Triban 5A first ride (pics added)

♠ChumBucket♠

After a year on a MTB (with road tyres) I took the plunge & got a B'TWIN Triban 5A (black as it will be known by apparently) on Saturday.

Please bear in mind though that this is also my first ride (since a kid) on a road bike too.

Anyhow, I have to say I'm delighted with the bike, I've read all the hype surrounding the value for money regarding the Decathlon bikes- but even still, it's exceeded my expectations. For a little over £400 it's unrivalled IMO. It looks smart to boot too. It rides smooth & it feels stable, the brakes are far better than I expected (coming from hydraulic discs). The gears are indexed perfectly & click into position smoothly & with a confident positivity. I'm no road bike expert & so this is just my honest & genuine observation.

Great buy!!!

declan1

Wait two weeks. You won't be happy with it then

♠ChumBucket♠

declan1 wrote:

Wait two weeks. You won't be happy with it then

Only time will tell.

ozzrahog

Please to hear this, I'm waiting for my T5A to be delivered, also moving from an MTB

♠ChumBucket♠

ozzrahog wrote:

Please to hear this, I'm waiting for my T5A to be delivered, also moving from an MTB

You'll not be disappointed. It's like a feather compared to my Ridgeback MX6!!

whitestar1

declan1 wrote:

Wait two weeks. You won't be happy with it then

What do you mean? Did you have a Triban? Or you just like to let off wind?

whitestar1

Hi ♠ChumBucket♠
I have just got my first road bike last Thursday, same week as you. The first Triban 7 and I have been riding it every day and love it. Still getting use to the brakes just not like disc brakes I have to agree but they stop really good. I have seen an article saying that they are rubbish once the first rain is encountered so I will be keeping an eye on them. I really am enjoying my rides more than ever now. Enjoy yours too.

declan1

whitestar1 wrote:

declan1 wrote:

Wait two weeks. You won't be happy with it then

What do you mean? Did you have a Triban? Or you just like to let off wind?

I'm just saying after two weeks he'll be looking for his first upgrade

Ron Bones

I just got a second hand Triban 3 and I'm dead chuffed with it! I'm sure it will only be a stepping stone to better things but for a start the decathlon bikes seem really good. I did hours of research before buying and you'd be hard pressed to find any negativity about the Triban's or Decathlon bike son the whole.

zoltansocrates

declan1 wrote:

whitestar1 wrote:

declan1 wrote:

Wait two weeks. You won't be happy with it then

What do you mean? Did you have a Triban? Or you just like to let off wind?

I'm just saying after two weeks he'll be looking for his first upgrade

two options on reply here - first assumes a dig at decathlon bikes so....

and how long did it take for you, on a VIKING ffs, to start thinking upgrades? i bet the ink on your cheque wasnt even dry, in fact id be gutted knowing that there are decathlon bikes in the same price bracket yet i still chose a viking - one rung up the ladder from a bso!

2nd reply option assumes 'new to road bikes, its addictive isnt it?'...in which case - too right!

confession time here - i picked up the T7A and immeadiately got them to put mu aksiums on it
rides superbly, no regrets, only want to upgrade the bars to sometihng like the bontrager aero 1 or whatever they are called - ones with flat aero shape bars, nice and comfy on the hands

declan1

zoltansocrates wrote:

declan1 wrote:

whitestar1 wrote:

declan1 wrote:

Wait two weeks. You won't be happy with it then

What do you mean? Did you have a Triban? Or you just like to let off wind?

I'm just saying after two weeks he'll be looking for his first upgrade

two options on reply here - first assumes a dig at decathlon bikes so....

and how long did it take for you, on a VIKING ffs, to start thinking upgrades? i bet the ink on your cheque wasnt even dry, in fact id be gutted knowing that there are decathlon bikes in the same price bracket yet i still chose a viking - one rung up the ladder from a bso!

2nd reply option assumes 'new to road bikes, its addictive isnt it?'...in which case - too right!

confession time here - i picked up the T7A and immeadiately got them to put mu aksiums on it
rides superbly, no regrets, only want to upgrade the bars to sometihng like the bontrager aero 1 or whatever they are called - ones with flat aero shape bars, nice and comfy on the hands

Oh FFS. Why is everyone these days so bloody serious all the time? I WAS JOKING.

zx6man

I got it....

♠ChumBucket♠

First upgrade ordered- a shorter stem!!

Got the fit just about right now but to be "right" I need just a slightly shorter reach. I'm "just" in the size bracket for a 54 but the 51 (next size down) is seriously small. So, I anticipate once fitted I'll have it cracked!

I'm still amazed just how smooth & accurate the gears are- given they are the lower end of shimano's range.

HenryTheHoover

edit: wrong thread!

frazered

Pics ?

SoSimple

♠ChumBucket♠ wrote:

First upgrade ordered- a shorter stem!!

Got the fit just about right now but to be "right" I need just a slightly shorter reach. I'm "just" in the size bracket for a 54 but the 51 (next size down) is seriously small. So, I anticipate once fitted I'll have it cracked!

I'm still amazed just how smooth & accurate the gears are- given they are the lower end of shimano's range.

Vindicated I'd say!

♠ChumBucket♠

70mm stem fitted today & seat moved back slightly. Much better riding position for me. I can feel the steering is more "responsive" if I encourage the issue, but to be honest it hasn't made any dramatic difference at all. Did 22 miles after work & all seems ok.

I'll see how I go over the next few weeks with any minor tweaks here & there.

alal123

declan1 wrote:

zoltansocrates wrote:

declan1 wrote:

whitestar1 wrote:

declan1 wrote:

Wait two weeks. You won't be happy with it then

What do you mean? Did you have a Triban? Or you just like to let off wind?

I'm just saying after two weeks he'll be looking for his first upgrade

two options on reply here - first assumes a dig at decathlon bikes so....

and how long did it take for you, on a VIKING ffs, to start thinking upgrades? i bet the ink on your cheque wasnt even dry, in fact id be gutted knowing that there are decathlon bikes in the same price bracket yet i still chose a viking - one rung up the ladder from a bso!

2nd reply option assumes 'new to road bikes, its addictive isnt it?'...in which case - too right!

confession time here - i picked up the T7A and immeadiately got them to put mu aksiums on it
rides superbly, no regrets, only want to upgrade the bars to sometihng like the bontrager aero 1 or whatever they are called - ones with flat aero shape bars, nice and comfy on the hands

Oh FFS. Why is everyone these days so bloody serious all the time? I WAS JOKING.

...well funny you.

got one myself this week, cant wait to get him out this weekend, hopefully wont want to upgrade in a couple of weeks.

Have you had any problems with the shop installation? or do the gears etc all seem to be set up fine?

Philly8mt

Been with my mate today to Decathlon and he picked up the last 5 Black in the shop .... Selling extremely well.
For £429.00 he can't go wrong, decent spec for his first road bike and nice colour scheme (black with blue ... Team Sky influence?). They even fit lights on the bloody thing in with the cost!

Bargain

♠ChumBucket♠

Here's a few pics with the 70mm Deda stem on.

jakemiller

actually looks like a really nice bike, just change those pedals for clipless. How does it ride

♠ChumBucket♠

jakemiller wrote:

actually looks like a really nice bike, just change those pedals for clipless. How does it ride

Great, I have no complaints- although I have no other road bike to compare it with, but everything is smooth, quiet & works just as it should.

I AM surprised at how light it is, given it's price especially.

matt@theforce

I had a look at them the other day when I was in Decathlon. They look really smart. I hope you enjoy your bike

mrbubbaman

How are you getting on with the shorter stem? and where did you buy it?
I think I may need one on my Boardman, as I'm thinking the reach is just slightly too much for me, but I couldn't get a smaller frame.

macro_man

this is a very good bike for the price.
got mine yesterday and i am really chuffed with it. i have zero road bike experience and my last bike was a cheap heavy MTB!!!

the T5A is fast.... and its off the mark quick... love it.

already thinking of upgrades..... first up will have to be the saddle! maybe something with gel inserts around the 50 squid mark. suggestions?
i have used it 3 times and my bums already hurting! the person at the shop set my seat pos. using ' the heel' method. perhaps its not right. :shock:

sharif

♠ChumBucket♠

macro_man wrote:

this is a very good bike for the price.
got mine yesterday and i am really chuffed with it. i have zero road bike experience and my last bike was a cheap heavy MTB!!!

the T5A is fast.... and its off the mark quick... love it.

already thinking of upgrades..... first up will have to be the saddle! maybe something with gel inserts around the 50 squid mark. suggestions?
i have used it 3 times and my bums already hurting! the person at the shop set my seat pos. using ' the heel' method. perhaps its not right. :shock:

sharif

The standard saddle is brutal!!!!!

Camcycle1974

Cracking looking bike. What equipment does is come with (groupset etc)?