Triban 300 I think... or 500SE... or something else? Help!
Oct 1, 2014 22:45:41 GMT
brianevesham likes this
Post by Deleted on Oct 1, 2014 22:45:41 GMT
Hi,
First time on the forum, and I'm hoping I can get some thoughts/advice - I'm planning to head over to Decathlon Lakeside tomorrow for a look but won't buy then. (Probably
If anyone's got the time to give me their views on my thoughts below I'd be really grateful.
Thanks - and sorry this is a bit long & rambling!
Background
I'm not really a cyclist, but occasionally go out on my MTB for exercise and enjoy it, but get frustrated that it is hard work not v. comfortable and I can't cover much ground (it's a cheap old MTB). I've been thinking about buying a road bike for a while, but on a modest budget (I don't have oodles of cash, plus don't know if cycling will be a flash in the pan).
I mentioned this to my brother-in-law who's a keen & knowledgeable cyclist and, long story short, he offered me his (old but mint) bike for £400 (plus I'd have to budget a bit extra to buy new tyres as he wants to keep new ones he'd put on it). Spec at bottom for interest.
Anyway I did some Googling and came across all the amazing reviews of the 500SE (got to say, the fact that there is a B'Twin owners club speaks volumes too), and was thinking "Hey I could get that, it's new, and I'm £70 in pocket"... but then I started thinking about the 300... or the 500... and my head started to ache. Anyway after a lot of thinking (and looking at previous posts on this site) I'm favouring the 300 but wanted to see if my thinking made sense, and some assumptions are correct.
My thoughts:
1) B-I-L's bike is better on paper, but I'm not an expert & unless I compare them side by side I probably won't be able to tell the difference - anything will feel better than my crappy MTB.
2) In any case, reviews suggest the Tribans feel like much higher-spec bikes anyway, so even side by side may feel as good or better.
3) If I buy new I'll get warranty etc, and unworn parts that should last longer, reducing the long-term cost.
4) The only difference between the 300 & the 500SE is the carbon forks vs steel forks (or are they Alu?) - same argument as at 1: I'm probably not good enough to tell the difference & either will feel a world better than my MTB.
5) If I get into it enough, the 300/500 frame is good enough I could up-spec some components anyway - potentially including carbon forks for not much more than the 300/500SE cost difference.
6) If I get the 300 at current cost (£280) it's cost me £150 less than B-I-L's bike would to get on the road in a credible and enjoyable 'proper' bike... what's not to like?
Like I say, I'd be interested to know if you think this makes sense, or if I'm missing something.
Cheers.
B-I-L's bike spec
Frame - cannondale caad5
Wheels - pro lite cosmo
Chainset - shimano 105
Brake levers / shifters - shimano ultegra
Brakes - shimano ultegra
Rear mech - shimano 105
Front mech - shimano tiagra
Seat post - ritchey wcs
9 speed drivetrain
Weight: 9.4kg
First time on the forum, and I'm hoping I can get some thoughts/advice - I'm planning to head over to Decathlon Lakeside tomorrow for a look but won't buy then. (Probably
If anyone's got the time to give me their views on my thoughts below I'd be really grateful.
Thanks - and sorry this is a bit long & rambling!
Background
I'm not really a cyclist, but occasionally go out on my MTB for exercise and enjoy it, but get frustrated that it is hard work not v. comfortable and I can't cover much ground (it's a cheap old MTB). I've been thinking about buying a road bike for a while, but on a modest budget (I don't have oodles of cash, plus don't know if cycling will be a flash in the pan).
I mentioned this to my brother-in-law who's a keen & knowledgeable cyclist and, long story short, he offered me his (old but mint) bike for £400 (plus I'd have to budget a bit extra to buy new tyres as he wants to keep new ones he'd put on it). Spec at bottom for interest.
Anyway I did some Googling and came across all the amazing reviews of the 500SE (got to say, the fact that there is a B'Twin owners club speaks volumes too), and was thinking "Hey I could get that, it's new, and I'm £70 in pocket"... but then I started thinking about the 300... or the 500... and my head started to ache. Anyway after a lot of thinking (and looking at previous posts on this site) I'm favouring the 300 but wanted to see if my thinking made sense, and some assumptions are correct.
My thoughts:
1) B-I-L's bike is better on paper, but I'm not an expert & unless I compare them side by side I probably won't be able to tell the difference - anything will feel better than my crappy MTB.
2) In any case, reviews suggest the Tribans feel like much higher-spec bikes anyway, so even side by side may feel as good or better.
3) If I buy new I'll get warranty etc, and unworn parts that should last longer, reducing the long-term cost.
4) The only difference between the 300 & the 500SE is the carbon forks vs steel forks (or are they Alu?) - same argument as at 1: I'm probably not good enough to tell the difference & either will feel a world better than my MTB.
5) If I get into it enough, the 300/500 frame is good enough I could up-spec some components anyway - potentially including carbon forks for not much more than the 300/500SE cost difference.
6) If I get the 300 at current cost (£280) it's cost me £150 less than B-I-L's bike would to get on the road in a credible and enjoyable 'proper' bike... what's not to like?
Like I say, I'd be interested to know if you think this makes sense, or if I'm missing something.
Cheers.
B-I-L's bike spec
Frame - cannondale caad5
Wheels - pro lite cosmo
Chainset - shimano 105
Brake levers / shifters - shimano ultegra
Brakes - shimano ultegra
Rear mech - shimano 105
Front mech - shimano tiagra
Seat post - ritchey wcs
9 speed drivetrain
Weight: 9.4kg