lee
Peloton Rider
Posts: 4
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Post by lee on Mar 26, 2017 13:25:40 GMT
I have a white Triban 3 which i bought for £150 a year ago.
My first adult road bike.
My first ride on it was very fast, 15 minutes long, but my balls couldn't take anymore pain!
I wanted the speed... But not the pain. So things had to change. Firstly a new saddle, a very comfy gel and spring combo (yes spring). That set me back £26, I also bought proper cycling shorts. I looked everywhere for a spring-loaded seat post that would fit but no luck.
So now my undercarriage had some suspension.
Bought a yoga foam mat for £2.99 from Decathlon. Took off bar tape, cut and wrapped foam around my handle bars, replacing bar tape.
So now vibrations are reduced by 50%
NOW ITS USABLE ON REAL ROADS.
Do I really need that gorgeous Trek road bike (Black&Gold) in the window of The Bike House here in Bangor Northern Ireland?
Want, yes........... Need............ No.
So could a £300 well made bike really be all you need?
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Post by phred1812 on Mar 27, 2017 9:56:15 GMT
I think that many of us on this forum have faced this question.
I too bought a T3 (red) around 4 years ago as my first road bike. It was about this time too that the forum came into being. The Triban was a revelation compared to hybrids and old mtbs that I had previously ridden. Like you I quickly realised that the bike could be improved with upgrades and it became a bit of an arms race. I have probably spent close on a four figure sum on the bike. I still love the bike and have ridden it all through the winter.
However two years ago I bought a Cinelli Saetta carbon bike. In its current state it's over 2 kilos lighter than the B'Twin. I rode it yesterday for the first time since last September. I had almost forgotten how good it is. I was romping over hills that used to be a struggle and distancing people who used to leave me gasping in their wake.
I think that the answer to your question is probably no but it depends on how far you want to take your cycling.
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Post by Paulinblack on Mar 27, 2017 10:39:07 GMT
I think that phred1812 has hit the nail on the head. It depends upon how much you enjoy cycling and how much time you want to put into this hobby. After that, it comes down to whether you want to upgrade, how much you want to spend and whether you like doing stuff yourself or you want something to be already done for you. I bought a T5 3 years ago and enjoyed it more than I thought I would. I bought new wheels, which was a revelation. But I haven't done much more. Eighteen months or so later I bought a Mach as I wanted to see what a carbon bike was like. I still commute on the T5 and use it during winter, but went out on the Mach for the first time this year at the weekend and loved it again! I've toyed with upgrading to 105 on the T5, but don't see the point when I could buy one of the new Tribans for not much more than the upgrade price. So, each to his own. The thing that I'm doing now though is typing when I should be riding!!! Adios!!
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Post by r0b1et on Mar 27, 2017 15:57:25 GMT
I think with the newer Triban frames with the clearance, they are closer.
But agree with the others. Plus I reckon I'm >2 minutes faster on a 10 mile TT on the TT bike than on the T3 with clip ons (it's about 1kg lighter, noticibly stiffer [and harsher] and significantly more aero).
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tom9
Peloton Rider
Posts: 135
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Post by tom9 on Mar 27, 2017 16:15:41 GMT
I've got the red T3 and love it, I'm sure there are lots of better and lighter bikes out there and also I've nothing to compare it to, but it has given me a new lease of life, i just ride purely for leisure and enjoyment. I've upgraded the saddle, wheels, gears to 11-32 to help with hills and have it unusually set up for relaxed position, but there is something about this bike that I really like and it seems so well balanced, so it's certainly enough bike for me😊
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Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
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Post by Deleted on Mar 27, 2017 18:16:42 GMT
Was fortunate enough to get one of the last T3 Red and though there have been many bits renewed, replaced, upgraded the heart of the bike remains the same and it's a good strong one! I'll go along with r0blet on the mudguard clearance being my only slight grievance. Gave mine a real good clean and polish yesterday, it still looks fab! We are all cyclist, whither we commute, tour, race, go out often, at weekends or once in a blue moon. Whither we change our bike(s) regularly, or simply replace bits and bobs, it's all down to individual choice or circumstance.
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lee
Peloton Rider
Posts: 4
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Post by lee on Mar 27, 2017 23:16:18 GMT
The weakest part on my bike is the engine. I run out of talent before my bike does.
I have the Elite volare indoor trainer.
Came off my bike at the end of September, broken shoulder (ball joint) and broken thumb which was operated on eventually in January. Now complete with 2 screws.
Over a hundred thousand miles on motor bikes a bit of road rash and a bruise! So I'm building my fitness and strength back up. Although that Trek in the window is gorgeous I will keep my lower-spec white Triban 3 and maybe upgrade parts as they wear out. Mind you, as they are such good value i might spot a higher-spec Triban complete with up rated bits second hand and just swap seats.
The roads round here would destroy an expensive thoroughbred, so I'll keep her and get fitter instead.
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Post by erictherat on Mar 28, 2017 8:39:49 GMT
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Post by amenca18 on Apr 4, 2017 5:54:42 GMT
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