New bike, new start.

Page may contain affiliate links. Please see terms for details.

fatCyclist

Well-Known Member
Location
Grays, Thurrock
I bought a Triban 5 a few months back and then got injured shortly after. I've been trying to get back into it, but just couldn't get on with the road bike. I think it's a combination of being overweight, unfit, and having a bike that is too large for me. No matter what I did, I just couldn't get comfortable on it.

So, on a whim, I thought I'd look at an alternative. A week's research later and I go down to Evans today to try out a Specialized Sirrus 2013, and wow, what a difference. First of all their test ride policy is excellent; far better than Decathlon's, who only let me ride it around the shop. At the time it felt okay, but in hindsight I should have realised it wasn't enough to gauge the bike's fit. I trusted the dude there and that was a mistake.

I took the Sirrus out for a relatively long ride, tested it out on a variety of surfaces and couldn't believe how much better it was to ride. Much more comfortable. No more excessive reaching, no pain in the backside, legs, arms or neck, and it was more stable, handling bumps and potholes like my old MTB from the 90s.
It's a size smaller than the Triban, and the more up-right position is better suited to me:
photo-1-2.jpg


Long story short, I bought it and I'm looking forward to getting back into cycling and shedding the pounds (of fat, no more money, hopefully). For those who want an as-new Triban 5 for a bargain price, I have it listed in the form's classified here: http://www.cyclechat.net/threads/for-sale-decathlon-triban-5-road-bike-as-new.138398/
 
Last edited:

Linford

Guest
Well done, see if you can get people to ride out with...even if they only want to do part of a circuit.
 

aidB

Regular
I bought one too. It does everything I want it to do. I feel it's a good beginner's bike. Good luck with your new lease of cycling life, and don't forget to change your current bike status.^_^
 
OP
OP
fatCyclist

fatCyclist

Well-Known Member
Location
Grays, Thurrock
I took a fair while researching this so I was confident it'd be a good bike, but I'm really pleased with it. Went out for a quick 15mins ride tonight and not only was my average speed faster than my Triban, but it was infinitely more comfortable. No pain or discomfort while riding this at all.
 

videoman

Guru
Location
Staffordshire
Looks very nice and a change from the normal dropped handlebar bikes on the forum. I have a couple of bikes, the first a Dawes Sardar touring bike with drop handlebars and a Giant bitsa I've put together with straight bars and would really like a Trek Domane I have seen but at the moment I cannot make a decision due to the drop handlebars fitted to the Trek or would I be better with another straight bar bike instead.

Thats a fair bit of weight loss your trying for, I've no excuse starting at 182lbs and target 168lbs.
 
OP
OP
fatCyclist

fatCyclist

Well-Known Member
Location
Grays, Thurrock
Looks very nice and a change from the normal dropped handlebar bikes on the forum. I have a couple of bikes, the first a Dawes Sardar touring bike with drop handlebars and a Giant bitsa I've put together with straight bars and would really like a Trek Domane I have seen but at the moment I cannot make a decision due to the drop handlebars fitted to the Trek or would I be better with another straight bar bike instead.

Thats a fair bit of weight loss your trying for, I've no excuse starting at 182lbs and target 168lbs.

Aye, it's a big target for the weight loss, but it's needed. I'm in no rush though. A couple of lbs a week will suit me.

I think dropbars are great for many people, but I wouldn't be in a rush to buy another. I just don't personally get on well with them, but then at this stage that could solely be down to the size do the bike. Perhaps a small, more suitable bike would have been more comfortable, but either way, the flat bars are definitely right for me. I might add bar ends eventually when I ride longer distances, just so I have an alternative position to use. Just because the bars are flat to being with, I see no reason why options can't be added later if need be :smile:

Good luck for your weight loss.
 

videoman

Guru
Location
Staffordshire
I use bar ends on my Giant bitsa and find them just as comfortable as my Dawes with dropbars. Another advantage I find is you can see more of what is going on around you and enjoy the scenery.

Good luck and keep us up to date with your progress.
 
OP
OP
fatCyclist

fatCyclist

Well-Known Member
Location
Grays, Thurrock
I use bar ends on my Giant bitsa and find them just as comfortable as my Dawes with dropbars. Another advantage I find is you can see more of what is going on around you and enjoy the scenery.

Good luck and keep us up to date with your progress.

Exactly, I'd much rather enjoy the ride than be 'head down' and not see anything :smile:

Thanks. I'm on Strava so I'll link to my progress in the newbie progress thread :smile:
 
OP
OP
fatCyclist

fatCyclist

Well-Known Member
Location
Grays, Thurrock
I've got to lose about 18-20 lbs to get to my target BMI. I don't like diets either :sad:

Me neither, tried dozens of them. Now I just eat healthy and track what I eat. Lost 10lbs in the last 4 weeks this way without exercise. I'm now at the stage where I don't miss the crappy food. Good luck with your weight loss, though. On the upside, it's a relatively small amount, although that can be difficult.
 

Linford

Guest
Me neither, tried dozens of them. Now I just eat healthy and track what I eat. Lost 10lbs in the last 4 weeks this way without exercise. I'm now at the stage where I don't miss the crappy food. Good luck with your weight loss, though. On the upside, it's a relatively small amount, although that can be difficult.

TBH, I've got to try and get it down for health reasons as well (T2 diabetic). I'm about 11 1/2 stone now, and got to try and get it down to 10 stone or maybe just over. I have got my decent bike back now from criminal hands after a 2 1/2 year absence which is a huge incentive to go back out and use it :smile:
 
Top Bottom