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Triban 500 or ...?

by magslmac
Tue, Jun 10, 2014 20:22
7

Hi,
I'm an active gym rpm class attendee and am keen to extend fitness sessions by cycling on the road. I know I want drop handles, shimano sora shifters, and a sportive type geometry. However, I am not used to roads and am wondering how much road riding I actually will do. If I do a lot, an investment in Giant defy 3 would payoff and if I do little, it's second hand value might be ok. However, the smaller outlay for the triban 500 has the advantage of being a lower risk if I do little riding, but will come up short if I do a lot. I had originally thought of a cx bike in case I was chicken on the road and could then go on slightly rougher off-road paths/old railway lines etc.
Any advice please?!?

If you're new please join in and if you have questions pop them below and the forum regulars will answer as best we can.

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7 comments

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Mrmiik | 9 years ago
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These Volants seem popular right now - was chatting about this in another forum on here about them. My brother has one and I thrashed it on a sportive in Wales in late April, handled well. Really well built. They have a really nice frame. Stiff and handles really well. However the wheels on the 2013 version are heavy. The bike climbs like a pig! However I think they fixed this for 2014 with a compact crankset (much wider gear spread).

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Mrmiik replied to Mrmiik | 9 years ago
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Mrmiik wrote:

These Volants seem popular right now - was chatting about this in another forum on here about them. My brother has one and I thrashed it on a sportive in Wales in late April, handled well. Really well built. They have a really nice frame. Stiff and handles really well. However the wheels on the 2013 version are heavy. The bike climbs like a pig! However I think they fixed this for 2014 with a compact crankset (much wider gear spread).

http://road.cc/content/forum/120923-triban-500-or-genesis-volant-10-2014-£450#comment-263205

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Mrmiik | 9 years ago
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I have a Triban 3 gathering dust in my basement. It has a triple on it which makes hills a breeze if you are happy going slow. However, the components just won't last long IMO.

I have a Focus CX bike - the Rapha edition - so it is rather blingy with carbon shifters and what not. However they do more down to earth ones.

Consider Specialized CX bikes - the Crux was my other choice but it is a proper Cross machine so quite aggressive. The do the TriCross which is very versatile.

Also there is Genesis - British make and cracking bikes.
Kinesis too - but more geared to people who actually race Cyclocross...

I know that Pinnacle Arkose are getting good reviews, but I've never seen one.

Have a look around and see what is out there, but I recommend getting down to a good local bike shop and seeing what they have. Where are you based?

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magslmac replied to Mrmiik | 9 years ago
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Edinburgh. I have tried the specialised tricross and revolution 2014 cx bike. Enjoyed the former but a bit too expensive for e until I know what I really will want. It seems the Volant at a discount of £300 on rrp is useful s I can try it out and sell it at little loss if it is not what I want? It buys me some time do you think?

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Mrmiik | 9 years ago
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Buy a CX bike (don't worry about discs). I would recommend SRAM to be fair - light and compatible with Shimano.

Within months of owning a Triban 300 the thing was showing wear and tear. I did maintain it, but they just can't hold up to riding in British weather.

Not being rude but I don't know anyone who would 'want' sora shifters - it's kind of what you are putting up with....

Anyhow, get a CX bike, probably with SRAM Apex or Rival for best bang for buck (SRAM apex cassette has a super low gear for those hills - you are coming from spinning right? Don't expect this to translate to amazing ability on the road!

The CX bike can take a few more knocks (expect to fall over with clip ins 1 ), will offer you far more versatility, and the geometry is much more upright, a la sportive style. Of course, you can easily swap the tyres for some nice skinny ones and hey presto - you have a decent winter hack for when you inevitably get a fully Campagnolo equipped Italian racing dream machine 3

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magslmac replied to Mrmiik | 9 years ago
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thanks Mrmiik. Any suggestions about bikes with SRAM or Rival ?
I certainly expect to fall over in clips and have no fantasies about being brilliant on the road. ( I am not even brilliant in the gym!!).
Give me a recommended cx bike ( please ) and I will then imagine my £4,000 carbon roadster for the future!

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magslmac replied to magslmac | 9 years ago
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I meant to say that my niece and her partner just completed the hightest UK sportive (104 miles) on a triban 3 and 7 respectively and they swear by the triban make! Who's right?

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