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Post by Deleted on Aug 1, 2013 23:03:39 GMT
Is it possible to import a bike for example, say the Belfast Decathlon and how would I go about doing this?
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panda
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Post by panda on Aug 2, 2013 10:31:39 GMT
We have both the T3A and T3 in our family and I have mentioned a few times that particularly for younger riders, the T3A shifters are much easier to use and very reliable. Personally, I would prefer them on my T3, but this is an expensive upgrade. Note that Shimano have virtually discontinued the T3A type of thumb shifter, with improvements on the Sora shifters, so they must be very aware that they are not universally liked and the competition from MicroShift is likely to be a factor (a good thing as well - more competition, better products).
I would add these two points from my experience:
T3 - Changing in the drops - Yes this can be done. It is the thumb shifters that are difficult to reach, but not impossible. You just have to swivel you hand inwards slightly (imagine that your hand in on a jam jar lid and you are closing it, this is the same motion).
T3A - Plastic shifters. The comparison is not strictly true as both T3 & T3A have metal brake levers. The two gear levers on the T3A are plastic, but the T3 thumb shifters are plastic as well.
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Post by stevo on Aug 2, 2013 11:45:34 GMT
But from a purely aesthetic point of view (imo) the forks on the T3a look woefully puny, even compared to the offerings from budget bike etc. Otherwise it's a superb bike for the money.
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panda
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Post by panda on Aug 2, 2013 12:19:18 GMT
But from a purely aesthetic point of view (imo) the forks on the T3a look woefully puny, even compared to the offerings from budget bike etc. Otherwise it's a superb bike for the money. I know what you mean, my daughter has the T3A 45cm and the forks looks absolutely fine on this as it is such a small frame. Also, I think that it is partly because they are black which makes them look thinner compared to the rest of the bike which has oversized tubes. Still a better bike than budget bike etc and for a youth road bike, a good Β£200 cheaper than anything equivalent and it is a 'proper adults bike'. You can see I am a big fan of the T3A small frames for youths, handlebars and cranks are appropriately sized and the shifters are easy to reach and use for small hands. I was looking at one of these which is the closest comparison: www.winstanleysbikes.co.uk/product/51948/Moda_Major_Jnr_650c_Road_2013_Bike?gclid=CJTE3u7d3rgCFSGWtAodiT0AGwEven secondhand on ebay, these go for considerably more than the T3A. I even think that this is better than the Isla Luath 700, which is Β£500, similar shaped forks, a double crank and those thumb shifters that juniors will find difficult. www.islabikes.co.uk/bike_pages/luath700.htmlI know it has been said, but the one thing that you don't get with any other bikes it the T3 Owners Club. Everyone is incredibly helpful, I have not seen any rude comments about silly questions (I should know as I have asked a few). If you look at other forums, some of the responses are pretty bad. Sales pitch over....
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Post by Deleted on Aug 2, 2013 14:49:46 GMT
We have both the T3A and T3 in our family and I have mentioned a few times that particularly for younger riders, the T3A shifters are much easier to use and very reliable. Personally, I would prefer them on my T3, but this is an expensive upgrade. Note that Shimano have virtually discontinued the T3A type of thumb shifter, with improvements on the Sora shifters, so they must be very aware that they are not universally liked and the competition from MicroShift is likely to be a factor (a good thing as well - more competition, better products). I would add these two points from my experience: T3 - Changing in the drops - Yes this can be done. It is the thumb shifters that are difficult to reach, but not impossible. You just have to swivel you hand inwards slightly (imagine that your hand in on a jam jar lid and you are closing it, this is the same motion). T3A - Plastic shifters. The comparison is not strictly true as both T3 & T3A have metal brake levers. The two gear levers on the T3A are plastic, but the T3 thumb shifters are plastic as well. Your post has given me a lot greater confidence as the red Triban, is never in stock, so I'm probably going to get the white one, also quite a few people who don't even own the white Triban have discredited it. And on a side note knowing that the leaver is metal is also a reassurance which has led me to doubt what a few other people have said about them being plastic. Also why has Shimano discontinued this style of shifting? I thought that the black curved steel forks looked sleek and sexy
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panda
Domestique
Posts: 395
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Post by panda on Aug 2, 2013 15:50:56 GMT
We have both the T3A and T3 in our family and I have mentioned a few times that particularly for younger riders, the T3A shifters are much easier to use and very reliable. Personally, I would prefer them on my T3, but this is an expensive upgrade. Note that Shimano have virtually discontinued the T3A type of thumb shifter, with improvements on the Sora shifters, so they must be very aware that they are not universally liked and the competition from MicroShift is likely to be a factor (a good thing as well - more competition, better products). I would add these two points from my experience: T3 - Changing in the drops - Yes this can be done. It is the thumb shifters that are difficult to reach, but not impossible. You just have to swivel you hand inwards slightly (imagine that your hand in on a jam jar lid and you are closing it, this is the same motion). T3A - Plastic shifters. The comparison is not strictly true as both T3 & T3A have metal brake levers. The two gear levers on the T3A are plastic, but the T3 thumb shifters are plastic as well. Your post has given me a lot greater confidence as the red Triban, is never in stock, so I'm probably going to get the white one, also quite a few people who don't even own the white Triban have discredited it. And on a side note knowing that the leaver is metal is also a reassurance which has led me to doubt what a few other people have said about them being plastic. Also why has Shimano discontinued this style of shifting? I thought that the black curved steel forks looked sleek and sexy Just to confirm that the brakes are metal, but the gear shifters are plastic. This is fine as you will put a lot of pressure on the metal, but not the plastic. Another thing, the Decathlon specialist on this site pointed out that the Microshifters are easy to fix and replace parts, but the Shimano are not (he probably made this point as I was buying it for a youth). Shimano still make the shifters on the T3 red, but they have replaced the thumb shifters on their Sora range which used to have them. I think that it is partly because not many people like them (hard to reach in the drops), they need differentiation in their range and also competition. It would be interesting to find out why Decathlon changed supplier, but it is noticeable that none of the new range of bikes have thumb shifters any more.
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Post by stevo on Aug 2, 2013 16:00:41 GMT
Still prefer the thumb shifters to my mates Tiagra ones.
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Post by martin122 on Aug 2, 2013 16:09:44 GMT
im in need of a winter/ leisure bike and have looked at the T3a and the fit5 but not keen on the plastic shifters and really don't know what to get?
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panda
Domestique
Posts: 395
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Post by panda on Aug 4, 2013 20:42:25 GMT
im in need of a winter/ leisure bike and have looked at the T3a and the fit5 but not keen on the plastic shifters and really don't know what to get? Apart from the brake lever, the gear shifters on the new Sora and Tiagra are plastic and the thumb shifters on the T3 red are plastic, so unless you go for something really expensive, there is little difference really.
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