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Post by Whitestar1 on Aug 16, 2013 7:30:50 GMT
Did one of the mags do a head to head with the T7? It be great if someone had a link or scan of it? Is this it? Cycling ActiveI think if they did a test of the FC3 it would rubbish alot of bikes. I think at the £1000 mark you have to stop and really scan the whole market as that Planet X Carbon Ultegra is still on my mind lol I would love to see such a faceoff I have a crush on the FC3 if only it came in red.
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Post by Whitestar1 on Aug 16, 2013 7:39:32 GMT
Can't believe they are comparing Tourney groupset bike with the T5 really! and at similar money. Well deserved five stars noted. That's great for all you T5 owners! Triban Strikes Again!!!!
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Post by stevo on Aug 16, 2013 8:10:23 GMT
The T5a pretty much trounces the other two. Having said that, the T3 red out-specs the Scott and Revolution in many departments too. They're both heavier than the T3 and no carbon fork. also have a lesser groupset - Tourney!!
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Post by Deleted on Aug 16, 2013 8:47:34 GMT
The T5a pretty much trounces the other two. Having said that, the T3 red out-specs the Scott and Revolution in many departments too. They're both heavier than the T3 and no carbon fork. also have a lesser groupset - Tourney!! Yes. The T3 red would have comfortably won this group test in place of the 5a. Of course the T3 has already done something similar in that memorable Cycling Active group test against much more expensive bikes - I'm sure everyone's seen it but I'll link it anyway: www.cyclingweekly.co.uk/tech/bikes/129441/6/bike-test-do-you-get-what-you-pay-for.htmlThe T5a is clearly an outstanding bike too, and in my view a worthy successor to btwin's superstar T3 red. The king is almost dead - long live the king!
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Post by Radchenister on Aug 16, 2013 8:58:00 GMT
@fredscuttle, I did try to tell you more than once!
The challenge is how to beat the T3 upgraded with canny deals (take mine) - 190g Art Selle race saddle (rare find bargain), SRAM cassette (ebay bargain) and half price sale chain, Exustar pedals, Sora chainset from Merlin (offer ended), Fizik tape, Conti tyres, Aksiums (bargain unused elite bike racer's cast offs), cages - all for £570 . Might take some time to match that with a T3, if you can.
So, take the 5a, add Decathlon Aksiums and Exustars (freely available) from day 1 and you're thereabouts on the same spend.
You will have to source your cages as a pressy and wear out the tyres and tape to justify changing them but that's about equal. No upgraded chain or cassette but they're consumables.
You won't get the Aksiums or Sora at the low price I did ... so can't really achieve the same price on a T3 any more anyway, the whole drivetrain is already at upgrade level on the 5a from the T3 and while the levers are personal preference, I would now choose the 5a type.
Conclusion, if starting out now I would buy the 5a, it's more sorted at the outset (assuming the new saddle type suits you, which I believe it would for me but you'll never really know until over 30 miles out anyway). Must buy yourself a couple of Gatorade packs to get the SKY bottles though!
However, don't regret getting the T3 when I did one bit, 9 months of riding and over 3 stone gone - new pals, new lifestyle, good fun all round and quality of life improved no end; what are they going to do to move things on next year?
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Post by Deleted on Aug 16, 2013 9:28:18 GMT
@fredscuttle, I did try to tell you more than once! I'd still go for the T3. Something else I noticed is the 5a only goes up to a 61 frame so probably too small for me. The 63 red with a 110mm flipped stem fits me like a glove and I can't believe how comfortable the ride is with 23mm tyres, I'm guessing the carbon fork has a fair bit to do with that, and it is K-E-R-W-I-C-K! Unlike my hybrid which protested against the slightest effort, the T3 red rewards any effort as if it's asking to be ridden faster. Regarding the saddle, I did my first 50+ miler the other day and it was fine, no discomfort at all. I don't plan on changing anything soon but when I do it will just be to Shimano r501s, SRAM cassette and chain, and if Merlin ever come close to doing that Sora chainset offer again maybe that aswell. I was influenced by the red's cult status too. I also like the idea of matching or even beating the lycra poseurs on their £2000+ bikes in my new club on a £300 bike - I'm some way off though but improving all the time. If the extra 130 squid is no problem and you can get your size, the 5a is possibly the more rational choice though.
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Post by Radchenister on Aug 16, 2013 9:48:19 GMT
I made a miscalc above, thought the 5a was £400, think it was for a very short while if I recall correctly.
Nothing wrong with the Red T3 either of course, groupset quirky but a smart buy at £300 whatever way you look at it, it's fine to get going and canny upgrades keep it ticking along nicely for a long time after.
It is iconic in its chic cheapness, efficiency of pence per mile will remain unbeaten for years I would predict.
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Post by DelB on Aug 16, 2013 10:34:04 GMT
So, take the 5a, add Decathlon Aksiums and Exustars (freely available) from day 1 and you're thereabouts on the same spend. Exactly what I did. When you think that the base models from the bigger manufacturers typically start at circa £600 and come with a 2300 groupset and 'ordinary' wheels, it just shows what tremendous value the Tribans are.
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Post by Radchenister on Aug 16, 2013 11:56:56 GMT
Actually, you're a bit over by about £30 but you're near enough.
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Post by stevo on Aug 16, 2013 12:02:23 GMT
Only the 5 was available when I got my 3. No such thing as a 5a then, nor a 7. Even so, would not consider the 5a different enough spec to upgrade. May have been a different story with the 7 though? That said, no intentions of replacing the 3 any time soon.
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Post by DelB on Aug 16, 2013 12:10:45 GMT
Actually, you're a bit over by about £30 but you're near enough. Assuming this post was for me, actually, no - I'm not.
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Post by Radchenister on Aug 16, 2013 12:34:25 GMT
So your T5a, Exustars and Mavics + Cages are all together OTR for £570 i.e. wheels, pedals and cages for £140?
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Post by DelB on Aug 16, 2013 12:40:38 GMT
So your T5a, Exustars and Mavics + Cages are all together OTR for £570 i.e. wheels, pedals and cages for £140? Your original 'quote' was as per my previous post - no mention of cages, saddle or any other 'extras'. T5a - £399.00 (pre price-rise purchase) Brand new Aksiums with tyres and tubes - £142.00 (Ebay Bargain) Pedals - £19.99 (Rutland Cycling) Total - £561.00 Why the need to piss on my chips???
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Post by Radchenister on Aug 16, 2013 14:59:21 GMT
Great, can't do better than that, it was spot on at £400 but not so sweet adding £30 - just askin', why so easily offended? ! PS - couldn't recall if I dreamt it was £400 at one point or not.
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Post by DelB on Aug 16, 2013 15:03:47 GMT
Just didn't see the point in your 'Actually, you're a bit over by about £30 but you're near enough' comment, when you'd previously also used the expression 'thereabouts'. Is £30 outwith 'thereabouts'? I'm really not at all confrontational by the way - too long in the tooth for that.
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