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Post by Deleted on Jun 23, 2014 12:12:45 GMT
Hi all, 46 year old 183cm tall 94KG male here. For the last 6-7 years I've been keeping fit(ish) by doing 5k and 10k fun run type events throughout the year but I injured my knee recently and my Doctor has advised that I quit running and take up cycling so I'm in the market for a decent road bike and kit which will enable me to do some long (for me) 2-3 hour weekend spins and a couple of early morning 60-90 minute spins each week from April through to Sept. I've been doing the usual research online and in my local bike shop and having always bought sports kit in Decatalon whilst on our annual family holiday I've come to the conclusion that the best bike for my needs is either the T3 www.decathlon.co.uk/triban-3-road-bike-white-id_8239800.html or possibly the T5 www.decathlon.co.uk/triban-5-road-bike-black-id_8239801.html. My French is terrible I'm ashamed to say so my main concern is that when I go to buy the bike in a few weeks time I'll make a mess of explaining what I want and end up with the wrong frame size and/or wrong bike!!! I'm really looking for two type of help:- 1. Which bike should I go for given my age/size and planned use? 2. What's the best way to purchase it? Should I just go to the store local to where we stay which is located at 90 Boulevard Jean XXIII , 85300 Challans , France or can I order exactly what I want online and have it ready to be picked up in the Challans store when I arrive for my holiday? What other equipment (shorts, helmet, shoes etc) do people recommend I get whilst I have access to Decathalon? Lastly, we do a good bit of family cycling during our holiday to and from beaches and through forest trails etc. Can the T3 or T5 be used on unpaved roads and forest trails or are they strictly road bikes? BTW, there aren't any Decathlon shops within 250km of where I live in Ireland hence the reason for planning a purchase in France. Thanks in advance and apologies if these are silly questions! Ben
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Post by Paulinblack on Jun 24, 2014 8:58:10 GMT
T3 or T5: I have a T5. It was within my price range. People on here have both and love them. I do similar mileage to you. Size: I'm a couple of cm taller than you and have a 60. Some others same size have 57. Depends upon your ape index (length of body, legs etc) Check other threads as this has been discussed lots. Where to buy?: Personally, I'd research on the English Decca website and make my decision. If I wanted to try first, I would contact Decca and ask if they could put one of each by for me. If I knew what I wanted I'd probably 'click & collect'. Shorts: Aero 900 blu/blk to match the T5 Other clothes: Relatively cheap but on the small side. Helmet: Lidl special for me Shoes: Depends whether you want to clip or not? I use SPDs because thats what I have on my MTB too. Most serious cyclists have SPD-SL (The pedals that come with the bike need to be changed if you want to clip) Where to stay near Challans: Camp sites around La Tranche Sur Mer & St Jean De Monts are nice - Not all pools are heated though!
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Post by Deleted on Jun 24, 2014 16:35:04 GMT
Thanks Nomoreheros, appreciate the advice. I'll look up the fitting guides and "ape index" discussion. We're staying at Le Bois Masson which is a Siblu campsite. We started staying with Siblu 3 years ago in La Palmyre and find their sites are generally very well run and looked after. they charge a bit of a premium but I'd rather have a good quality holiday than save a few Euro and end up with something I regret. See www.siblu.fr/camping/vendee/le_bois_masson.php One indoor and one outdoor pool both heated or at least the indoor one is, I can't recall if the outdoor one is heated but I also don't recall it being freezing when I jumped in so it can't be too cold! There is a nice restaurant and a good bar. The entertainment is a bit "Butlins in France" i.e. pantomime type stage shows and audience participation which isn't my cup of tea but the kids love it. More importantly there's lot's of cycle paths and forest trails so a new bike and three weeks to explore whilst the kids are in their morning fun camps sounds like bliss. Big question: Can the T5 be used on unpaved cycle paths through forests etc? Nothing which requires a MTB but not smooth roads either. Ben
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Post by Deleted on Jun 24, 2014 16:45:29 GMT
BTW, whats the difference between the Triban 5 and the Triban 500?
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Post by Paulinblack on Jun 24, 2014 18:36:19 GMT
The T500 is the 2014 version of the T5. Only difference being Sora brakes. Everything else exactly the same other than an extra '00' on the livery.
It has 23mm slick tyres. I personally don't like riding mine off road. From what I remember of the cycle tracks around La Vendee, they are OK. But I have only ever ridden a MTB on them (a long time ago).
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Post by ChrisD on Jun 24, 2014 20:28:41 GMT
If ever my T3 with 23 tyres goes onto loose stuff I get the jitters. Not sure what the clearance is like on the T5/00 but I doubt there's room for anything wider than 25. The Cyclo-X is what I take if I plan on routes with off road / gravel tracks. You then have the advantage of being able to put slicker/narrow tyres on if you want to for stuff on the road.
You can't get the Cyclo-X in the UK anymore but don't know about France. It is more expensive as it comes with Shimano 105 drive train and good quality Mavic Aksium wheels.
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Post by Deleted on Jun 25, 2014 12:41:46 GMT
Thanks Chris, I only do a bit of forest trail stuff once a year when I am on holiday with the family and even then it's at a pretty leisurely speed as the 9 year old sets the pace!! My interest in understanding whether a T5 could be used on these type of paths is really related to whether or not riding the T5 on such a surface would damage the T5.
Ben
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Post by Paulinblack on Jun 25, 2014 13:02:14 GMT
It won't break it, but it won't do it any good. It is a road bike rather than a cyclo-cross or mountain bike.
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Post by fatmanona5a on Jun 25, 2014 17:16:55 GMT
It won't break it, but it won't do it any good. It is a road bike rather than a cyclo-cross or mountain bike. It's not Road Bike Party 2 (check youtube), but my 5A with Scwalbe Marathon Plus tyres will go down slightly bumpy canal towpaths. Go gently, walk if necessary, possibly upgrade the tyres and your road bike might just surprise you!
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Post by ChrisD on Jun 25, 2014 17:54:05 GMT
It's not Road Bike Party 2 (check youtube), but my 5A with Scwalbe Marathon Plus tyres will go down slightly bumpy canal towpaths. Go gently, walk if necessary, possibly upgrade the tyres and your road bike might just surprise you! Have to agree on those Schwalbe Marathons. When I got back into cycling on my old Dawes tourer in an effort to lose some pounds I nearly gave up due to the number of flats I was getting whenever I went on anything other than smooth Tarmac. Invested in some Marathons and had hardly any more problems despite riding over some really rough stuff. Might stick them on the cross bike for commuting as they are slicker than the stock tyres it came with.
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Post by ukdaws on Jul 20, 2014 8:52:35 GMT
@beneadir Sorry only just noticed the thread. Firstly I am 183cm and 92kg and a 57cm T5a fits great. Buying the bike in France will give you the euro sided brakes(Front on the left hand and back on the right)not uk sided as in Front on the right.Not difficult to change over if required (I swapped mine over after 6 months as never felt comfy in emergencys) I bought my T5a online with Decathlon France as there wasnt any stock at my local Decathlon (Limoges) You will find the bikes slightly more expensive than the UK. But with a basic level of French and a phrase book you will be fine.They have always been very helpfull in my local store. If i remember correctly you can order online (French site!) and get it deliverd to the local store. Hope this Helps. My tip would be when you get the bike get out of the siblu park and ride the French roads as the are brilliant (very little traffic)
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Post by mattl22 on Jul 26, 2014 14:42:44 GMT
Won't it be left hand drive?? Cost a bomb to get everything swapped over...
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