middle aged fat bloke activities like drinking and eating cheese
; I have however always liked riding bikes, raced BMX a bit as a kid, used to MTB once or twice a week (before kids showed up) around Ashton Court when we lived in Clifton, Bristol but not been at it for a few years ... we (my 10 year old son and I) got a bit enthusiastic watching the TDF this year ... + following Sky / Team GB / Wiggo / Cav / Olympics etc. over the summer and we've been getting out on the MTBs a bit since then, both locally and on trails in Wales / FOD ( http://www.pedalabikeaway.co.uk/advancedriding.html ) , we even went to see the Tour of Britiain come over Pen-Y-Fan near Brecon ... but I can only be classed as an enthusiast, trying to get some youth and fitness back in the system and get out in the air more is my game; the local clubs race past the house here and the scenery is great for cycling, we're located just below the Cotswolds, so giving in to road riding was inevitable really.I've only been out 3 times recently for 20 -25 KM long rides, have set the bike up with SPDs (cheap Shimano MTB ones, as they came with cleats to go on new shoes), I've added a computer and a bottle cage and that's it - off and running ... erm, riding.
I am clocking only circa 14 mph averages on rides but am already feeling a lot better fitness wise and looking forward to building it more during the winter and really getting going in the spring / summer ... in fact, I'm champing at the bit for the rain to let up to get out again.
To the question about the Triban 3 specifically: I love it, I am amazed at the thing, how they have offered the package at the price is astounding ... it reminds me of the Willys Jeep ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Willys_MB ), it's a no frills, fit for purpose, 'standard issue' vehicle but also quite stylish with a simple, elegant functionality about it.
Edit: ... although I have been reminded by another thread that I had to trim the rear wheel fresh out the box and it looks like people are reporting the wheels as the Achilles Heel of the package.
I spent 3 or 4 months tracking e-bay sales for a suitable second hand bike, planning to buy a road bike at the very latest come spring; after much deliberating, eventually all paths kept leading back to the Triban 3. I almost spent more on a couple of used bikes but am glad I didn't win the auctions now. As a starter bike, it is difficult to criticise - as Christmas approached I saw one go for £226 on e-bay, I bid £211 last minute that didn't register and would have lost anyway but that was that, my mind made up - I concluded for £74ish difference, I may as well just buy a new one and get on with it.
I wanted to make the most of the time off over the winter and start riding sooner rather than later, so I just went for it - I toyed with the Triban 5 but couldn't really see the point in spending the £200 extra, the frame is better finished yes, some of the fiddly bits are a slightly better spec' as well and it comes with nicer pedals for road shoes but as I need to lose the weight of perhaps two or three 'fancy bikes' before I consider upgrading to something really serious, it made little sense to spend too much more for just a few ounces off the kit; it did make sense for me to keep it simple for now and avoid a big spend on something that I might not get on with. I also wanted MTB style SPDs; I am used to these and saw no reason to switch yet, so I stuck with the Triban 3 choice, safe in the knowledge I could sell the bike on and return to MTBing, with a few new toys to put on the old crate, if the road bike experiment didn't pan out.
However, if anyone is two minded I would say just take the plunge and buy one; I can see the Triban 3 staying around for regular use for a year or so at least ... it's now a cherished piece of kit and I am totally happy with the decisions I made (for now at least).
I am also impressed with Decathlon as a company; I have used them for ski and camping kit when in France in the past, so already had an awareness of them but didn't realise they were getting so well established in the UK until recently - the ordering process was simple, my bike turned up in 4 days after ordering it (order placed on the evening 16/12 and arrived after lunch on 20/12) ; on the 18th I was slightly worried, as my bike was down on the Decathlon site as despatched and delivered within just 2 hrs but it wasn't here yet, whilst being untraceable via the Parcel Force reference given to me, so I did some digging and rang the company (searched Yell as number not on website - you need to talk to a London Surrey Quays branch).
It transpires to be a Europe wide issue they need to fix - it's because I assumed it was being assembled in the UK ... in fact, it had just left a French factory site and whilst it had been received by Royal Mail abroad, it was not logged in the UK - it showed on the 19th and was with me the day after.
Apparently the bikes are assembled in a new factory just off the A1 between Lens and Lille approx. 75kms in land from Dunkirk - the BTwin range is wide and varied now and the company will supply 1 Million bikes a year from the area.
The region is now the home of all things Decathlon:
'... nearby is the new BTwin Village
After the Chambéry plans were definitely over, the city of Lille proposed the 18 hectare former industrial site of Altadis, the French / Spanish national tobacco plant where Gauloises and Gitanes (the cigarettes, not the bicycles) were made.'
So there we have it, the French have given up the fags in favour of cycling.
Bit long winded that but hope it helps!!!
Interesting you are asking me ... with my reputation ... what are you thinking!?!
Thanks Radchenister for the reply, some very good points for me to consider, to make matters worse, I have convinced myself I need the triban 5 after a quick look at them yesterday in the decathlon store, the helpfull shop assistant was happy for me to have a little ride, even suggesting I have a go round the carpark, but up and down aisle 5 was ok for me to get the feel, I know they try to squeeze every penny out of you but he did have some good points about the better wheels and groupset, lighter frame and smoother ride, he also mentioned changing the tyres asap and the not so good change down levers that take some getting used to if not experienced before.
I think for £499 its not a bad deal for a first propper bike, of course theres a strong chance I will fall in love with another bike should I happen to step foot into another cycle establishment and find a bright "special offer" sign
I think for £499 its not a bad deal for a first propper bike, of course theres a strong chance I will fall in love with another bike should I happen to step foot into another cycle establishment and find a bright "special offer" sign
Thanks Radchenister for the reply, some very good points for me to consider, to make matters worse, I have convinced myself I need the triban 5 after a quick look at them yesterday in the decathlon store, the helpfull shop assistant was happy for me to have a little ride, even suggesting I have a go round the carpark, but up and down aisle 5 was ok for me to get the feel, I know they try to squeeze every penny out of you but he did have some good points about the better wheels and groupset, lighter frame and smoother ride, he also mentioned changing the tyres asap and the not so good change down levers that take some getting used to if not experienced before.
I think for £499 its not a bad deal for a first propper bike, of course theres a strong chance I will fall in love with another bike should I happen to step foot into another cycle establishment and find a bright "special offer" sign
I think for £499 its not a bad deal for a first propper bike, of course theres a strong chance I will fall in love with another bike should I happen to step foot into another cycle establishment and find a bright "special offer" sign
Radchenister
Veteran
- Location
- Avon
If you want it and fancy spending the money, then it's up to you; choosing is fun but getting on with it and seeing how it pans out was also a criteria of mine.
Almost did the same thing in going for the 5 but as I say, for me personally, I didn't see the point; it does open up a whole new world of price point choices and really I just wanted to get going.
We'll see how the 'cheapo' wheels pan out, I'm ready to tweak and maintain them, so not too worried; the mixed reports leave me wondering if it is in fact as bad an issue as made out but only time will tell, so watch this space - it's not such a big deal to upgrade them and if I get 2K out of them, then I'll deserve new ones.
What degree the group set and other upgrades make a difference to the leisure cyclist is not something I'm going to worry about too much when pootlin' round the lanes here; I made a clear choice to keep it simple and get out on a starter bike, that's the whole point, there's a simplicity of thinking offered to you by the Triban 3; if you are aiming to do triathlons, your criteria are of course different and I'm sure you can track down some folks on here who can advise well at the £500 mark - there's probably too much choice.
Levers ... the levers took about 2 min's to get used to and I haven't thought about them since.
Onto tires ... I've ridden a few different motorcycles on both track and road in my halcyon days; you quickly learn that rubber choice matters ... however (I'm sure the serious guys will now shoot me down here) ... I'm not too bothered by the tires either at the mo', they look like real ones to me, they're round and they fit on the wheels, they inflate enough to carry my bulk, they're smoothish (perhaps with a little texture) and they roll down the road just as they're supposed to - admittedly, at the vast speeds I'm carrying I should be more concerned for my own hide but I'll just keep my eyes peeled, pre-plan and pick the easy lines, clip apexes gently, generally avoid bumps / gravel / smooth tar / potholes / manholes / white lines etc., keep it stable when sprinting up and flying down mountains, whilst also refraining from trying to get my knee down in the tight corners for now
.
Almost did the same thing in going for the 5 but as I say, for me personally, I didn't see the point; it does open up a whole new world of price point choices and really I just wanted to get going.
We'll see how the 'cheapo' wheels pan out, I'm ready to tweak and maintain them, so not too worried; the mixed reports leave me wondering if it is in fact as bad an issue as made out but only time will tell, so watch this space - it's not such a big deal to upgrade them and if I get 2K out of them, then I'll deserve new ones.
What degree the group set and other upgrades make a difference to the leisure cyclist is not something I'm going to worry about too much when pootlin' round the lanes here; I made a clear choice to keep it simple and get out on a starter bike, that's the whole point, there's a simplicity of thinking offered to you by the Triban 3; if you are aiming to do triathlons, your criteria are of course different and I'm sure you can track down some folks on here who can advise well at the £500 mark - there's probably too much choice.
Levers ... the levers took about 2 min's to get used to and I haven't thought about them since.
Onto tires ... I've ridden a few different motorcycles on both track and road in my halcyon days; you quickly learn that rubber choice matters ... however (I'm sure the serious guys will now shoot me down here) ... I'm not too bothered by the tires either at the mo', they look like real ones to me, they're round and they fit on the wheels, they inflate enough to carry my bulk, they're smoothish (perhaps with a little texture) and they roll down the road just as they're supposed to - admittedly, at the vast speeds I'm carrying I should be more concerned for my own hide but I'll just keep my eyes peeled, pre-plan and pick the easy lines, clip apexes gently, generally avoid bumps / gravel / smooth tar / potholes / manholes / white lines etc., keep it stable when sprinting up and flying down mountains, whilst also refraining from trying to get my knee down in the tight corners for now
.
i hate hills
Its my day to be brilliant
Hi all . I live in Brechin , Scotland and i cycle as a means of trying to shed some pounds. I love it and it takes me back to my childhood as we lived out in the country and had to bike into town to meet up with friends. As it's the last day of the year let me take this opportunity to wish you all a happy new year. Cheers .Hello,
So you've signed-up, got your user account, now all you need to do is get posting .... ah, um, er, What do I say?
Well, it's dead easy - just say Hello and tell us a little bit about yourself and whereabouts you're from (so we can invite you along to rides!!)
Believe me, once you get that first post under your belt you'll be off!
My name's Shaun by the way, and I own and operate CycleChat.
If you need any help or advice on using the forums, or want to ask a question but don't want to do it publicly - just send me a PM (private message).
Hope you enjoy, and welcome to CycleChat
Cheers,
Shaun
Mo1959
Legendary Member
- Location
- Perthshire,Scotland
Welcome to the forum from down the road a bit in Crieff. Love your user name. I hate hills too but living in Scotland it is hard to avoid them. A happy new year to you too and here's hoping for a much drier 2013 so we can all get some miles logged in nice weather.
i hate hills
Its my day to be brilliant
Thank you for your welcome message.Hopefully 2013 will be dryer......lets face it 2012 couldn't have much wetter if it tried. I hope you managed to avoid the worst of the floods down there.All the best for 2013....here's too lots of sunny days and not too many hills.
Ianw
New Member
- Location
- Isle of Man
Happy new year all, bought a MTB in 2011 after not riding for many years. During 2011 absolutely hammered the miles most days and weeks until the nights closed in. With last year being a washout didn't do that much but determined to start early and shed some weight this year. So starting at weekends then increasing to weeknights during march onwards. Will keep tabs on my miles to see what I can clock up throughout the year.
- Status
