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Post by Deleted on Jun 30, 2013 11:35:18 GMT
Hey all, owned my Triban for a few months now and it's really given me the bug for road biking. I do however still hanker after some off road action and the roads and cycle paths round my way are in a dire state which has led me to looking at Cross bikes.
I'm not really in a position to fork out for a new bike and I really like my Triban and wonder if anyone is using one for cyclocross. There seems to be quite a good midlands league and the new season starts in 12 weeks and I'd love to give it a go.
What mods, especially wheels and tires would people recommend? Or is the triban just a non starter?
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Post by chas on Jun 30, 2013 12:23:02 GMT
It's a non starter really I'm afraid. The problem is the caliper brakes don't leave enough clearance for knobbly tyres and mud. It's a real shame decathlon don't make an equivalent bike with cantilevers and more clearance as it would make a far more versatile bike. I've suggested to some people they MIGHT be able to fit some Schwalbe CXcomp 700x30 tyres as they're a bit smaller than the stated size, and I've seen a review on amazon of someone fitting them to a Dawes 300 which should have similar clearance. IF these fit you'd be able to do more off road in the dry, but wouldn't have any mud clearance once it got sticky. If anyone has fitted these to a T3 I'd like to know so I can pass it on. I'd really rcommend cyclocross if anyones thinking about it, very beginner friendly with a wide range of abilities and ages taking part (not on a Triban though )
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Post by chas on Jun 30, 2013 12:25:51 GMT
Cheapest option would be 2nd hand frameset and swap everything over
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Post by Deleted on Jul 1, 2013 7:59:59 GMT
Thanks for the reply chas. you've pretty much confirmed my fears. I'm really keen on trying cyclocross, it looks right up my street. Guess I'll have to get saving and find another bike. I'm assuming you do cyclocross, what do you ride and do you have any recommendations for a good beginner set up? I've been lusting after a Genesis Croix de Fer but they're a bit beyond my budget.
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Post by chas on Jul 1, 2013 9:59:48 GMT
Yes, I race in the Notts & Derby league, I only got started as I was taking my kids but wish I'd done it when I was younger. I'm never near the front , but can still enjoy racing other dads (and grandads!) as we all set off together. The kids all have better bikes than me - not much money left for mine! I bought an old frame (Bourghini) off ebay someone had used as a winter bike, got it powder coated and built it up with sale bargains and second hand bits. You've got to be careful though, I already had a lot of bits in the shed, the cost can add up really quickly. You can get a new frameset from about Β£200 and use most of your Triban 3, brakes and seatpost excepted. If you buy a 2nd hand frame, watch out for 1" headsets, the forks are rare now (I made that mistake). These tyres are popular for mud and a bargain price here www.planet-x-bikes.co.uk/i/q/TYSCCXPP/schwalbe_cx_pro_performance_folding_tyreMichelin mud 2s are a popular all round tyre but more expensive. Good tyres make a big difference, both in weight, and because you run them soft, rolling resistance. Top riders use Tubs but they're much more expensive. You may consider a slightly smaller size/ shorter top tube than your road bike, you want to be a bit more upright. Your local league probably has a forum, worth looking for advice and maybe even a 2nd hand bike. ENJOY
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Post by Deleted on Jul 3, 2013 8:22:31 GMT
Thanks Chas, I'd be looking at the Notts and Derby league so I may well have to pop to a meet. I'm still torn, I havnt the space for two bikes unfortunately so I need a real good all rounder, I commute 15 miles a day and usually try to do at least 100 miles a week, not a great deal I know but the Triban does it with ease. Scared of getting rid for a bike that might do the off road stuff a little better but suffer on the road and on the commute. Thanks again.
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Post by chas on Jul 3, 2013 10:36:55 GMT
It's only really the tyres that would hold you up on the road, your position on a 'cross bike would be fine for commuting and you wouldn't have much of a weight penalty, I'd suggest a spare pair of wheels with road tyres. Whether you sell your T3 or use it as a donor depends on your budget and how much work you want to do, keep looking out and see what turns up 2nd hand. Check the NDCXL forum there'll probably be more for sale on there nearer the start of the season.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 3, 2013 11:43:03 GMT
What about doing a disk retrofit on the back, and a set of cheep alu disk forks
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Post by chas on Jul 3, 2013 11:51:30 GMT
You'd still have clearance issues with the seat tube, brake bridge and chainstays
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Post by chas on Jul 3, 2013 11:53:11 GMT
And forks with more clearance would be longer and upset the geometry
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