Triban RC520 vs Triban RC529 Gravel?
Maddog 1
Posts: 7
Need to buy a winter Bike! option to fit mudguards and the added safety of disc brakes etc! And would like to cycle canal paths etc. Was looking at the Triban 520rc and the Triban 520 rc Gravel! What are your views on these 2 bikes? Many thanks! 
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Other than the tyres and handlebar, they're the same bike, except that the normal RC520 is £120 cheaper... It looks pretty good as a winter road bike, but isn't really much good as a gravel bike because of the restricted tyre size.0
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Thank you for the Reply!whyamihere wrote:Other than the tyres and handlebar, they're the same bike, except that the normal RC520 is £120 cheaper... It looks pretty good as a winter road bike, but isn't really much good as a gravel bike because of the restricted tyre size.0 -
I had exactly the same dilemma and went for the GRAVEL. I have bought it through the cycle scheme and will be using it as my daily all year round commuting bike. I thought the wider tyres would make it more comfortable on rough potholled roads and less prone to picking up punctures. Also in the metal the gravel paint job is so much nicer. Decathlon do a free 48 hour loan of the bikes so you could ask to try both befor pulling the trigger.0
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Although I did like the look of the Gravel, the extra cost seemed too steep for what was basically the same bike.
Went for the standard RC520 and now have the £120 to spend on bits and bobs Glen
Growing old is mandatory; growing up is optional.0 -
Thank you for the replyravit50 wrote:I had exactly the same dilemma and went for the GRAVEL. I have bought it through the cycle scheme and will be using it as my daily all year round commuting bike. I thought the wider tyres would make it more comfortable on rough potholled roads and less prone to picking up punctures. Also in the metal the gravel paint job is so much nicer. Decathlon do a free 48 hour loan of the bikes so you could ask to try both befor pulling the trigger.0 -
I've been riding By RC 520 Gravel about for a few days, Tyre pressures on 50 psi and the ride comfort over rough and bumpy road is amazing. This is genuinely an all season all terrain bike and recommend it highly.0
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Good bikes but as stated above not much differences apart of handlebars and tubeless tires between them.
Some cutting costs here and there though.. sunrace cassette, Shimano cheap cranks, decathlon wheels (and tires in the cheaper version) with plain gauge spokes (not as good as the double butted).. decathlon saddle and finishing kit.. but, you know, for that price you cannot really expect branded stuff.
Overall a pretty versatile bike, even so I think that a road plus bike is even more versatile. I mean I think I've read that you can fit as wide as 42mm tires on a 650 rim on these tribans but road plus bikes (and thus road plus tires) are at a standard of 47mm on a 650..
My friend that has got a rc520 told me that the paint chips easily too. I remember my thorn club tour resisted to all my abuses parking it here and there.
If I'm in you I'd go for a more sturdy but slower and more expensive steel touring bike. Fuji touring, genesis, Ridgeback, pinnacle and the UK specialists thorn or spa cycles the brands to shop at. I've commuted on a trek 520 disc touring and was incredibly comfortable in both compliance and position on the saddle. Aluminium is a lot harsher than steel. Road plus bikes are really trendy right now and like I said can fit even bigger tires but they can cost even more.0 -
Thank you for the Great Reply0
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Btw I was in decathlon the other day and I saw the gravel.. that paintjob is stunning. By far the best decathlon color I've ever seen. I'm wondering if it's more robust than the normal blue rc520, my friend's 520 bike doesn't look great with those scratches..0
