Going to get my Triban 5a today. Anything I should keep in mind?

[Radchenister]

I think the bike fit that feels 'normal' will alter as time goes on, my saddle came up perhaps 4 times in little increments since December; I ended up reading up on the various calculation methods to experiment with what suited me; my mind told me it seemed high but the calc's told me otherwise and the test of time has proven them right; gradually the bars have edged downwards, as I got used to road bike position after years of MTB, followed by, ahem, far too long doing nought (Size 54 Triban 3, 5'10'' - normal(ish) sized bloke):

 

[DelB]

I think the bike fit that feels 'normal' will alter as time goes on, my saddle came up perhaps 4 times in little increments since December; I ended up reading up on the various calculation methods to experiment with what suited me; my mind told me it seemed high but the calc's told me otherwise and the test of time has proven them right; gradually the bars have edged downwards, as I got used to road bike position after years of MTB, followed by, ahem, far too long doing nought (Size 54 Triban 3, 5'10'' - normal(ish) sized bloke):

What pedals you got on it Toby? Shimano 540's?

 

[Radchenister]

Nope, 520's - likely go to road pedals soon when the glorious weather shows !

 

[DelB]

Nope, 520's - likely go to road pedals soon when the glorious weather shows !

I'm intrigued. Why road pedals? I'm from a MTBing background too and reckon road pedals look awful. Think I'm gonna go with either 540's or XT's. I had XTR's on my Orange 5 Pro and they were superb.

 

[Radchenister]

Not fully convinced myself yet but I'm not walking any more except down the drive , if I can find nice light MTB shoes I may not bother, it will probably come down to available shoe choices.

My mate has some lovely shoes (he was a sponsored triathlete) - you pick them up and compare them to the duffer MTB shoes I'm currently wearing and it does funny things to you psyche, I can't help thinking how many times I'm spinning the extra weight on rides now, I'm ruined mentally .

 

[themosquitoking]

Not fully convinced myself yet but I'm not walking any more except down the drive , if I can find nice light MTB shoes I may not bother, it will probably come down to available shoe choices.

My mate has some lovely shoes (he was a sponsored triathlete) - you pick them up and compare them to the duffer MTB shoes I'm currently wearing and it does funny things to you psyche, I can't help thinking how many times I'm spinning the extra weight on rides now, I'm ruined mentally .

Did you ever pick up his bike?

 

[Radchenister]

No, 'they've' gone back to the sponsor!

He's bought the same as me as a commuter and sees it like a disposable nappy lol - he wasn't interested on spending several K to leave it in a bike shed at work and is now more interested in having fun on a decent MTB.

 

[themosquitoking]

Did he not lose/crash one?

 

[Radchenister]

If he did he didn't mention it.

 

[themosquitoking]

If he did he didn't mention it.

I definitely would have had at least one of those stolen while stopping for a nature break.

 

[Judosteffer]

Wow, that 5a is lush.I think you are the first person to post any pics of one on the internet (apart from decathlons own photos . Any chance of a series of close up pics of the various bits of the bike? I think they are gonna sell a shedload, although I note the price seems to have gone up 29 quid to 429 now.

 

[Judosteffer]

Oh, also, any stickers or clues as to where its made? Hopefully made in Italy or Romania by dedacciai. Who make top notch frames and components

 

[DelB]

Wow, that 5a is lush.I think you are the first person to post any pics of one on the internet (apart from decathlons own photos . Any chance of a series of close up pics of the various bits of the bike? I think they are gonna sell a shedload, although I note the price seems to have gone up 29 quid to 429 now.

I posted 8 or 9 pics of my new 5A on the Triban 3 owners thread the other day. Check out post 1398.
http://www.cyclechat.net/threads/triban-3-owners-club.121260/post-2381946
There doesn't appear to be any sticker or mark on the frame to indicate where it originates from, sadly.

 

[Davemac1]

Hi all,

As per the title, I got a call to say my Triban 5a has arrived at the store and I can go and collect. Other than having the guy there fit the bike to me, is there anything else essential I should know about or ask while I'm there?

As for basic accessories, I'm going to get a couple of 'tubes, patches, and a pump. A helmet will have to wait until next payday. Other than those things, anything else basic I'm forgetting?

Thanks!

Think I may have had a look at your bike your bike Fc. Went into decath lakeside last Monday to look at a 5A and they said they only had one,and that was waiting for a customer to collect.They bought it out for me to have a look at.Very nice. Couldn't believe it was a sub £400 bike. Should have bought one there and then.Gone up £30 now!!

 

[fatCyclist]

Think I may have had a look at your bike your bike Fc. Went into decath lakeside last Monday to look at a 5A and they said they only had one,and that was waiting for a customer to collect.They bought it out for me to have a look at.Very nice. Couldn't believe it was a sub £400 bike. Should have bought one there and then.Gone up £30 now!!

Hi Dave,

I did the same thing with someone else's 5a the previous week. Glad you managed to get a good look at it. I've only been riding it for a week, but I'm really impressed with it. The saddle was horrendous for me, and I bought a Selle from Decathlon earlier today. It's so much more comfortable for me. Everything else is great though. I need to 'dial in' in my fit, but a few adjustments here and there and I'm getting closer. I had a look at a few other Halford and Evans' bikes today while I was up at Lakeside (crazy traffic!) and have to say the Triban looks and feels much better than anything they have in the same price range (and some that are far more expensive). Even with the extra £30, I think it represents good value.