OP
OP
Welsh wheels
Lycra king
- Location
- South Wales
Thanks, that looks like a good option.
Recommendations for a road bike
- Thread starter Welsh wheels
- Start date
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OP
OP
Welsh wheels
Lycra king
- Location
- South Wales
I think if I go for a higher end Dawes, I'll have to factor in buying flat or clipless pedals. Personally, I think cage pedals are a bit of an abomination.
vickster
Legendary Member
Under £20 for Shimano M520 SPDs (+ shoes). Or can get decent flat pedals for less
Last thing to worry about
Saluki
World class procrastinator
- Location
- ...Norwich over the water.
Definitely more comfy, I have found. When I changed tyres I put 25mm gatorskins on rather than the 23mm Conties that were on and I noticed a difference in comfort. I don't whizz about fast enough to worry about any difference in speed.
clippetydoodah
Active Member
I have a B'Twin Triban 3 it's a good bike for the money. I have made
a few upgrades. I actually got the frame and forks off ebay for £40,
and built it up with a mix of old parts and new.
In Cycling Plus this month they did a test and the B'Twin (can't remember
which one) came out very well. Available at £350 apparently.
a few upgrades. I actually got the frame and forks off ebay for £40,
and built it up with a mix of old parts and new.
In Cycling Plus this month they did a test and the B'Twin (can't remember
which one) came out very well. Available at £350 apparently.
colourspinner
Regular
- Location
- The Big Smoke
They tested the Triban 520 with drop bars, currently available for £399. Decathlon's website also shows a Triban 520 for £479, which I assume is the 2017 model.
OP
OP
Welsh wheels
Lycra king
- Location
- South Wales
Thanks everyone!
OP
OP
Welsh wheels
Lycra king
- Location
- South Wales
I am still probably going to buy new, but currently considering whether an Orbea Larrau is worth it as a stopgap for a while for £125. Can't find much about that model online, but it seems like it could be 15 or so years old but it does look in good nick. Going to view it later as it's only round the corner from me, but I am leaning towards no at the moment due to its age and the fact that it was a low end bike at the time. Is it a BSO or is it worth considering?
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jay clock
Massive member
- Location
- Hampshire UK
That Orbea has huge front rings. 53-39 at a guess or possibly 42 inner. In my view as a newbie to all this (or even experienced like me) I would go for compact 50-34 as essential
jay clock
Massive member
- Location
- Hampshire UK
also possibly steel or alloy front fork?
vickster
Legendary Member
Just get a Triban from Decathlon
https://www.decathlon.co.uk/triban-500-se-road-bike-id_8306187.html
https://www.decathlon.co.uk/triban-500-se-road-bike-id_8306187.html
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OP
OP
Welsh wheels
Lycra king
- Location
- South Wales
Thanks for the reply. Why would you say a 50-34 was essential? Would it be impossible to get up hills on that Orbea with that gearing?
jay clock
Massive member
- Location
- Hampshire UK
personally I would get up but it would knacker me. Imagine lifting a 1kg bag of sugar 100 times. Or a 10kg bag 10 times. You could do the latter but not all day. 90% of new roads bikes are 50-34, or sometimes now 52-36. For a reason.
I bought a 53-39 in your situation about 10 years back. And changed it in weeks. And changing is pricier than just getting the right one first time
All my opinions and others may disagree! But i suspect most will agree
Lozz360
Veteran
- Location
- Oxfordshire
I swapped the stock Hutchinson 23mm tyres on my Triban for 25mm Specialized Armodillos and the difference is enormous. The 25mm is much more comfortable. I always thought that the increase in comfort was purely due to the larger size only. I could be wrong and it is a result of the change in tyre manufacture.
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