Roadie question

[Edwards80]

My Triban only rubs if I seriously cross chain it (that said, big chainring/little cog only causes slight rubbing). I used a bike servicing manual and learnt to adjust it myself - it's worth learning, I think, rather than relying on the shop. In fact I went out with a club on Sunday and noticed that my drivetrain was one of the quietest in the group

I'd get them to take another look at it though if it's rubbing a lot and you don't want to adjust it yourself.

 

[Cyrax.NET]

I am going to look at some articles and youtube videos, see if I can do it myself. It just strange that on leaving the factory or during setup in the shop, it would not be adjusted.
I'm a bit hesitant to play around possibly making it worse but the nearest Dec. to me is still 45mins drive.

Do Halfords have a walk in service to look at bikes not bought from them at reasonable rates?

 

[dykm2]

Viking Race San Remo 1012 16 speed £299 @ Decathlon Sheffield
Hey guys, I just spent half of Saturday accidentally buying a new toy and thought i'd share my findings.

Options were:

Halfords Carrera - TDF £329 had a bit of a cheep look about it, steel forks, shimano 2300 chainset.
Halfords Carrera - Virtuosa £399 much prettier but essentially the same hardware.
Decathlon BTwin - Triban 3 £299 - Triple chain rings, carbon forks, shimano 2300 groupset
Decathlon Viking - San Remo £299 - Double chain rings, sora group set, carbon forks, pretty sweet looking aero rims. 0.5kg heavier than Triban 3.

Went with the San Remo in the end. 2 reasons: 1)Sora Group set. 2)Awesome white paint job and shiny aero rims. If you desperately want a triple, the Triban 3 is the only option but I think its unnecessary. Either way, I don't think you would be disappointed with either. On the other hand, if I'd bought one of the Carreras then seen the Triban 3 or San Remo, I'd have been kicking myself for getting a lower spec at a higher price.

Decathlon were spot on at setting up the bike, also swapped the black foam bar tape for white faux leather for free because I didn't like the way it was wrapped from top to bottom not bottom to top (as is the norm) and it ruckled up as you moved your hands between positions. Decathlon also throw in a set of free lights with every bike. I got some BTwin SPD touring pedals put on it in store as I already have SPDs on my Stinky. I think SPDs are a must have and I think most riders who have tried both would agree.

Having done 60miles already in 2 1/2 days I'm grinning ear to ear. I have to admit to thinking a granny cog (3rd ring) would be nice on day 1 but having told my self to man up and get up the damn hill (out in the peak district round redmire reservoir) I've decided I don't need the 3rd ring at all and was just being a wuss. All in all I'm really pleased with the San Remo, I think Viking have managed to cram in some respectable gear at well below the expected price point.

Hope this is useful to someone!

Dykm

Back story: I'm a mountain biker / down hiller: Kona Stinky, Diamond Back M30. This is my first step into the forbidden world of lycra and razor blade tyres. So far I'm loving the blistering speed!

 

[lightxposure]

interesting thread. thank you fellas
I've been a leisure cyclist since quittin a 30 year smoking habit in 1997. At 5ft 7" I ride an 18" mens 2009 carrera subway 2 I've had from new and it's a cracking bike.
However .... as a 61 yr old granny riding home all uphill for the last mile withpanniers full of shopping from towm several miles away, and being of v large girth, I'm already hauling several extra stone anyway :/ I decided my bad back and dodgy right knee needed a granny cog 24 gear, 700mm tyre alu bike.

So sold the 20" 1994 Raleigh Dyna Tech Diablo that I had finally given up the deluded hope of ever growning into and bought fom Halfords a Vodoo Marasa...big mistake.... returned within 24 hrs for refund....usual crap Halfords assembly job and service :/

And decided on an 18" ladies Viking Vienna cos of 700mm wheels, 24 grs etc.... buying through Amazon and will self assemble.... only thing slightly worrying me is I've never adjusted gears before if I need to ..yikes... thank God for youtube eh!? but when I''m up and cycling, am happy to pass on the experience of its build and quality and riding.

And no more mick-taking 'granny cog' comments pplllllss Us grannies aint watchya think........and if you knew my day job.... well that would probably bust wide open any final preconceptions aout grannies hee hee )
kind regards all
LX

 

[Alun]

Do Halfords have a walk in service to look at bikes not bought from them at reasonable rates?

Halfords servicing has been extensively criticized on this forum, have a go yourself, look on YouTube for guidance. It sounds like the cable tension needs some adjustment, which is easy enough. Turn the adjuster half a turn at a time and check to see if it has improved. Remember what you have done, then you can undo it if necessary.

 

[billy1561]

I've got a butler hybrid and while its not anything special it does its job admirably.

 

[Fab Foodie]

Just bought a Triban 3 for the lad and it's brilliant. Value-wise it's unbeatable (I think a triple is worth having over a compact any day) and the quality is fantastic. It would be my choice of budget bike.without a doubt. As it takes full mudguards as well it would make a perfect budget commuter or winter bike. I'm quite tempted ....

 

[Fab Foodie]

So I went out for a ride some point last week on the 60cm and within 20minutes or so realised I'd bought the wrong size!
The 60 was to large as I would of thought but I got carried away and didn't know what to look for when I was in Decathalon. Good way to tell if the bike is to large or the fitting incorrect, is your arms are locked reaching out for the handle bars. There should be slightl bend to absorb the shocks.

Anyways after looking at a few sizing guides again and taking your advice SD, I went back and got the 57. It instantly felt better.
I went out yesterday and cycled with a few friends and did near enough 40 miles.

For anyone considering the Triban 3, it is an excellent bike for the price. Although I'm new to road bikes, it feels tight, the frame absorbs knocks in the road well and I was suprised how comfortable the toe clips were. The breaks are not the best in the world so you'll find your self breaking alot sooner but I guess you could upgrade these.
All in all, I'd recommend it, espeically when climbing those hills. Makes a world of a difference.

I wanted to find out from anyone who already has the bike, if they have any advice on the chain rubbing against the front derailleur? I noticed it on the 60cm and put it down to poor adjustment so I asked the technician to double check the 57 and although better, I find it still rubs. I understand when you cross the chain, you'll get rubbing but I was in middle cog at the front and near enough middle at the back and still some slight rubbing. Really off putting and worried I'm damaging the bike. In fact there was very few combinations that did not cause rubbing of some sort! Is it an adjuement issue or just a fact of the cheaper 2300 groupset?

Brakes take time to bed in and can easily be improved by changing the blocks to a better compund like Koolstop Salmons at the front and blacks at the rear.
The lad's Triban had similar rubbings when we first got it. It's worth remembering that cables stretch a bit when new so adjustment with the barrel adjuster is useful. However, I found with the front derailieur it needed a slight repositioning to run 'cleanly' and now runs pretty smoothly. Make sure it's parallel to the chain when viewed from above and secondly it's high enough up the seat-tube, I think it benefits from being slightly higher than the 2 to 3 mm clearance to the outer teeth than is usual.
Take a look at Sheldon or the manual about set-up.