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Post by Deleted on Feb 19, 2014 20:48:18 GMT
I used a steel framed hybrid for commuting and it's starting to show its age (17 years old) and with an all up weight of nearly 19 kgs it's a tad on the heavy side. I don't fancy using my nice road bike for commuting (especially through the winter muck).
I've had my eye on (& off) the Triban 3. I spotted the other day that the Red version was down to £249, but as it seems to be an end-of-line price cut there's none in my size (57 cm I think) online or in my local Decathlon (Stockport). So my eye's naturally shifted to the Triban 3 White. As far as I can tell the main difference between the Red & White models is the loss of a Carbon fork and the switch from Shimano to Microshift shifters. Prior to seeing them on the Triban I've never heard of Microshift before. I had a look at a White model in store today and the STIs actually looked/felt better (i.e. 2 x levers instead of a button). Obviously I don't know what their shifting performance is like.
I'd be using this bike primarily as a Commuter/Ride around town bike (and maybe as a back-up bike for club runs & evening & weekend pottering about). So it'd be setup with full mudgaurds & rack.
So that brings me to my question - are there any reviews of the Triban 3 White available? Or does anyone on here have any experience of it?
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Post by Radchenister on Feb 19, 2014 21:13:37 GMT
Welcome, look around the forum as the bike is used by a fair few members.
In this house we have an upgraded original T3 in red (my bike) and a T3a in white (my young son's first road bike).
IMO, the T3a (in white) is robust, good VFM and fine for what it is - it's not the lightest or most refined bike out there but then again it's perfectly functional to do a job i.e. start out cycling or use as a workhorse / commuter etc.; some members use them on cycle club rides as their main bike, as they get more into cycling and others use them as winter trainers.
Some members have upgraded wheels, some haven't, someone has recently changed the forks to carbon ones and considers them a good improvement (if done cheaply this makes sense, in this instance it was done with a second hand donor set off an original T3 - buying £80+ forks makes less sense as other bikes in the range have carbon forks and better spec's).
I would also consider the T5a which has to be the best VFM bike with a reasonably well sorted Sora spec' at the mid £400 price mark, widely considered to perform like other bikes in the £600 - £800 price range ... or perhaps wait a while and look at the new 2014 - T500SE which is out in March.
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Post by Deleted on Feb 19, 2014 21:59:06 GMT
Thanks for the info.
The suggestion about the T5a (the black one?) is interesting. For £130 I could see myself using that bike as a Winter Trainer as well as a commuter bike! .... Decisions, Decisions, Decisions!
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Post by Deleted on Feb 19, 2014 22:00:21 GMT
And the SE does look like it might be worth waiting for (I'm in no rush)
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Post by Radchenister on Feb 19, 2014 22:12:38 GMT
IMO, in terms of bang for bucks, the Triban bikes are not going to fail anyone - yep there's more exotic and pretty / stylish branded bikes out there but in terms of VFM and functionality, the current and pending stable of offerings ask more questions of expensive rivals than the rivals do of them. Get into the £1000 ranges and it gets trickier but at the VFM end of the scale you're found a sound answer; IMO, despite owning one and loving what the original red T3 stands for, it wasn't quite there with a few details and has been surpassed by the T5a (at a price yes, but it's more sorted from the off). The T3 white is sound but may be pipped by the T500SE in that price mark ... we'll need to ponder that one a bit more when they arrive as I've not looked at them under the microscope yet.
If I was buying tomorrow - it would be a T5a and a bargain sale set of wheels from Planet X = sorted bike for £500ish, good for perhaps 4000 - 5000 miles.
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Post by Deleted on Feb 20, 2014 6:53:28 GMT
I had the same dilemma as yours last autumn, did lots of reading and ruminating before eventually deciding there was no earthly reason why the T5a didn't win every argument. I bought mine and have been very happy ever since
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Post by Deleted on Feb 20, 2014 7:39:42 GMT
Welcome, look around the forum as the bike is used by a fair few meif youbers. In this house we have an upgraded original T3 in red (my bike) and a T3a in white (my young son's first road bike). IMO, the T3a (in white) is robust, good VFM and fine for what it is - it's not the lightest or most refined bike out there but then again it's perfectly functional to do a job i.e. start out cycling or use as a workhorse / commuter etc.; some members use them on cycle club rides as their main bike, as they get more into cycling and others use them as winter trainers. Some members have upgraded wheels, some haven't, someone has recently changed the forks to carbon ones and considers them a good improvement (if done cheaply this makes sense, in this instance it was done with a second hand donor set off an original T3 - buying £80+ forks makes less sense as other bikes in the range have carbon forks and better spec's). I would also consider the T5a which has to be the best VFM bike with a reasonably well sorted Sora spec' at the mid £400 price mark, widely considered to perform like other bikes in the £600 - £800 price range ... or perhaps wait a while and look at the new 2014 - T500SE which is out in March. Hi mate they are selling off wite t5 with carbon fork and carbon seatstays with full sora for £399......grab one if you can, miles better than a t3 for only extra £150
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Post by Radchenister on Feb 20, 2014 8:26:21 GMT
Good deal but be aware you trade carbon seat stays for reduced front fork clearance, not a huge issue but effects clearance over front tyre and ability for mudguards / 25 tyres.
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Post by KiwiBeard on Feb 20, 2014 8:44:45 GMT
the white T5 isn't available in 57 either though.
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