Full carbon road bike with Shimano 105 £850
Discussion
I was looking at these in store last week. I love Decathlon clothing, all my stuff is 300 for commuting and 700/900 for weekend riding. Bike reviews on their website though seem to be a mixed bag. I think at my level, I'd find nothing wrong with the bike at all, but maybe an experienced rider could pick faults at it.
Thanks for views.
Well I've taken the plunge. Moving up from a 12 speed with downtube shifters (ok, via one of decathlon's finest red triban 300s) I'm expecting this to feel like it's from 50 years in the future. I'm also ditching the toeclips (at least on this and the triban).
It all started with the "full carbon for less than £400" a few months ago... (which I missed out on).
Well I've taken the plunge. Moving up from a 12 speed with downtube shifters (ok, via one of decathlon's finest red triban 300s) I'm expecting this to feel like it's from 50 years in the future. I'm also ditching the toeclips (at least on this and the triban).
It all started with the "full carbon for less than £400" a few months ago... (which I missed out on).
ndg said:
Well, I am convinced. They look like a nice firm to do business with, as well.I know what you mean about the frames ( ironically they look like they are from "the planet X"!), but that was part of the appeal. I like the traditional horizontal top tube and racier geometry over the triban. The blurb I've read suggests it's not built for comfort, and so should sit along side the triban nicely. My triban is a (large, comfort-oriented) 62 so I went for a 59 with the 700.
Planet X looks good too but geometry more similar to triban?
Planet X looks good too but geometry more similar to triban?
It's arrived. All I've done so far is take out of the box to check for damage. Bear in mind my frames of reference are an '89 531-framed bitsa and a '12 triban 300.
First impression is WOW. Frame is indeed from outer space. Good quality, flawless finish and beautiful detailing in the flesh. Finishing kit and groupset (actually it's nota 105 crank) match the bike well. Internal cable routing is neat.
Only criticism so far is downright stupid packaging of shoes, cleats and a puffa jacket (unprotected) in the bike box. Could easily have ended up with damage.
I'll try and build it tonight.
First impression is WOW. Frame is indeed from outer space. Good quality, flawless finish and beautiful detailing in the flesh. Finishing kit and groupset (actually it's nota 105 crank) match the bike well. Internal cable routing is neat.
Only criticism so far is downright stupid packaging of shoes, cleats and a puffa jacket (unprotected) in the bike box. Could easily have ended up with damage.
I'll try and build it tonight.
rdjohn said:
ndg said:
Well, I am convinced. They look like a nice firm to do business with, as well.Today was my first opportunity to get it out of the box and get the pedals and bars on. Wow, I am very impressed. The bike looks great in 3D and having watched a few videos online, I quickly managed to adjust it into the relaxed position that I need at age 63.
It is about 5kg lighter than my 20 year old Ridgeback hybrid but over the very short distance I have ridden it feels like moving from a Mondeo to a race car. Having read so many threads saying that a 105 gear sets was a minimum requirement, I did think that I may have made a mistake, but compared to handle bar levers combined with a poorly maintained bike generally, the Tiagra simply seems superb.
It will be next April before I get the bike back to my home in France and able to start getting some real enjoyment from it, but my first impressions are very positive. I only hope that I can improve to realise it's potential.
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