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First road bike

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  • November 2, 2016 at 9:15 am #26456
    Allroy

    I’ve only ever had a basic Boardman hybrid but am now starting to get into more serious cycling.  Starting to see its limitations.  So I’m going to buy a first road bike.  Plan is to buy a decent entry level one now given its start of winter, and buy a more bells and whistles machine in spring.

     

    I’m considering the following bikes and would be interested to here if anyone has any views on them from experience:

    – Specialized Allez E5

    – B’twin Triban 520 or 540

    – Boardman Road Sport or Road Comp

     

    I will mostly be doing weekend rides through countryside, probably doing 30-49 milers.  

     

    Any views much appreciated.

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  • November 22, 2016 at 8:16 am #881287
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    Allroy

    Thanks for all of the helpful

    Thanks for all of the helpful comments above.  I went out and bought a Triban 520 yesterday.  Seems to strike the right balance between price and kit.  I’m spending enough to get decent gears (Sora) etc, but not so much that I would be afraid to put it through a Scottish winter.

    In spring time I might go for one of their Ultra 700s or a Mach 720.

    November 19, 2016 at 10:08 pm #881285
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    Allroy

    I just spotted that CRC are

    I just spotted that CRC are doing the Vitus Razor 2016 for only £300.  That looks like it should be a decent match for the Triban 500 given it has a Claris groupset instead of the Microshift?

    Views?

    http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/mobile/vitus-bikes-razor-road-bike-2016/rp-prod135380

    November 11, 2016 at 5:19 pm #881283
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    scousegreg

    Ribble cycles are doing a

    Ribble cycles are doing a great deal with an Evo Sora carbon framed bike for £499!

    November 11, 2016 at 4:38 pm #881281
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    Dnnnnnn

    More cheapness

    More cheapness

    http://www.cyclingweekly.co.uk/news/latest-news/best-black-friday-deals-for-cyclists-2015-201267

    November 6, 2016 at 11:57 pm #881279
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    Batchy

    Try Planet X Pro Carbon for

    Try Planet X Pro Carbon for unbeatable price and value !

    November 6, 2016 at 9:19 pm #881277
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    huntswheelers
    Allroy wrote:
    Am I missing something about this bike’s tech spec, or is this an absolute steal for what I’m wanting?

    http://www.decathlon.co.uk/triban-500-road-bike-black-id_8331913.html

     

    Great starter bike, same finishing kit like frame protectors from cable rub as the dearer bikes…no carbon fork…as for MicroShift kit… works well and reliable…Merida are using it (branded as Sunrace) on many of their bikes… expect to see it more in the future as they go up to 11 speed dura ace compatible kit … 

    The 500 is well finished, Hutchinson Equinox 2 dual compound tyres..cartridge type brakes so easy pad changes.. Lots for your cash and a decent bike… and NO…I don’t work for Decathlon, but I get many customers asking for me about B’twin’s for them as they see the great reports on the bikes.

    If you do the research you will see that the main designer came from Look bikes and they run a tight ship …..search for B’twin Village and B’twin U19 racing team..

    November 6, 2016 at 9:12 pm #881275
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    huntswheelers
    Allroy wrote:
    Popped into nearest Decathlon today to check out the 520 and 540. Both lovely bikes with a good spec, especially the 540. Currently very hard to look past them as both giving way more bang for your buck than the “brands”.

     

    Correct…. the Decathlon buy bulk and sell direct to the customer…..  works well…. Customer of mine went to a LBS to look at options for extra lights on his way home…he took his bike into the shop for security reasons….they took the p155….as it’s a 540 B’twin….he wiped the floor with them as their nearest offering was £700 dearer….he said..I can have 2 of these for one of those with ths same spec…and to be fair…it’s a a brillian bike, great finishing kit inc frame protectors for the cables..

    November 6, 2016 at 8:55 pm #881273
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    Dnnnnnn
    Allroy wrote:
    Am I missing something about this bike’s tech spec, or is this an absolute steal for what I’m wanting?

    http://www.decathlon.co.uk/triban-500-road-bike-black-id_8331913.html

    It’s a good deal. Decathlon’s cheaper bikes save again by using Microshift transmission parts which I’ve no direct experience of but are probably OK as they seem to have stuck with them for years.

    The other cost-cut on the basic 500 model mentioned above is a steel fork, rather than the carbon on the next model up. Adds a bit of weight and I’d go for the carbon option had it been just £20 more – except that it’s £50 more atm.

    Strange 29.8mm seatpin size too but that’s unlikely to be a problem.

    November 6, 2016 at 8:38 pm #881271
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    Dnnnnnn
    dafyddp wrote:
    HalfWheeler wrote:
    …I had to service and then eventually replace the wheels within a year; sealed bearings replaced several times in both instances before giving up and buying new off the peg wheels.

    good point, but a set of Shimano WH-RS10 wheels are under £100.  If you need to sling the originals and spend that amount a year later, it makes for a very affordable bike. Completely agree cheaper bikes cut corners, but making small upgrades is a good way to learn about the mechanics, if nothing else. 

    WRT HalfWheeler’s post, Decathlon’s is also a cost-efficient business model. They spec and source their own brand stuff and sell them in large numbers from a small number number of (physical) locations. Bit like Lidl/Aldi?

    November 6, 2016 at 9:40 am #881269
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    dafyddp
    HalfWheeler wrote:
    …I had to service and then eventually replace the wheels within a year; sealed bearings replaced several times in both instances before giving up and buying new off the peg wheels.

    good point, but a set of Shimano WH-RS10 wheels are under £100.  If you need to sling the originals and spend that amount a year later, it makes for a very affordable bike. Completely agree cheaper bikes cut corners, but making small upgrades is a good way to learn about the mechanics, if nothing else. 

    November 6, 2016 at 8:53 am #881267
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    HalfWheeler

    One thing I’d be careful

    One thing I’d be careful about, esp when buying a bike that looks like a great spec for a cheap price, is where they cut corners. Giving you Shimano 105 for a cheap price means they have to tighten the profit margins elsewhere.

    If it’s bog standard setaposts, saddles, bars etc then it’s nothing to worry about. But I’ve had my fingers burnt a couple of times with ‘great deals’ where the corner cutting extended to own brand wheels with crummy hubs. In both cases I had to service and then eventually replace the wheels within a year; sealed bearings replaced several times in both instances before giving up and buying new off the peg wheels.

    November 6, 2016 at 8:28 am #881265
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    Allroy

    Am I missing something about

    Am I missing something about this bike’s tech spec, or is this an absolute steal for what I’m wanting?

    http://www.decathlon.co.uk/triban-500-road-bike-black-id_8331913.html

    November 3, 2016 at 7:02 pm #881263
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    Allroy

    Popped into nearest Decathlon

    Popped into nearest Decathlon today to check out the 520 and 540. Both lovely bikes with a good spec, especially the 540. Currently very hard to look past them as both giving way more bang for your buck than the “brands”.

    November 3, 2016 at 2:27 pm #881261
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    Dnnnnnn
    unconstituted wrote:
    The De Rosa is £799. Rushed through to grab one, says £299 on the article..

    Made me click laugh

    It now says £799 on the CW article, although I think I also saw £299 previously. 

    November 3, 2016 at 1:33 pm #881259
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    tritecommentbot

    The De Rosa is £799. Rushed

    The De Rosa is £799. Rushed through to grab one, says £299 on the article..

     

    Made me click laugh

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