New bike trouble; advice on Entry level road bike

Otis_taylor2

Hi all,

I would like some advice on current situation on a new bike purchased, and suggestions for an entry level road bike.

I had recently bought aTriban 500 from Decathlon and im not very happy with it.
The chainset was rattling and the chain almost skipped twice on the first run. It was also quite difficult to shift gears on the front using micro-shifters. I would like to return it as i'm not very pleased with it.

- Frame size

My height is 5'6.5"and i got the 51cm frame, which i'm not sure now was the correct choice. I believe a 52 or 53 would be the right frame size for me, but the triban only comes in 51 or 54. I didn't want to go for the 54 since it may be a bit too big for me.

- 650c vs 700c.

I went for the 650c wheel after reading a bit about it online, about the benefits of a 650c wheel for a small rider, but i'm not sure if i'd fall in that category. Are there significant benefits to using a 650c over a 700c?

1) So should i get a 54 frame with 700c?

2) what other entry level bikes would i get for a Budget of under 400?

Is the Carerra Zelos 2015a good bike compared to the Btwin or should i go for the Btwin SE 500

What other entry level bikes are in the market for 400?
or should i just fix the Btwin i have myself and stick with it.

I wouldn't prefer the second hand route as its quite a hassle. I just need a decent entry level bike and would like to start cycling.

Otis_taylor2

Anyone? please ?

paudie2005

Otis_taylor2 wrote: »

Hi all,

I would like some advice on current situation on a new bike purchased, and suggestions for an entry level road bike.

I had recently bought aTriban 500 from Decathlon and im not very happy with it.
The chainset was rattling and the chain almost skipped twice on the first run. It was also quite difficult to shift gears on the front using micro-shifters. I would like to return it as i'm not very pleased with it.

- Frame size

My height is 5'6.5"and i got the 51cm frame, which i'm not sure now was the correct choice. I believe a 52 or 53 would be the right frame size for me, but the triban only comes in 51 or 54. I didn't want to go for the 54 since it may be a bit too big for me.

- 650c vs 700c.

I went for the 650c wheel after reading a bit about it online, about the benefits of a 650c wheel for a small rider, but i'm not sure if i'd fall in that category. Are there significant benefits to using a 650c over a 700c?

1) So should i get a 54 frame with 700c?

2) what other entry level bikes would i get for a Budget of under 400?

Is the Carerra Zelos 2015a good bike compared to the Btwin or should i go for the Btwin SE 500

What other entry level bikes are in the market for 400?
or should i just fix the Btwin i have myself and stick with it.

I wouldn't prefer the second hand route as its quite a hassle. I just need a decent entry level bike and would like to start cycling.

With regard to the chain jumping - it may be just that its not fully setup correctly. I'm assuming you've bought it at a shop and not online, have you contacted them about it to see can they check the setup? It may be just a matter of tweaking cable tension.

Frame size - it's all dependent on the geometry. Why not try what you have for the moment and see how it feels. If your in the shop why not sit up on one of the 54" frames and see how it feels. I'm an inch taller than you and use 52" frames.

If I were in your shoes I wouldn't go changing to the other two bikes you mentioned. They don't appear to offer much of an upgrade on what you have. I'd be inclined to stick with what I have, make sure I like cycling and then make a decent upgrade. Just my 2 cents

Buzwaldo

Agree with what Paudie said.
Don't have any triban experience myself, but they are generally considered the best quality at that price point.
If you cant bring it back to where you bought it (or even if you can, but they have an incompetent mechanic) you should pop down to a local bike shop and ask them to look at the gearing etc - as mentioned, probably needs a small adjustment.
Personally I ride a 52 cm bike, and I'm about 5'9".
Bit confused re the 650 wheel - most are 700, even down to that sized bike and smaller. But it really isn't worth changing bike over it - just means you have less choice looking for new tyres or wheel upgrades.
I'd say get it fettled and stick with it.

Otis_taylor2

Thanks Pauldie and Buzwaldo.

I got the bike online from decathlon so returns would be to their shop in belfast,

sorry i didnt add that the 51 frame comes with a 650 wheel.

should i get the 700 wheel then? just realised the 700 wheel will not fit a 51 frame

brownian

I'd suggest you get your LBS to check out the chain skipping. They might give you a quick informal fit too, just in case you obviously need a longer stem, or to move your seat up or back a little, if the frame is a wee bit small on you. In general, if you;re between two sizes, you go smaller, as it's easier to make a bike 'bigger' by adding stem, etc., than 'smaller', with a hacksaw.

Ride what you got - if you like it, save up... seriously better bikes start around the 999 euro mark.

Just my 2 cent.

triggermortis

Just to echo what's already been said, I'd get the gears checked either by Decathlon or a local shop - should only be a few minutes job - and ride what you have. You'll be hard pushed to get a better (new) bike at that price and all the reviews look favourable

Otis_taylor2

brownian wrote: »

In general, if you;re between two sizes, you go smaller, as it's easier to make a bike 'bigger' by adding stem, etc., than 'smaller', with a hacksaw.

You are right. I read that here somewhere and thats why i went for the 51.

I agree good bikes would start at that price mark.

Otis_taylor2

Thanks guys for all the input. Guess i'll just get it to a LBS, get fix it and get a better one next time.

overall not very happy though..I have some serious bad luck with buying bikes :pac:

Lumen

Otis_taylor2 wrote: »

Thanks guys for all the input. Guess i'll just get it to a LBS, get fix it and get a better one next time.

There's probably nothing wrong with it that 5 minutes of tinkering won't sort out.

Even expensive bikes can be set up badly (like when I build them at 2am whilst drinking beer, for instance).