Newbie - Ridley R6 EL vs Triban 7 vs Giant Defy 3

paulb369uk

Good evening everyone, this is my first post and I am after a little (well actually a lot) of advice please. I am new to road bikes however I have decided that I want to get one and will be obtaining it through the cycle to work scheme. I have done quite a lot of reading up on the internet and feel the choice is between the three above.

I have £700 pounds max to spend so would just like to obtain some views please, the Ridley £575 http://www.merlincycles.com/bike-shop/bikes/road-bikes/ridley-road-bikes/ridley-r6-el-road-bike.html and the Tribal £599 http://www.decathlon.co.uk/triban-7-road-bike-black-id_8239802.html#avantageshave the Tiagra set which does seem a lot nicer and more sturdy than the Soro set and they are both cheaper than the Giant £679 . However the Giant is a reputable make and I have not heard of either of the other two (please ignore my ignorance like I say I'm a newbie !!!)

Any advice or other suggestions would be really appreciated

Thanks

jeannot18

I can't comments on the bike, but I can comment on is the excellent after sale service that you will receive at Decathlon. I assume that the Merlin shop is online buying... I don't have a road bike from Decathlon but a MTB (Rockrider 8.1), and everytime I had a problem with the bike, they did fix it, even sometimes to the extent of replacing part when it was not needed! (ie gear were not setup properly, and the mechanic changed the cassette and chain). So if your Decatlhon shop is not too far, may be worth going for the Triban, thus you really need to try the bike before buying (hard to with Internet sale). I am sure somebody will come with more info on which one to go for
JC

diamonddog

Welcome to the forum.
Ridley is a well known make ridden in the tours by a pro team, Triban always get a good write up by people who own them it is just that they are not always available to buy in the size you need. Giant as you say is a big name (no pun intended) but that does not always mean they are better but they are just as good as the other big name brands IMO.
Try and get a ride on the ones you fancy then decide.
Good luck.
Just to add I think you will find the Ridley is a triple chainset.

diamonddog

Have a look at Westbrook Cycles sale, Scott Speedster 30 Compact plus others.

paulb369uk

diamonddog wrote:

Welcome to the forum.
Ridley is a well known make ridden in the tours by a pro team, Triban always get a good write up by people who own them it is just that they are not always available to buy in the size you need. Giant as you say is a big name (no pun intended) but that does not always mean they are better but they are just as good as the other big name brands IMO.
Try and get a ride on the ones you fancy then decide.
Good luck.
Just to add I think you will find the Ridley is a triple chainset.

Thanks for this diamonddog and thank you all for your replies, I seriously need to put a bit of travel in !!! Sheffield to try out the Triban and Chorley to try the Ridley !! However if its going to last me a few years I would rather have a bike that I am comfortable on !! Really appreciate your help.

Paul