B'twin Triban 3 Junior

Shaun67
Shaun67 Posts: 219
edited June 2013 in Road buying advice
I'm going to take my 8 year old son down to our local Decathlon store to have a look at a Triban 3 Junior, he has
started riding with me on Sunday morning, but riding his Giant mountain bike is holding him back, am I looking at
the right bike ? Any advice welcome.

Comments

  • Shaun67
    Shaun67 Posts: 219
    Thanks for your reply, we went down to Decathlon in Sheffield yesterday and had a look at a Triban 3 Junior and the fit was great, the twin break levers worked a treat but hell the bike had some weight to it. We also looked at a Triban 3, the red one, the one in store was a 48 and that was too large, I think a 45 may fit, does any one know what size the Triban 3 Junior frame is ?
    After looking on the internet today I found a Moda Minor in Hull for £380 ish, a bit more than I wanted to pay but may be worth a look.
  • luv2ride
    luv2ride Posts: 2,367
    if you can get a lighter bike, like the Moda Minor I'd go for it. Managed to get a 3rd hand Trek KDR 1000 (24" wheel) for my daughter and she loves it. Bike is much lighter than her Hotrock, and she gets on better with the Sora shifters than the grip shifts on her Hotrock. She's managing some decent distances now, roll on summer...
    Titus Silk Road Ti rigid 29er - Scott Solace 10 disc - Kinesis Crosslight Pro6 disc - Scott CR1 SL - Pinnacle Arkose X 650b - Pinnacle Arkose singlespeed - Specialized Singlecross...& an Ernie Ball Musicman Stingray 4 string...
  • The full sized Triban 3 is only a smidge over 10kgs.
    The junior is a scaled down bike with smaller wheels. Decent equipment for the price and if the full sized model is anything to go buy, should be a modern classic before too long.
    The original red full sized T3's are now becoming harder to obtain and stocks are rapidly diminishing. Just shows how popular they have become.
  • Shaun67
    Shaun67 Posts: 219
    Collected a B'twin 3, the red one this lunch time for my son. I managed to get a 45cm so he's
    a happy little chap, let hope for some sun this weekend.
  • c-mac
    c-mac Posts: 30
    I picked up a Triban 3 a couple of weeks back. Great first road bike so far, cant imagine the junior version would be any worse. Feels so light and significantly quicker compared to my old Giant mountain bike!
  • Shaun67
    Shaun67 Posts: 219
    c-mac, it's just the same as the bigger one's, just very small......
  • Shaun67
    Shaun67 Posts: 219
    Harry and his new B'twin Triban 3 (45cm).
  • swelsbyuk
    swelsbyuk Posts: 421
    I have the same dilemma. What height is your son?
  • Shaun67
    Shaun67 Posts: 219
    Swelsbyuk,

    My son is about 134/135cm, he is just about big enough for it, any smaller and I woundn't bother, the bike would be
    too big. I had to cut around 40mm ish from the seatpost so I could get it right down.
  • swelsbyuk
    swelsbyuk Posts: 421
    I took my daughter with me to Decathlon on Thursday when I bought myself a Triban 3. She was whizzing around the store on the junior model but it seemed just right for her - not much room for the inevitable growth spurt! She is 128cm but, from what you say, she may be a little small for the 45 cm model?
  • bold seagull
    bold seagull Posts: 145
    Shaun67 wrote:
    Swelsbyuk,

    My son is about 134/135cm, he is just about big enough for it, any smaller and I woundn't bother, the bike would be
    too big. I had to cut around 40mm ish from the seatpost so I could get it right down.


    Hi Shaun, how is your son getting on with the 45 Triban 3 ?

    My daughter is 139/140 cm tall with a 65 cm inside leg. I was looking at the Triban 3 jnr, but from what your saying with your son at 135cm tall, perhaps she'd be okay on the full model.

    I've also got 2 younger sons, so it will be passed down so a bigger model now would mean more of a wait for them I suppose.
  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Posts: 79,666
    Hi Shaun, bike looks great in the small frame ;-)
    That comes with 650c wheels right? I think its great that decathlon/B'Twin bikes do that.

    Your son will soon grow a little so the seat can come up. I think 650c wheels are quite important as the bike is a lot more controllable and confidence inspiring.

    My daughter has just started using her 650c Felt and loves it.

    There will be loads of growing room in that, and resale will be high. Great bike.
    Dont forget to mark a new minimum saddle insertion on the seat post now that you have shortened it.
    You can get him a nice comfy carbon one when he is bigger ;-)
  • Shaun67
    Shaun67 Posts: 219
    Good afternoon all,

    The Triban is now used every day after school and yes it's not far of perfect for him.

    Carbonator, carbon seat post..... :D

    bold seagull, my son's inside leg is now 64cm and he fits on it fine. I would buy the Triban 3
    over the Junior every time with your daughter being tall enough at 140cm. The Triban 3 &
    Junior are very different bikes.
  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Posts: 79,666
    Shaun67 wrote:

    Carbonator, carbon seat post..... :D

    Only when he gets too big for the one you had to cut. Bargain upgrade :P

    You wil be looking at bling 650c wheels soon I'll bet :lol:
  • bold seagull
    bold seagull Posts: 145
    Shaun67 wrote:
    bold seagull, my son's inside leg is now 64cm and he fits on it fine. I would buy the Triban 3
    over the Junior every time with your daughter being tall enough at 140cm. The Triban 3 &
    Junior are very different bikes.

    Hi Shaun, one more thing, is there the clearances for a thicker slightly more cycleX tyre? It's the one thing I'm undecided on given the Isla Luath is easily adaptable to X or touring.

    I've got on the South Downs Way on my road bike on 25 tyres, so I know they are more capable than people think.
  • Shaun67
    Shaun67 Posts: 219
    Sorry for late reply, yes lots of clearance for bigger tyre.

    I went for the B'twin over the Islabike because it was cheaper, has better spec (carbon fork)
    and Decathlon are only 25 miles away.
  • imposter2.0
    imposter2.0 Posts: 12,028
    Shaun67 wrote:
    Sorry for late reply, yes lots of clearance for bigger tyre.

    Worth bearing in mind that nobody actually makes CX tyres in 650c.