vickster
Legendary Member
Higher Bottom Bracket? Taller headtube?
New Triban RC520...?
- Thread starter MilkRace
- Start date
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plasticniki
Well-Known Member
ideally we'd have different (lower) gearing on the front. 46/30 or something but i don't think they've done that.
650b capabilities. wider tyres (40c, maybe bigger).
It looks like the same gearing. The frame will take 38c wheels (IIRC) so presumably the gravel version will come with 30+ as standard.
I've got plans to get a decent set of 25c wheels for next summer on the road. At the moment I've got the stock 28c wheels + mudguards for the winter so that's all good.
For anyone still reading this thread ... this does seem to be a proper "do anything" bike. Change the wheels to suit your purpose and then crack on!
I've got plans to get a decent set of 25c wheels for next summer on the road. At the moment I've got the stock 28c wheels + mudguards for the winter so that's all good.
For anyone still reading this thread ... this does seem to be a proper "do anything" bike. Change the wheels to suit your purpose and then crack on!
MrPorridge
Well-Known Member
- Location
- North West England
The RC520 in Small size is in stock on the Decathlon website so I'm trying to decide between that @ £729 and the similar spec. Vitus Zenium VR Disc @ £829 from Wiggle/Chain Reaction (that's with a 25% discount but I'm monitoring it in case there are any final clearance deals).
The bikes are similarly size with identical seat tube and effective top tube length. The RC520 has a 5mm shorter head tube but is described as a having a relaxed geometry while the Zenium reviews say it's a slightly sportier geometry, somewhere between relaxed/endurance and more aggressive/road.
I realise that only I can make the decision and that trying either bike out is not possible (unless Decathlon will get one in from another store for me - unlikely I'd have thought). Just wondering if anyone has any ideas about which is "better" (although that's a relative term).
I currently have a loaner Ribble CGR (old style) that I like but it's too big for me (Medium). I want a bike for a modest commute of 7 miles each way (although probably not in the worst of winter) and general fun/fitness rides on days off/weekends.
RC520 Pros: £100 cheaper, new 105 R7000 shifters and derailleurs (with different cassette & cranks) local enough to pick up and ride home.
Zenium VR Pros: full hydraulic brakes (although part of the older 105 5800 series groupset). Through axles (don't think the RC520 has these). Seems to get very good reviews (although I realise that the exclusive sellers are the "WigReaction" empire who put a lot of advertising cash the way of the review sites).
The RC520 seems to have it for sheer value but lacks the full hydraulic brakes. I realise Decathlon are not a LBS in terms of after-sales but they are local enough to ride to if there's a problem. Is there anything else I need to consider?
Sorry for the lengthy post. Hope it's ok here and not clouding the waters of an exclusive RC520 thread. I'll delete if it's innapropriate. Thanks.
The bikes are similarly size with identical seat tube and effective top tube length. The RC520 has a 5mm shorter head tube but is described as a having a relaxed geometry while the Zenium reviews say it's a slightly sportier geometry, somewhere between relaxed/endurance and more aggressive/road.
I realise that only I can make the decision and that trying either bike out is not possible (unless Decathlon will get one in from another store for me - unlikely I'd have thought). Just wondering if anyone has any ideas about which is "better" (although that's a relative term).
I currently have a loaner Ribble CGR (old style) that I like but it's too big for me (Medium). I want a bike for a modest commute of 7 miles each way (although probably not in the worst of winter) and general fun/fitness rides on days off/weekends.
RC520 Pros: £100 cheaper, new 105 R7000 shifters and derailleurs (with different cassette & cranks) local enough to pick up and ride home.
Zenium VR Pros: full hydraulic brakes (although part of the older 105 5800 series groupset). Through axles (don't think the RC520 has these). Seems to get very good reviews (although I realise that the exclusive sellers are the "WigReaction" empire who put a lot of advertising cash the way of the review sites).
The RC520 seems to have it for sheer value but lacks the full hydraulic brakes. I realise Decathlon are not a LBS in terms of after-sales but they are local enough to ride to if there's a problem. Is there anything else I need to consider?
Sorry for the lengthy post. Hope it's ok here and not clouding the waters of an exclusive RC520 thread. I'll delete if it's innapropriate. Thanks.
Hey MrPorridge; any discussion is good discussion - I'm in pretty much the same situation! I finally got to get a look at the triban today (unfortunately did not get the chance to ride yet) and it looks very nice. I'm looking to buy something as my only bike, and it will mostly be used for commuting (unlike previous bikes which were for fitness and pleasure rides) so wary about certain factors such as component wear etc. The lack of a full hydro system is why I haven't hit the button yet. That and the fact that the hy/rd's are post mounted which seems to make a later upgrade to full hydro a bit more difficult. Plus no through axles...
It's nice, but for me at the moment, I can only put money into one bike, and still on the fence on spending more for something like the CGR (though haven't got a chance to see, let alone sit on one yet).
Then there's the part of me that thinks that commuting in London, maybe something simpler would be better anyway!
It's nice, but for me at the moment, I can only put money into one bike, and still on the fence on spending more for something like the CGR (though haven't got a chance to see, let alone sit on one yet).
Then there's the part of me that thinks that commuting in London, maybe something simpler would be better anyway!
MrPorridge
Well-Known Member
- Location
- North West England
Me too with the "only bike" thing. The full hydro, coupled with through axles and flat mount disks is what makes the Vitus look so good for the money, albeit at a discounted price. If that one drops any more, I'm not sure I can resist.
The CGR I have now is actually my brother's bike (or one of them). It's a Medium size and I needed the Small. Unfortunately that size never came back into stock and the CGR was replaced by a the version. Actually, it's several new versions (alloy, steel, carbon, titanium) all of which seem to have their own distinct look and geometry. I'd go as far as to say that "CGR" is now a group of loosely related bikes (disc brake, multi-use) than any single bike. If money were no object I'd get the new CGR in 525 steel with the 105 R7000 hydro groupset but that's a £1400 bike (and unavailable until December).
The temptation would be to go for something like the Triban/Vitus, safe in the knowledge that in the event of theft/damage you could almost buy two of them for the price of the CGR.
plasticniki
Well-Known Member
That Vitus looks great.
However, can only fit up to 28mm tyres. May not be an issue for you. One of the reasons I went for the RC520 is cos it can take wider tyres (not that I've fit any yet, hah).
Did another 200km on the RC520 yesterday. Still good, so comfy
MrPorridge
Well-Known Member
- Location
- North West England
Yes, I have thought about that. The ability to put tyres >28mm is definitely another plus point for the RC520. I do however have a particular talent of extreme laziness combined with extreme mechanical incompetence so, although the big rubber appeals, I'm not sure that I'd ever manage to put it on!
That said, the CGR has 28mm tyres at the moment and I do find the ride very harsh compared to my clapped-out old Marin hybrid so maybe there's something to be said for trying wider tyres.
Did another 200km on the RC520 yesterday. Still good, so comfy
Bloody hell. I did about 25km today and ended up knackered (and cold). I'm going to order in a crate of Berliner Kindl, as that's obviously the secret to getting the miles in.
MrPorridge
Well-Known Member
- Location
- North West England
You are, of course, right.
The current plan is to buy something before I actually die of option anxiety and use whatever tyres it comes with while I get used to the bike. I'm then considering going tubeless as I'm terrified of punctures (reason = the incompetence described above), although I realise this may involve new wheels if the one's I end up with aren't tubeless-ready.
the stupid one
Über Member
- Location
- NWUK
Oh, this! Beautifully phrased, and perfectly true. Well played.
New user here. I thought I'd chip in, I picked up a RC 520 a couple of weeks ago.
I'm quite new to cycling, did a lot of running running and some MTB but developed hip problems so decided to try road biking. I borrowed a Cannondale CAAD8 105 from my very experienced dad-in-law (though it was XL, two sizes too big for me) to try it out and... I liked it.
I'm not interested in racing or ride road socialising, just the time on my own, the excercise and commuting. I have a 13 mile commute, 60% rural and 40% city/urban which is now taking me 45 minutes, straight through the centre of Oxford. Only 10 mins slower than taking my motorbike, so a pretty efficient use of time.
The CAAD8 served me well but it didn't fit that well. I also wanted to give my dad his winter bike back. Half of my commute is on very bad quality rural roads so I wanted to get something that can take big tyres, also so I can maybe fit something slightly offroad and use the bridleway network to vary my route. I also wanted disc brakes. Stopping quickly with so many moronic drivers around is important, especially in the wet; I'm not shy of bad weather. I found the rim brakes on the CAAD8 very poor compared to my MTB brakes, so there you go. I'm not bothered about brands but wanted quality componentry. I don't care about weight, a number that seems to be hugely over-rated by the cycling community and I wanted an aluminium frame. So the timing of the RC 520 release was perfect for me. I tried one out in-store and couldn't find anything that came close for a similar spec and price. My employer uses a CtW scheme but it's barely worth using so I scrapped that idea.
I've now done about five commutes (26 miles round trip) and two longer rides (30-40 hilly miles each). My very inexperienced review:
What I like:
- It's comfortable, no weird aches and pains so far.
- The shifting is excellent, a bit different to the older 105 I was used to.
- The brakes are excellent after bedding in, it took me two commutes.
- The gear ratios seem to suit my riding better than the CAAD8.
What I don't like as much:
- The bar tape is double wrapped and I can barely get my hands around it.
- Front deraillier setup slightly off but easily fixed.
- Very slight 'tinging' noise from the front disc when accelerating quickly. It's fine, probably fixable.
- I can't downshift on the rear when on the drops. Not sure why, I could just about stretch it on the CAAD8.
- It's just geometry, but I can just about catch my front wheel with the tip of my toe.
I'm really enjoying the bike and it fits my needs perfectly. Just a couple of very minor niggles I suppose. Overall I think it's incredible value for money. To top it off, I ride past a Decathlon on my way to/from work so any problems, I'm sure it'll be taken care of.
I'm quite new to cycling, did a lot of running running and some MTB but developed hip problems so decided to try road biking. I borrowed a Cannondale CAAD8 105 from my very experienced dad-in-law (though it was XL, two sizes too big for me) to try it out and... I liked it.
I'm not interested in racing or ride road socialising, just the time on my own, the excercise and commuting. I have a 13 mile commute, 60% rural and 40% city/urban which is now taking me 45 minutes, straight through the centre of Oxford. Only 10 mins slower than taking my motorbike, so a pretty efficient use of time.
The CAAD8 served me well but it didn't fit that well. I also wanted to give my dad his winter bike back. Half of my commute is on very bad quality rural roads so I wanted to get something that can take big tyres, also so I can maybe fit something slightly offroad and use the bridleway network to vary my route. I also wanted disc brakes. Stopping quickly with so many moronic drivers around is important, especially in the wet; I'm not shy of bad weather. I found the rim brakes on the CAAD8 very poor compared to my MTB brakes, so there you go. I'm not bothered about brands but wanted quality componentry. I don't care about weight, a number that seems to be hugely over-rated by the cycling community and I wanted an aluminium frame. So the timing of the RC 520 release was perfect for me. I tried one out in-store and couldn't find anything that came close for a similar spec and price. My employer uses a CtW scheme but it's barely worth using so I scrapped that idea.
I've now done about five commutes (26 miles round trip) and two longer rides (30-40 hilly miles each). My very inexperienced review:
What I like:
- It's comfortable, no weird aches and pains so far.
- The shifting is excellent, a bit different to the older 105 I was used to.
- The brakes are excellent after bedding in, it took me two commutes.
- The gear ratios seem to suit my riding better than the CAAD8.
What I don't like as much:
- The bar tape is double wrapped and I can barely get my hands around it.
- Front deraillier setup slightly off but easily fixed.
- Very slight 'tinging' noise from the front disc when accelerating quickly. It's fine, probably fixable.
- I can't downshift on the rear when on the drops. Not sure why, I could just about stretch it on the CAAD8.
- It's just geometry, but I can just about catch my front wheel with the tip of my toe.
I'm really enjoying the bike and it fits my needs perfectly. Just a couple of very minor niggles I suppose. Overall I think it's incredible value for money. To top it off, I ride past a Decathlon on my way to/from work so any problems, I'm sure it'll be taken care of.
