Triban RC 520 Gravel Adventure Bike. Any owners?

prhymeate
prhymeate Posts: 795
edited April 2019 in Road buying advice
Just had my bike stolen and looking for a replacement. Kinda stuck between getting another nice one with full hydros etc, or something cheaper as I don't really feel like spending over 1k if possible. Anyone have any experience with the Triban RC 520 gravel? It looks quite good for the price. Any other suggestions welcome :)
https://www.decathlon.co.uk/rc-520-grav ... 54425.html

Comments

  • moonshine
    moonshine Posts: 1,021
    that is a nice looking bike.
    The only downsides I can see is it is QR (rather than Thru-axle) and cable disks rather than hydraulic.
    well priced, but heavy at 10.3k, scrimping on some components (e.g. microshift cassette/) no obvious geometry chart

    as an alternative (albeit a little bit dearer) how about the Boardman CXR8.9? with Apex 1X11 and Apex Hydraulic Disks
    https://www.boardmanbikes.com/gb_en/pro ... r-8.9.html heavier at 11kg, but better components - but may be more CX than Gravel geometry.... ?
  • durhamwasp
    durhamwasp Posts: 1,247
    Are they not hydraulic brakes?

    "TRP HY/RD disc brakes.
    Cable-operated hydraulic pistons, ensuring reliability and efficiency"


    Currently looking at this, Canyon Grail 7.0, Planet x Space Chicken and Ribble CGR, pretty much all the same weight, and looks like you get a lot of value out of the Triban at only £849
    http://www.snookcycling.wordpress.com - Reports on Cingles du Mont Ventoux, Alpe D'Huez, Galibier, Izoard, Tourmalet, Paris-Roubaix Sportive & Tour of Flanders Sportive, Amstel Gold Xperience, Vosges, C2C, WOTR routes....
  • mrb123
    mrb123 Posts: 4,833
    They're not full hydraulics. The calipers do have a hydraulic action but it's a standard cable that runs down to them. Bit of a halfway house really. Full hydraulics would be better but they're preferable to TRP Spyres.
  • durhamwasp
    durhamwasp Posts: 1,247
    Thanks for explanation
    http://www.snookcycling.wordpress.com - Reports on Cingles du Mont Ventoux, Alpe D'Huez, Galibier, Izoard, Tourmalet, Paris-Roubaix Sportive & Tour of Flanders Sportive, Amstel Gold Xperience, Vosges, C2C, WOTR routes....
  • durhamwasp
    durhamwasp Posts: 1,247
    Canyon Grail 6.0 with Tiagra at £1000 also looks a good buy (or £1350 with 105)
    http://www.snookcycling.wordpress.com - Reports on Cingles du Mont Ventoux, Alpe D'Huez, Galibier, Izoard, Tourmalet, Paris-Roubaix Sportive & Tour of Flanders Sportive, Amstel Gold Xperience, Vosges, C2C, WOTR routes....
  • prhymeate
    prhymeate Posts: 795
    Cheers for the replies. In an ideal world the triban would have an option to upgrade to full hydro. I like the idea of just going in store to try before I buy, rather than online only like canyon. The problem is, the nearer I get to spending 1k, the nearer I get to deciding to spend all my savings on something really nice.
  • prhymeate
    prhymeate Posts: 795
    hmm, as expected I'm tempted to spend more and possibly get the Cannondale Topstone Disc 105. I like the idea of gravel riding but I wonder if I'd miss having a proper road bike with bigger gears... https://www.tredz.co.uk/.Cannondale-Top ... 203900.htm
  • kingrollo
    kingrollo Posts: 3,198
    Merlin Cycles Malt G £650 last time I looked.

    https://www.merlincycles.com/merlin-mal ... source=PHG
  • kingrollo
    kingrollo Posts: 3,198
    Prhymeate wrote:
    hmm, as expected I'm tempted to spend more and possibly get the Cannondale Topstone Disc 105. I like the idea of gravel riding but I wonder if I'd miss having a proper road bike with bigger gears... https://www.tredz.co.uk/.Cannondale-Top ... 203900.htm

    youre not looking at the topstone as a do it all bike are you ?

    My work colleague has one - it looks to chunky to be a fast road bike - it definitley errs towards off ride that would suffice for a limited bit of on road.
  • prhymeate
    prhymeate Posts: 795
    kingrollo wrote:
    Prhymeate wrote:
    hmm, as expected I'm tempted to spend more and possibly get the Cannondale Topstone Disc 105. I like the idea of gravel riding but I wonder if I'd miss having a proper road bike with bigger gears... https://www.tredz.co.uk/.Cannondale-Top ... 203900.htm

    youre not looking at the topstone as a do it all bike are you ?

    My work colleague has one - it looks to chunky to be a fast road bike - it definitley errs towards off ride that would suffice for a limited bit of on road.

    More of a commuter that I could take on some gravel trails but also get a nicer wheelset and 25mm tyres for if I wanted a long road ride. Someone at weightweenies seemed to think it did a pretty good job on the road, although I think he was coming from a mountain bike so... https://weightweenies.starbike.com/foru ... p?t=154830
  • shewy
    shewy Posts: 62
    Go full hydraulic, it's like night and day.
    I have it on my Boardman CX and although 10kg it's plenty quick
  • chippyk
    chippyk Posts: 529
    Bought a Planet X London Road SL the other week for commuting, mechanical Apex 1, £500.
    Takes 42mm tyres, comes with 28mm, although they seem a hell of a lot wider than the 28mm Pirelli on my Synapse.
    Could have upgraded to hydraulic Apex for £50, I’m not sure about the night v day comments on hydraulic v mechanical discs, I prefer the hydraulic 105 on my Synapse for sure, but it’s fine for my commute.
    Less convinced by 1x gears, gaps seem a little bit too big but touring, when I’m not pressing on as much, or off road I can see it.
    Honestly for £500 for the SL London Road, I feel like I’ve robbed it off them. I’ll get some new wheels, these are over 2kg and I reckon it’s a great buy.
  • shewy
    shewy Posts: 62
    with regards to 1x the big jumps are at the bottom end so cadence at the top end is not a problem IMO.
    44X11 top end is still pretty quick, and I'm comparing that to a 50-11 which I'm rarely in
  • prhymeate
    prhymeate Posts: 795
    Well I went and bought the Cannondale Topstone. I love this thing. Glad I found somewhere to try a Large as I was going to order an XL but the L fits perfectly (I'm 6'3) I was worried the 40mm tyres would feel slow but it barely feels any slower than my old bike on 28mm and the amount of road buzz they dampen is well worth it. Also the 46/30 up front is really nice. Ok so I just about spin out on long downhill sections but I did the whole ride (kent, rolling countryside) in the big ring. I get that childlike excitement to ride my bike again which I haven't felt for years. Still gutted my other bike was stolen, but I can't deny the big silver lining.
  • durhamwasp
    durhamwasp Posts: 1,247
    Nice to hear!

    Where did you get it from? Ive been reading reviews and looks good!
    http://www.snookcycling.wordpress.com - Reports on Cingles du Mont Ventoux, Alpe D'Huez, Galibier, Izoard, Tourmalet, Paris-Roubaix Sportive & Tour of Flanders Sportive, Amstel Gold Xperience, Vosges, C2C, WOTR routes....
  • prhymeate
    prhymeate Posts: 795
    durhamwasp wrote:
    Nice to hear!

    Where did you get it from? I've been reading reviews and looks good!

    I went to Bike and Run in North London. It was the only place in London that I could find with an L in stock (other than online stores). They were very accommodating. I took it for a few test rides and they made some adjustments, took a wander to have a think about it and then back for another couple of rides before buying. http://www.bikeandrun.co.uk/

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