B'twin Triban 3

merc230ce

Hi all,
I had decided that my first road bike would be a Carrera Virtuoso, reduced to £299 up North, when someone here suggested a Triban 3 for the same price. I had never heard of these before, but on the face of it they beat the Virtuoso for 3 reasons:

1. Carbon fork vs steel
2. Triple chainring vs double
3: Lighter weight

But one of the reasons I was happy to go with the Virtuoso was the good BikeRadar review it got a couple of years ago, and I can't find any reviews of the Triban other than 'user reviews' on cycling forums.

Does anyone know of any? Even if they're in French? (It's a French bike) I could run them through Google Translate...

Jawgap

They're sold through Decathlon - they're their own brand bike.

The specs look like good value.

dermur

Seems to be a decent entry-level bike alright and looks very nice too...

http://www.decathlon.co.uk/triban-3-id_8167038.html

I'd pop into their shop in Belfast and get a test cycle on it. Decathlon generally make very good own-brand stuff. I've never had any complaints with anything I've bought from them. Have three year old btwin bib shorts which are still going strong!

mcgratheoin

I'm waiting for delivery of a 54 for the OH at the moment - I'll let you know what I think once it gets here.

merc230ce

mcgratheoin wrote: »

I'm waiting for delivery of a 54 for the OH at the moment - I'll let you know what I think once it gets here.

Do you live in the UK or did you arrange delivery from there?

mcgratheoin

merc230ce wrote: »

Do you live in the UK or did you arrange delivery from there?

I ordered from Belfast for delivery to Dublin - costs £14.99 for delivery. If you want to get something delivered from them, then for your postcode you have to use "EIRE 123". When you find your product and click "Buy Online" on the Decathlon website, it will ask you for the first half of your postcode and will then direct you to the Belfast site.

Original notice here

merc230ce

mcgratheoin wrote: »

I ordered from Belfast for delivery to Dublin - costs £14.99 for delivery.

That's a great price! Sure it'd cost more than that in petrol to go up and get it. I wonder how much assembly is required? I'd be grand fitting the front wheel and straightening the handlebars, maybe raising the saddle, but not sure how I'd get on with anything more complicated :-/

mcgratheoin

merc230ce wrote: »

That's a great price! Sure it'd cost more than that in petrol to go up and get it. I wonder how much assembly is required? I'd be grand fitting the front wheel and straightening the handlebars, maybe raising the saddle, but not sure how I'd get on with anything more complicated :-/

Bike arrived yesterday and it comes fully assembled with the handlebars loose so all you need is a set of allen keys to get it ready to go. It seems to ride pretty well and it looks pretty sweet. It'll probably need to have the gears adjusted after a few weeks - but there's nothing unusual about that, you can always drop it into your lbs for a tune-up if you want.

For 400 euros delivered to the door, I haven't seen anything else out there to match it.

merc230ce

mcgratheoin wrote: »

Bike arrived yesterday and it comes fully assembled with the handlebars loose so all you need is a set of allen keys to get it ready to go. It seems to ride pretty well and it looks pretty sweet. It'll probably need to have the gears adjusted after a few weeks - but there's nothing unusual about that, you can always drop it into your lbs for a tune-up if you want.

For 400 euros delivered to the door, I haven't seen anything else out there to match it.

That's good to hear. Now I just need to figure out what size would suit. Most likely the 54cm (I'm 5'8'')

mcgratheoin

merc230ce wrote: »

That's good to hear. Now I just need to figure out what size would suit. Most likely the 54cm (I'm 5'8'')

If you want to try the 54 in south Dublin, then send me a PM..

route66

In the August 2012 issue of cycling active, they test the B’Twin Triban 3 against 3 other road bikes. What makes the test interesting is that the prices on all the bikes vary from the dearest at £900 (The Vitus Decium) to the cheapest @ £300 (B’Twin Triban 3)

And the winner is (drumroll) ...

The B'Twin with a rating of 92%!

They said it was great value for money, had good kit and rode well - i.e. not like a BSO. They also liked the Vitus and gave it 91%. Obviously if money were no object, it's the best on test, but they didn't think the price - at 3 times the B'Twin - was worth it. The Pinnacle @ £500 was third and the GT (£700) last.

I've also just noticed that the B'Twin is the same weight as my 2 year old Focus Variado ...

soghluaiste

route66 wrote: »

In the August 2012 issue of cycling active, they test the B’Twin Triban 3 against 3 other road bikes. What makes the test interesting is that the prices on all the bikes vary from the dearest at £900 (The Vitus Decium) to the cheapest @ £300 (B’Twin Triban 3)

And the winner is (drumroll) ...

The B'Twin with a rating of 92%!

They said it was great value for money, had good kit and rode well - i.e. not like a BSO. They also liked the Vitus and gave it 91%. Obviously if money were no object, it's the best on test, but they didn't think the price - at 3 times the B'Twin - was worth it. The Pinnacle @ £500 was third and the GT (£700) last.

I've also just noticed that the B'Twin is the same weight as my 2 year old Focus Variado ...

Right, so here's my conundrum ... And apologies in advance if this is a stupid question.

I'm looking for a road bike for doing the odd 100km run at weekends and maybe some commutes when my touring bike is taking a rest. Should I go for the Triban 3 even though Decathlon aren't signed up for the Irish bike to work scheme? (yet - they're thinking about it after I suggested it).

OR should I put the same €400 towards a bike from somewhere else that is registered on the BTW scheme and get a bike priced at around €800 but save on the tax?

That magazine review has me confused about whether the Triban 3 is so good it beats even much more expensive bikes...

Any and all advice gratefully received - thanks.

route66

I got the impression the Btwin won based on a good setup & super-low price. The Vitus in the test was a better bike. If you have a btw option available ( up to 1/2 price discount) then I'd say spend the extra (gross).

soghluaiste

route66 wrote: »

I got the impression the Btwin won based on a good setup & super-low price. The Vitus in the test was a better bike. If you have a btw option available ( up to 1/2 price discount) then I'd say spend the extra (gross).

Ok - thanks, that makes sense. I'll have a look at other threads to see what bikes are being recommended in that higher price range...

route66

Somebody posted a PDF copy of the B'Twin review here: link

MunchkinKid

mcgratheoin wrote: »

I ordered from Belfast for delivery to Dublin - costs £14.99 for delivery. If you want to get something delivered from them, then for your postcode you have to use "EIRE 123". When you find your product and click "Buy Online" on the Decathlon website, it will ask you for the first half of your postcode and will then direct you to the Belfast site.

Original notice here

I'm trying to order a 51cm at the moment, but it doesn't let me fill in the second "postcode" field? It's meant to say Ireland but when I click on the drop-down menu an error message comes up.. Really want to get one ordered asap! Can anyone work it out?

JMcL

MunchkinKid wrote: »

I'm trying to order a 51cm at the moment, but it doesn't let me fill in the second "postcode" field? It's meant to say Ireland but when I click on the drop-down menu an error message comes up.. Really want to get one ordered asap! Can anyone work it out?

Use "eire123" - see http://www.decathlon.co.uk/ecuk/m/zip/10456_1_7.zip_dir/Ireland/index.html?opeco=opeco:footer-Ireland&type=opeco

MunchkinKid

It's actually the Area part - the bit that's supposed to say Ireland. When I click onto it it says "error with the field Area". I've emailed the Belfast shop to see if I can order directly or if they can sort it!

merc230ce

Yeah not only have they stopped delivering to Ireland, there's now a glitch on the website so you can't even purchase it online for in-store collection.

I drove up last night to buy one of the two 51cm models they had in stock. I think it's a bloody brilliant bike for the money. I got it for my son for Xmas so I haven't taken it out for a spin yet, but I really like it. The only bit that I thought seemed a bit inferior to my '08 Trek 1.2 were the (Shimano 2300) brifters - I don't like the way the entire gear indicator bit moves with the levers - but that's it. All in all it's deadly.

route66

merc230ce wrote: »

Yeah not only have they stopped delivering to Ireland, there's now a glitch on the website so you can't even purchase it online for in-store collection.

I drove up last night to buy one of the two 51cm models they had in stock. I think it's a bloody brilliant bike for the money. I got it for my son for Xmas so I haven't taken it out for a spin yet, but I really like it. The only bit that I thought seemed a bit inferior to my '08 Trek 1.2 were the (Shimano 2300) brifters - I don't like the way the entire gear indicator bit moves with the levers - but that's it. All in all it's deadly.

Did you get one for yourself as well?

BlackYogurt

It's my birthday tomorrow and I planned on ordering this for myself. ****ing devastated to find out they are not shipping to Ireland now. Anyone going up to Belfast store sometime soon?

goldenwonder

how about its slightly cheaper version?http://www.decathlon.co.uk/triban-3-road-bike-white-id_8239800.html
if the other doesnt get stocked soon

mrqpr

Does anybody know whether this bike can be sourced from a french site perhaps? I understand that the bikes are designed/ manufactured in France and Italy. thanks.

couerdelion

Can you not buy and use Parcel Motel in Belfast as the delivery address? - There might be a charge and you'll need to pick up from the depot but might work out cheaper in the long run.

mrqpr

Thanks couerdelion, however, I understand that there might be a restriction on the parcel size using parcel motel?

If I do manage to buy from the north I wonder if it would be difficult to avail of the cycle to work scheme too? My company will only uses a cheque as a payment method

c07

Mrqpr, I'm not sure if you got sorted or not, but I just got delivery of my triban3 from Belfast decathlon yesterday.
It doesn't quite let you do it online, I went via customer service and dealt with a guy called Ron in their workshop. He guided me thru a process online to reserve the bike (dummied the cost of postage in, under his direction, by adding a specific helmet to the order), then let him know when order was completed and gave him my address for postage via email with copy of order. Took a week to deliver.
I know it sounds convoluted, but worth it if you still want to get the bike.
Took it for a spin last night..... Sweeeeeeet!

mrqpr

Thanks for the tip off there! I had to go above budget in the end c07 and buy from tallaght, which I regret as I got no service or help whatsoever off this store (T** C**** I**), plus they reneged on the deal I had initially arranged. Good job in sourcing that bike though. I would have done something similar but had given up on this thread!!

Out of interest, was the cycle to work scheme an option for you? That was the only thing that stopped me buying online.

c07

Ah damn, sorry you had to go the other route and get such sh!t service. ��
No, unfortunately I used my cycletowork scheme to get a mountain bike last nov not realising that I was going to get sucked into triathlons. Raging..
Hope you are at least enjoying the new bike?!

Surveyor11

Strongly thinking of picking up the Triban 5A in France in a few weeks, for 5c short of 500 yo-yos it's stonking value. Comes with the new Sora as well. http://www.decathlon.fr/velo-route-triban-5-a-id_8239801.html

mrqpr

Yeah, the bike is great thanks. There are a couple of killer hills where I feel I'd need an engine under me, but overall it's very comfortable and quick too !! Went for a defy 1 in black.

Any tips for the hills? Maybe I am being too ambitious perhaps, but I am doing fine (generally!!) in Dalkey but as soon as I tried Stepaside Lane my lungs and legs went ballistic!

valleyoftheunos

mrqpr wrote: »

Yeah, the bike is great thanks. There are a couple of killer hills where I feel I'd need an engine under me, but overall it's very comfortable and quick too !! Went for a defy 1 in black.

Any tips for the hills? Maybe I am being too ambitious perhaps, but I am doing fine (generally!!) in Dalkey but as soon as I tried Stepaside Lane my lungs and legs went ballistic!

Keep trying and you will soon see the improvement, after five or six weeks on the bike I'm getting up hills I couldn't previously and moving faster up the ones I could climb.

Surveyor11

You'll build up your general fitness first, then take the hills gradually. Stepaside Lane is 12% average gradient - pretty full on if you're starting off. My own preference if for tackling hills seated as much as I can - I generally only get out of the saddle to stretch, or maybe for a very short time to take on a particularly steep bit. Slowly slowly catchy monkey....

valleyoftheunos

Surveyor11 wrote: »

You'll build up your general fitness first, then take the hills gradually. Stepaside Lane is 12% average gradient - pretty full on if you're starting off. My own preference if for tackling hills seated as much as I can - I generally only get out of the saddle to stretch, or maybe for a very short time to take on a particularly steep bit. Slowly slowly catchy monkey....

+1 stay in the saddle and go at a pace that allows you to keep your heart rate in a sustainable zone. go slowly enough and you can get up anything!

djtwigster

Surveyor11 wrote: »

Strongly thinking of picking up the Triban 5A in France in a few weeks, for 5c short of 500 yo-yos it's stonking value. Comes with the new Sora as well. http://www.decathlon.fr/velo-route-triban-5-a-id_8239801.html

Go for it surveyor11, I have my 5a since the start of the month. Its a super bike for the money and just gets better and better with each spin.
Great website for any owners/potential buyers.http://www.triban3owners.freeforums.net/
Triban 5a strongly recommended.

mrqpr

Thanks for those tips troops. Will keep in mind ahead of my next trip to the hills!That Triban 5a looks like a great piece of kit. Plenty of good value out there if you're willing to do the leg work. Based on the feedback here I have advised a pal to call into the the store in Belfast. He hasn't got a cycle to work scheme option so needs a lot more bang for his buck.

stevemc01

Can you use the bike to work scheme to buy the triban 3 from Belfast?

mr_staggerlee

Hoping for a reply as would like to do the same :-)

Lumen

stevemc01 wrote: »

Can you use the bike to work scheme to buy the triban 3 from Belfast?

Depends on your employer.

mrqpr

You can buy from any store using the scheme, even online using the likes of chainreaction or canyon, however, it all depends on how flexible your employer is. If you are stuck with a cheque provided by the employer you will find it very difficult to buy outside of an Irish bricks and mortar store. Should your employer allow for the use of a company credit card then your options are endless. Typically, the larger the employer the more restrictive you will find it.

seanin4711

mrqpr wrote: »

You can buy from any store using the scheme, even online using the likes of chainreaction or canyon, however, it all depends on how flexible your employer is. If you are stuck with a cheque provided by the employer you will find it very difficult to buy outside of an Irish bricks and mortar store. Should your employer allow for the use of a company credit card then your options are endless. Typically, the larger the employer the more restrictive you will find it.

It depends who your employer has employed to host the bike to work.
My employer has taxfreebikes and the only deal with mostly bricks and mortar bike shops in the republic.
(Much to my dismay as i badly wanted a canyon roadlite and went through it with taxfreebikes and canyon ad nausium ).
went with next best option full carbon planet x.
happy out!

CramCycle

seanin4711 wrote: »

It depends who your employer has employed to host the bike to work.
My employer has taxfreebikes and the only deal with mostly bricks and mortar bike shops in the republic.
(Much to my dismay as i badly wanted a canyon roadlite and went through it with taxfreebikes and canyon ad nausium ).
went with next best option full carbon planet x.
happy out!

Alot of companies don't have someone to host the bike to work scheme. Quite a few sort it out themselves which generally works out better for the employee (better choice, no hidden charges) and IMO the employer as it garners good will and its not difficult to set up, be the company big or small.

stevemc01

Thanks guys, work in an accountancy practice, should be able to sort it through the co.credit card. I'm only a beginner. Have done two 55k sportifs on a Kelly stylus cross and have to upgrade to something half decent. Is the spec on the red Triban 3 much better than the white one?

Surveyor11

Surveyor11 wrote: »

Strongly thinking of picking up the Triban 5A in France in a few weeks, for 5c short of 500 yo-yos it's stonking value. Comes with the new Sora as well. http://www.decathlon.fr/velo-route-triban-5-a-id_8239801.html

Picked this up in Orlean on the way back from France on Friday, have to say a lot of bike for the money - 5c short of 500 yo yos. Sora Triple chainset, rd, fd & shifters. Wheels are generic Btwin - seem solid and heavy. I'm using this for commuting, so will be fitted out with mudguards (which there are eyelets for) and a set of gatorskins. Wheels will be upgraded to Mavic Askium when funds allow.

route66

Surveyor11 wrote: »

Picked this up in Orlean on the way back from France on Friday, have to say a lot of bike for the money - 5c short of 500 yo yos. Sora Triple chainset, rd, fd & shifters. Wheels are generic Btwin - seem solid and heavy. I'm using this for commuting, so will be fitted out with mudguards (which there are eyelets for) and a set of gatorskins. Wheels will be upgraded to Mavic Askium when funds allow.

Very nice bike - but its last year's model.

This is both good and bad by the way. Your frame is more or less the one from this years "7", coming with a carbon front and rear. The Sora however is last year's and has the unreachable gear trigger thingies. Nevertheless a great spec for 500 euros.

I spent a few hours in Decatholon myself in France a few weeks ago and was tempted myself; saw the bike you bought but this year's model was not in stock.

Definitely worth missing out on the wine ;-)

Surveyor11

route66 wrote: »

Very nice bike - but its last year's model.

This is both good and bad by the way. Your frame is more or less the one from this years "7", coming with a carbon front and rear. The Sora however is last year's and has the unreachable gear trigger thingies. Nevertheless a great spec for 500 euros.

I spent a few hours in Decatholon myself in France a few weeks ago and was tempted myself; saw the bike you bought but this year's model was not in stock.

Definitely worth missing out on the wine ;-)

Yeah, realise it's the old Sora - probably reflected in the €100 discount that I got. At least it makes it easier when reverting to campy on my 'good' bike'.:pac:

The 5A cannot be had for love nor money (even the 5 is scarce as well - I got the last one after ringing around a load of stores near where I was travelling). According to the guys I spoke to in the stores in France, the 5A is neigh on impossible to get hold of - perhaps they're trying to get rid of the old stock before they put these en-masse on the shelves. I tried three different stores with no luck and can't be reserved on line.

As for the wine -well, that was squeezed in as well as the new bike, so happy camper all in all. :cool:

BlackYogurt

Just wondering has anyone recently purchased the Triban 3 via the Belfast store? Tempted to pick it up if it's still possible.

djtwigster

BlackYogurt wrote: »

Just wondering has anyone recently purchased the Triban 3 via the Belfast store? Tempted to pick it up if it's still possible.

Just give them a call and they'll fill u in. I had 57'' red reserved in my name 2 weeks ago but did not need it as i had already bought a 5a. Pm me and i'll give u the details but i would say it is long since gone at this stage. Glad i went for the 5a though. Great bike too for not much more than the 3.

BlackYogurt

thanks for this, i'll give them a call.

stevemc01

I went into a bike shop close to the job last week to try a few different frame sizes and also tried a few of my mates bikes last Sunday. It seems that a 54 frame is what I need, so bought a red 54 Triban 3 from the Belfast store yesterday. I found it very hard to get through to them on the phone during the week though but when I did get through yesterday they were very helpful and the bike should be delivered next week