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Post by bradbristol on Aug 3, 2015 20:57:52 GMT
Plan was to upgrade red t3 with full 105 5800 but I could sell and buy new 540 for about the same overall costs. Anyone have experience with 540? Any advice much appreciated...
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Post by fatmanona5a on Aug 6, 2015 10:18:17 GMT
IMO, Given the choice of an upgraded red T3, or a 540 for similar cost. My "head" would choose 540, but my "heart" would be T3!!!!!!!!
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Post by mark072 on Aug 6, 2015 12:25:48 GMT
Have you already upgraded parts on the T3 like wheels etc, are the frame/forks still in nice condition? The 540 does come with nice Mavic's but if you have upgraded your wheels and other bits like saddle and pedals and got it to how you like it apart from the 105 upgrade I would keep it then you will have a bike more or less on par with the 540.
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Pete R
Peloton Rider
Posts: 55
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Post by Pete R on Aug 9, 2015 12:42:00 GMT
bradbristol,
The T3 is a classic, looks great, but I have never owned one. I have a T500, but have just purchased the T540 so can give you my observations, which I don't think all amount to confirmation bias, but you never know. The comments below are only initial, following a day in the saddle yesterday.
T540, for me a more comfortable bike specifically bought by me and intended chiefly for longer rides, it has a more upright riding position than my T500. It's more compact, very nice handlebar shape whether upright or on the drops. Very well set up and no adjustments were needed to either derailleur, but it's a bit pot luck with set-up, unless quality control has finally grappled with customer feedback on this issue, which it may have done.
I did a lot of fiddling about with my Alur 105 set up, which was never right, particularly when trying to get back on the bi front chain ring. In the end I changed the angle and height slightly for better shifting.
It has the facility to fit paniers front and rear as you probably know, with full mudguards and tyres up to 28mm with, 32mm without.
I've fitted SPD pedals on this machine. Others with T3 knowledge and experience will give you the benefits of their opinions.
For me, with paniers full yesterday, I was fine getting up a few 20% sections, and my less experienced son, was glad of his triple, which couldalso be beneficial if intending to stick a front rack and panier on too, for touring duties.
If there's any way you can keep your T3 as it is and go for a 540 too, you could have the best of both worlds and let each machine serve it's own purpose. That's my way of thinking though.
If you don't think you need the rack and mudguard/tyre width options, different riding position etc, that may tell you something.
Good luck with whatever you decide.
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