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Post by Deleted on Mar 20, 2014 10:09:26 GMT
Just want to ask what you guys would like to see from the Tribans or B'twin going forward given that their bike ranges have proved a major success here in the UK.
Personally, I would like to see the development of affordable time trial bikes in the not too distant future.
Is there anything you would like to see?? Discuss
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Post by Radchenister on Mar 20, 2014 11:52:49 GMT
I would agree on TT possibilities but it's a fickle world TTing and would need to be really grilled out; might be difficult to appeal to the many and not just be a niche slot I would imagine. I think options for double or triple gearing on the standard bikes are an important consideration, particularly since switching to a double, there are pros and cons to both of course; I wonder if there is a market for some of the bikes to have an option to choose either. I also think that the low end gears end up being made more steep hill friendly for the majority of more serious riders on here (not all as some are naturally light riders and well hill equipped), so choosing a cassette at start up might be a nice touch. The £1000 carbon bench mark is an interesting topic, particularly in relation to the cycle to work scheme; what is interesting here is what you can get for circa £1000 with potential tweaks to the Alur, as it is one hell of a base model to start on ... but I do wonder if a more standard rear brake position might have been an option at sale point and upgrades to the crank and wheels made possible as a bundle, as this might make it really sweet straight out the can for some people. I will chip in a bit on this thread, as interested but why not explain more yourself - some of us write quite a lot on here already !
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Post by Deleted on Mar 20, 2014 12:36:59 GMT
I'd be first in the queue for a workhorse cyclocross-style bike with disc brakes and mudguard/rack mountings. Look at all of the Boardman CX bikes around - there's a big market.
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Post by Deleted on Mar 20, 2014 16:09:47 GMT
Im with Rad. They need an under a grand carbon. Id of loved to stay BTWIN but had to go elsewhere for better value at that price point
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Post by Deleted on Mar 20, 2014 17:42:43 GMT
I'd be first in the queue for a workhorse cyclocross-style bike with disc brakes and mudguard/rack mountings. Look at all of the Boardman CX bikes around - there's a big market. Ditto. If it could be made to be moderately priced, am sure they'd flog a fair few. Edit: Why aren't there any cheap CX bikes already?!
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Post by ianmoss on Mar 20, 2014 19:57:21 GMT
They need to appeal to the masses with the great value for money Triban range. Pretty much do what they have been doing, the pundits seem to like the 500SE.
The FC 3 was carbon at £850 and always had great reviews.
The new B'Twin Cross bike I think is pretty well priced considering the 105 spec. If someone wanted a cross bike, that kind of says they know what they are talking about. If it's something for the masses that needs to be rode on rougher terrain then a highbred fills that gap.
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Post by Paulinblack on Mar 20, 2014 21:56:31 GMT
From reading through the threads, it would appear that people want 'customisation'.
Much the same as you can build your own computer from scratch or go to companies who do it for you, I would have thought that B'TWIN might want to improve their website and give the option for a 'My Triban'.
Me? I'm happy with what I've got.
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Post by Radchenister on Mar 20, 2014 22:12:35 GMT
I wouldn't really advocate excessive customisation on a vfm bike, they've got the lower budget (under £800 ish) market covered well this season I reckon.
For widening their net a bit, a choice of a double or triple crank set and discounted wheel upgrade options would make a difference IMO - the shifters are the thing you commit to here; particularly an issue to the seasoned rider who's after a trainer or commuter (my ex racer buddy took the granny off his red T3 for commuting) - they're not buying the bike for the same reasons as others starting out.
The reference to the Alur's rear brake is only because they've done something a bit unconventional, I will be aiming to learn the precise reasons for this; suspect it's purely an uneducated reaction based on not understanding the reasons for the change yet and also being a bit conservative / traditionalist about it on my part.
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Post by fatmanona5a on Mar 21, 2014 7:23:57 GMT
In my opinion:- Decathlon are known for the great Value For Money on their "entry" level bikes, which to be honest is why we are here. They took market share off other makes of bike, and expanded the market to people (like me) who had not considered a road bike. I think a CX style bike, with clearance for mudguards and larger tyres + rack mounts would be a popular bike. With the state of the roads it could be a commuting bike, or a light touring bike. I don't know how the geometry of hybrid compares to a CX style bike. IF it could be down to the stem/bars/shifters, one frame MIGHT be able to work in two ranges? The C2W price point of £1000 is a specifically UK thing, but a good VFM bike at that level should be a good seller across Decathlon. I cannot imagine Decathlon ("any colour, as long as it's black........") liking the idea of too many options. IMO, it should have:- 1, carbon frame - it's what the customers want. 2, 10 speed groupset. 3, option of double/triple. Fitness, riders weight and terrain vary widely - so give the customers this choice 4, Shimano 500/501 wheels. Widely used on midrange bikes, cheap to buy in bulk (?), copes with heavier riders and a nice thing for Decathlon to have available as a spare part!
Rant over, Fatmanona5a
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Post by Radchenister on Mar 21, 2014 10:08:02 GMT
Thinking further, the T500 is the threshold bike IMO. Upgrade options might only need apply to that as the SE & T300 are the out and out starter options, perhaps fine on the triple. Here's a simple idea, T500-Tiagra20 option (2x10speed) / T500-Sora27 option (3x9speed). Standard wheels or upgrade to Mavics (or those others if you must ). Could be done with 2 or 3 tick boxes under the T500 choice on website mail order, keep a few of each in store sent from factory - wheel swaps easy. Only thing left then is optional pedals, my factory ones never went on (SPD and then 'Look' style did) - they're not so big a deal to source after of course but if you're going for 'good to go out the box', then might be worth considering. If after a fast commuter/trainer say, I'd buy T500, better wheels, 2x10, Look pedals.
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Post by Paulinblack on Mar 21, 2014 10:16:09 GMT
That is what I was advocating - But without the specifics.
(Christ on a bike! We haven't got this consultancy thing cracked have we? That would have been several tens of thousands of pounds worth of market research and marketing advice all wrapped into a couple of sentences!)
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Post by Radchenister on Mar 21, 2014 10:25:21 GMT
So in other words, you knew there was an issue (that I mentioned earlier anyway) but somebody had to actually do the work to dial it ... are you a manager or something? No offence meant, kind of, said in jest lol ! I think our relationship with the company is purely as users, independent and straight forward, they give us honest good value for money kit / bikes, we love and cherish the stuff and give good feedback and ideas back in return, tell them when things are not so good as well; that way other people get to benefit and join our crew ... simple IMO .
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Post by ianmoss on Mar 21, 2014 11:29:07 GMT
When you start throwing options into a production line it becomes less efficient, which therefor means less profit which has to be recouped by the end retail price. So there is a risk of the base models being less VFM. I wonder how many (not including the over 1000 TOC members) who have a Triban without any upgrades or changes? I will refresh myself with the new range, I think they have most things covered without having a huge price increase. Just to touch on what fatmanona5a mentions about the CTW scheme, I think a lot of manufacturers have bumped the price of a £600 / £700 bike to £1000 to get the maximum they can from the scheme.
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Post by Radchenister on Mar 21, 2014 11:49:06 GMT
Fitting either a Sora or Tiagra groupset is no big deal, fitter just needs to go to either box pile a or box pile b .
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Post by Deleted on Mar 21, 2014 12:12:39 GMT
br] I wonder how many (not including the over 1000 TOC members) who have a Triban without any upgrades or changes? . Waiting to cross Lothian Road in Edinburgh last night I saw a red T3 chained to the railings. I had time to study it and i was surprised to see it was completely unmodified, even down to the original bell! After all the time spent on this forum it was a reminder that some (most?) people just get out and ride!
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