My advice to newbies.

[Psyclist]

Don't know if the O.P is still active, but another bit of advice - When you buy a brand new bike, get spare mech hangers from the bike manufacturer for if/when the original breaks. I made this mistake and had a very hard time finding one. Had to salvage one from a spares or repairs bike on eBay, meaning I had to bid on the frame which cost £50 in the end, just to get the mech hanger!

 

[Biker Joe]

Good post and a lot of useful comments.
Nice one

 

[jim55]

i really recommend the B'Twin Triban 3 - very cheap, comfortable and very very fast, overtake everyone at 19mph average speeds.

http://www.decathlon.co.uk/triban-3-id_8167038.html

hahahahah ,19 mph average ,very good ,whos this ,mr wiggins

 

[Kookas]

hahahahah ,19 mph average ,very good ,whos this ,mr wiggins

Wouldn't pro cyclists would be more into the mid 20s, possibly even approaching 30?

Also, I'm glad to see so many recommendations for the Triban 3 around here (it's pretty much the sole answer to every 'what's the best budget road bike' thread). Got one on the way myself.

 

[antnee]

The B'Twin Triban 3 seem almost to good to be true, though just read two reviews of it and the praise for it seem unequaled, though that said I bought and perhaps regret a hybred Trek which has lockable suspention and though use it on many surfaces up till now purley as the roads round here are very potholed. I could have spent less and got one of these. worth more thought I think... Sorry about the spelling Its just not my forte!

 

[jim55]

Wouldn't pro cyclists would be more into the mid 20s, possibly even approaching 30?

Also, I'm glad to see so many recommendations for the Triban 3 around here (it's pretty much the sole answer to every 'what's the best budget road bike' thread). Got one on the way myself.

well if somebody can mantain an average of 19 mph then id say thats pretty good ,im not talking top speed just an average

 

[Supersuperleeds]

hahahahah ,19 mph average ,very good ,whos this ,mr wiggins

I am averaging in the high fifteens and I am old and over weight and on a front suspension hybrid. I bet there are a lot of riders on here that average 19mph

 

[jim55]

yeah no doubt there are ,but id wager that guys (and girls )who are averaging that speed are not doing so on (lets face it ,good bike .but)on an entry level road bike ,i just think theres a world of difference between 15 and 19 ave (btw im in a town commuting and im ave 13,5 ish !

 

[sddg7tfl]

I average 15mph on a mountain bike running slicks and 17mph on a conventional road bike.
Most of my rides are after work on my third bike, a steel forked hybrid thats been converted to drops, she's a lump of a bike and only
just matches the mountain bikes average speed!!

 

[Sally McSorley]

I think its going to depend a lot on where you live too! :-) I can only dream of average speeds of 19mph. On an average one hour ride I am often doing 1,500 - 2,000 ft worth of climbs.

 

[malcermie]

The B'Twin Triban 3 seem almost to good to be true, though just read two reviews of it and the praise for it seem unequaled, though that said I bought and perhaps regret a hybred Trek which has lockable suspention and though use it on many surfaces up till now purley as the roads round here are very potholed. I could have spent less and got one of these. worth more thought I think... Sorry about the spelling Its just not my forte!

I hope the Triban is that good.........mines on it's way

 

[Kies]

The Triban 3 is a great bike. Only weak point appears to be the wheels. A nice upgrade in 6 months time ,with some decent brake pads and you have a very good bike!

 

[Kookas]

The Triban 3 is a great bike. Only weak point appears to be the wheels. A nice upgrade in 6 months time ,with some decent brake pads and you have a very good bike!

It is, I love going on the drops down descents on mine. Shame that it seems inevitable that an inverted speed bump or just a good old pothole will jump out at you from nowhere.

 

[malcermie]

Only taken my new Triban3 out once so far and now snow on the way! Still never mind soon be spring!

 

[Supersuperleeds]

Just found this, probably been posted before, but will no doubt be useful to somebody and worth psoting again

http://www.britishcycling.org.uk/commuting/article/trav20111121-Effective-Traffic-Riding-pt-1-0