First Real Ride on Triban 5 - Puncture!
Discussion
I finally got my Triban 5 out on the road today (did a quick 8 miles back in Feb) and did my usual 27 mile circuit.
I was around 13 miles out, just been passed by 2 guys all lycra'd up so thought i'd try and tag onto the back of them for a minute - must have been sitting over 30mph when I hit a pothole and heard a bang then hiss - flat front tyre
Luckily I had a spare tube with me and I got it changed and back on my way in 15 mins or so (been a few years since I changed a tyre!!).
Anyway, I got back home (after the return journey into a headwind) without any further excitement.
I really enjoyed the ride but think I want to upgrade the standard tyres my Triban came with.
Looking around, lots of different opinions - my current thinking is for some Vittoria Rubino Pros in blue to match the bike
- http://www.wiggle.co.uk/vittoria-rubino-pro-foldin...
Anyone got any experience of these?
Anything better for the money?
Is it worth moving up to 25c from 23c? Will it make much difference to a)comfort and b)puncture resistance?
I am also looking at changing the standard saddle for a Charge Spoon - http://www.wiggle.co.uk/charge-spoon-saddle-with-c... as my @rse doesn't get on with the one provided - again, any comments?
Overall though, I loved it - can see it being a good bit quicker than my Ridgeback Velocity hybrid once my fitness levels increase again.
I was around 13 miles out, just been passed by 2 guys all lycra'd up so thought i'd try and tag onto the back of them for a minute - must have been sitting over 30mph when I hit a pothole and heard a bang then hiss - flat front tyre
Luckily I had a spare tube with me and I got it changed and back on my way in 15 mins or so (been a few years since I changed a tyre!!).
Anyway, I got back home (after the return journey into a headwind) without any further excitement.
I really enjoyed the ride but think I want to upgrade the standard tyres my Triban came with.
Looking around, lots of different opinions - my current thinking is for some Vittoria Rubino Pros in blue to match the bike
- http://www.wiggle.co.uk/vittoria-rubino-pro-foldin...Anyone got any experience of these?
Anything better for the money?
Is it worth moving up to 25c from 23c? Will it make much difference to a)comfort and b)puncture resistance?
I am also looking at changing the standard saddle for a Charge Spoon - http://www.wiggle.co.uk/charge-spoon-saddle-with-c... as my @rse doesn't get on with the one provided - again, any comments?
Overall though, I loved it - can see it being a good bit quicker than my Ridgeback Velocity hybrid once my fitness levels increase again.
IGood to hear you're getting on with the bike, I have a Triban 7 which has served me extremely well as my first pepper road bike, think I've covered 4,000 Kms on it. Which hopefully qualifies me to suggest that...
... You're mixing cause and effect. The tyres weren't the weak link in the lead up to the puncture, you hit a pothole. Perhaps the pressure could have been higher, perhaps you could have stood up and taken some of the weight off, but any sort of tire could have still led to a pinch flat in that scenario.
Does the 5 come with Hutchison's?
Re: the saddle, I went the same route as you and bought a charge spoon after a couple of rides. Tbh when I compared them they were a similar shape and experience now suggests that it was more my ar$e that wasn't used to hours on a bike at the time, but I never have the btwin saddle a chance.. Since I've bought my new bike, I've had to get my buttocks used to a slim Fi:zi'k Arione CX, which is giving my nuts a good battering. Hopefully it is just a matter of time though.
New wheels transformed my bike, I picked up a pair of Mavic Kysriums which were great.
... You're mixing cause and effect. The tyres weren't the weak link in the lead up to the puncture, you hit a pothole. Perhaps the pressure could have been higher, perhaps you could have stood up and taken some of the weight off, but any sort of tire could have still led to a pinch flat in that scenario.
Does the 5 come with Hutchison's?
Re: the saddle, I went the same route as you and bought a charge spoon after a couple of rides. Tbh when I compared them they were a similar shape and experience now suggests that it was more my ar$e that wasn't used to hours on a bike at the time, but I never have the btwin saddle a chance.. Since I've bought my new bike, I've had to get my buttocks used to a slim Fi:zi'k Arione CX, which is giving my nuts a good battering. Hopefully it is just a matter of time though.
New wheels transformed my bike, I picked up a pair of Mavic Kysriums which were great.
AmiableChimp said:
I finally got my Triban 5 out on the road today (did a quick 8 miles back in Feb) and did my usual 27 mile circuit.
I was around 13 miles out, just been passed by 2 guys all lycra'd up so thought i'd try and tag onto the back of them for a minute - must have been sitting over 30mph when I hit a pothole and heard a bang then hiss - flat front tyre
Luckily I had a spare tube with me and I got it changed and back on my way in 15 mins or so (been a few years since I changed a tyre!!).
Anyway, I got back home (after the return journey into a headwind) without any further excitement.
I really enjoyed the ride but think I want to upgrade the standard tyres my Triban came with.
Looking around, lots of different opinions - my current thinking is for some Vittoria Rubino Pros in blue to match the bike - http://www.wiggle.co.uk/vittoria-rubino-pro-foldin...
Anyone got any experience of these?
Anything better for the money?
Is it worth moving up to 25c from 23c? Will it make much difference to a)comfort and b)puncture resistance?
I am also looking at changing the standard saddle for a Charge Spoon - http://www.wiggle.co.uk/charge-spoon-saddle-with-c... as my @rse doesn't get on with the one provided - again, any comments?
Overall though, I loved it - can see it being a good bit quicker than my Ridgeback Velocity hybrid once my fitness levels increase again.
As arcticnick says, the situation you describe leading to the puncture doesn't point to the tyres being the weak link in this case. Pinch flats caused by impact affect the tube more than the tyre. More air pressure may have helped, or a bunny hop over the hole. Best bet, though, is to keep looking up the road, so you can plan a route around obvious problems, but that won't help you to improve the tyres on your bike.I was around 13 miles out, just been passed by 2 guys all lycra'd up so thought i'd try and tag onto the back of them for a minute - must have been sitting over 30mph when I hit a pothole and heard a bang then hiss - flat front tyre
Luckily I had a spare tube with me and I got it changed and back on my way in 15 mins or so (been a few years since I changed a tyre!!).
Anyway, I got back home (after the return journey into a headwind) without any further excitement.
I really enjoyed the ride but think I want to upgrade the standard tyres my Triban came with.
Looking around, lots of different opinions - my current thinking is for some Vittoria Rubino Pros in blue to match the bike
- http://www.wiggle.co.uk/vittoria-rubino-pro-foldin...Anyone got any experience of these?
Anything better for the money?
Is it worth moving up to 25c from 23c? Will it make much difference to a)comfort and b)puncture resistance?
I am also looking at changing the standard saddle for a Charge Spoon - http://www.wiggle.co.uk/charge-spoon-saddle-with-c... as my @rse doesn't get on with the one provided - again, any comments?
Overall though, I loved it - can see it being a good bit quicker than my Ridgeback Velocity hybrid once my fitness levels increase again.
You pose the question of experience with the Vittoria Rubino Pro tyres. I had them fitted as OE by Merida when I bought my bike in 2010, but they weren't the folding kind. The performance of the tyre may also have improved since I had them. But. The non folding Rubino Pros I had were terrible. I really didn't get on with them at all. Very prone to punctures, and lacking any grip in the wet. I ended up shivering and wet, stuck by the side of unlit rural roads a couple of times, replacing tubes with numb fingers, and went down on a couple of occasions when the front wheel just 'washed out' without warning at junctions. I wouldn't recommend them at all, but that's just one persons experience. Others may have better tales to tell.
What would I recommend? Continental Grand Prix 4Seasons every time. The drawback is that they are more expensive than the Vittorias, and to be fair you did ask "Anything better for the money?" and I presume you meant the same, or similar money. I can't help you there, as I haven't bought replacement tyres at that price level, unless they've been reduced 'promotional prices' on normally more expensive rubber.
In between the Rubino Pros and the 4Seasons, I first tried Continental's Gatorskins, but again I didn't like the ride quality or the handling characteristics. I then went to Schwalbe Ultremo R1s (they are strictly a 'summer' tyre
) and although I loved them for the ride quality and grip, they do have a significant weakness, in that they cut up quite badly (personal experience), and the sidewalls are prone to failure (not in my case, but plenty of anecdotal evidence, both here on PedalPowered, and on the wider internet).TL;DR? To summarise: Buy Continental GrandPrix 4Seasons, and you won't regret it. But they can be expensive, so try to buy when they are on promotion. And it's definitely worth moving to 25 x 700c from the 23mm width.
I cannot help with advice on the Spoon saddle, as I've always been lucky, and got on OK with whatever's been fitted by the manufacturer to my bikes.
I use Conti 4 Seasons in winter for their puncture resistance rather than grip, which I assume to be minimal on any road tyre
In summer along with most of my pals I use either Conti Grand Prix 4000 or Michelin Pro Race 3 (or 4) depending on which ever is on special at any of the usual suspects, they all roll a lot better and I mind fixing punctures a lot less when the suns out
Good luck
PS as agreed it sounds like you had a pinch flat, not fair to blame the tyres
Just another voice echoing what's been said so far.
Having gone to 25c from 23s I'll not go back. The difference in ride quality is huge over anything but perfectly smooth roads - don't know about you but those probably account for a percentage point of my mileage.
I'm a huge fan of 4 seasons. I've tried Gators, the 25s are better than the 23s but either way they have very little wet grip and feel greasy compared to the 4seasons.
The rubino pros are definitely good tyres, I've got a set but haven't put massive mileage on them but they grip nicely and roll well - plus they look good :-)
Personal vote, 4 seasons all the way. The roll well, they grip and they seem to resist punctures well (in my experience). On a 30 or 40 mph+ descent I want as much confidence as possible that I've got grip and the 4seasons I have faith in.
Having gone to 25c from 23s I'll not go back. The difference in ride quality is huge over anything but perfectly smooth roads - don't know about you but those probably account for a percentage point of my mileage.
I'm a huge fan of 4 seasons. I've tried Gators, the 25s are better than the 23s but either way they have very little wet grip and feel greasy compared to the 4seasons.
The rubino pros are definitely good tyres, I've got a set but haven't put massive mileage on them but they grip nicely and roll well - plus they look good :-)
Personal vote, 4 seasons all the way. The roll well, they grip and they seem to resist punctures well (in my experience). On a 30 or 40 mph+ descent I want as much confidence as possible that I've got grip and the 4seasons I have faith in.
Recently gone through the same with my Triban 5, although replacing the tyres was due to destroying the original ones on the turbo over the winter.
Went for 23mm Conti GP4000s, not had a chance to ride them much since I changed them but the feel nicer and have more grip than the originals.
I've also changed to the Charge Spoon and find it more comfortable than the original one, slightly more padding and softer materials. But I also changed the position of it slightly so that might be having some effect on the perceived comfort difference.
Went for 23mm Conti GP4000s, not had a chance to ride them much since I changed them but the feel nicer and have more grip than the originals.
I've also changed to the Charge Spoon and find it more comfortable than the original one, slightly more padding and softer materials. But I also changed the position of it slightly so that might be having some effect on the perceived comfort difference.
I have the Triban 5 white which I bought last year, and my first change was the tyres, which I changed to Michelin Pro 4s but I wasn't impressed with them. I decided to look into wheels as these are the Achilles heel on the B'Twin models and opted for Campag Zondas and fitted them with Schwalbe Luganos. Coincidentally I also hit a pothole on Friday just going into a shaded bit of downhill road at over 30mph and punctured both tubes. Luckily I had 2 spares with me.
Anyway, the combination of the wheels and tyres is excellent on that bike and really transforms it. I have covered about 1000 miles on these tyres and wheels and can count on one hand the punctures I have had. As above, best to avoid rough surfaces, or if not try shifting weight or bunny hop over them.
Anyway, the combination of the wheels and tyres is excellent on that bike and really transforms it. I have covered about 1000 miles on these tyres and wheels and can count on one hand the punctures I have had. As above, best to avoid rough surfaces, or if not try shifting weight or bunny hop over them.
Ok.. we seem to be getting down to personal preferences on tyres. No offence to the OP, but it's an entry-ish bike, and the OP is just back to cycling. The fine differences between a Pro4 and a GP4000 is perhaps not the most relevant consideration?
Bottom line - I don't know what tyres are on it, they're most likely a bit budget, but perfectly solid.
IMHO, I've gone from 23's to 25's and back, barely noticed a difference.
What you had was a pinch flat. Generally it's better to avoid the potholes if you can, but equally I've smacked into the odd one hard enough to make me wonder how come the fork is still there without flatting, and I've hit one I barely noticed, but it blew. Partially the luck of the draw, but you should be running something around 90-100psi in a modern 23mm road tyre. If you've not ridden in ages, I'd rather suspect you just need more pressure.
WRT saddles, it's worth trying the spoon simply because it's cheap - only way to really know is to ride it for a bit. I've had one on my bike for 18 months, rated it, but of late my rear is falling out of love with the thing and I'm looking for something different. It's quite firm, but then most OEM saddles are far too soft..
Bottom line - I don't know what tyres are on it, they're most likely a bit budget, but perfectly solid.
IMHO, I've gone from 23's to 25's and back, barely noticed a difference.
What you had was a pinch flat. Generally it's better to avoid the potholes if you can, but equally I've smacked into the odd one hard enough to make me wonder how come the fork is still there without flatting, and I've hit one I barely noticed, but it blew. Partially the luck of the draw, but you should be running something around 90-100psi in a modern 23mm road tyre. If you've not ridden in ages, I'd rather suspect you just need more pressure.
WRT saddles, it's worth trying the spoon simply because it's cheap - only way to really know is to ride it for a bit. I've had one on my bike for 18 months, rated it, but of late my rear is falling out of love with the thing and I'm looking for something different. It's quite firm, but then most OEM saddles are far too soft..
Edited by upsidedownmark on Tuesday 22 April 15:51
Thanks folks.
I think my first purchase is going to be a track pump - obviously my wee hand pump isn't up to the job of putting enough pressure in!
I've had a look around but a lot of retailers out of stock of the tyres i'm looking at (25 wide, either Vittoria Pro with blue/black or 4 Seasons).
I'll run the standard tyres for a wee bit longer, probably carry 2 spare tubes instead of the 1 and try and avoid potholes (have you seen the roads around Edinburgh?!).
Thanks for the advice, and Bedford Rascal, apologies if my amazing straightline speed offends
I think my first purchase is going to be a track pump - obviously my wee hand pump isn't up to the job of putting enough pressure in!
I've had a look around but a lot of retailers out of stock of the tyres i'm looking at (25 wide, either Vittoria Pro with blue/black or 4 Seasons).
I'll run the standard tyres for a wee bit longer, probably carry 2 spare tubes instead of the 1 and try and avoid potholes (have you seen the roads around Edinburgh?!).
Thanks for the advice, and Bedford Rascal, apologies if my amazing straightline speed offends
I wouldn't bother with two tubes - lob one of these in instead: http://www.wiggle.co.uk/lezyne-lever-patch-kit/
Decent self adhesive patches are wonderful things. A tiny kit like this will be smaller and lighter than a second tube and will keep you going long after your supply of tubes would have been exhausted.
Decent self adhesive patches are wonderful things. A tiny kit like this will be smaller and lighter than a second tube and will keep you going long after your supply of tubes would have been exhausted.
Mr Will said:
I wouldn't bother with two tubes - lob one of these in instead: http://www.wiggle.co.uk/lezyne-lever-patch-kit/
Decent self adhesive patches are wonderful things. A tiny kit like this will be smaller and lighter than a second tube and will keep you going long after your supply of tubes would have been exhausted.
Half the time you don't even bother with one tube Decent self adhesive patches are wonderful things. A tiny kit like this will be smaller and lighter than a second tube and will keep you going long after your supply of tubes would have been exhausted.
Jobbo said:
I've been contemplating changing my saddle for a Spoon, but I've read that the stitched seams can wear through your lycra rather quickly. I'll probably get a Scoop instead.
?? Done about 5000 miles on a spoon with no noticeable deterioration of the shorts - I'd just go for whatever fits... and no, a hand pump isn't up to the job. You should also go *even* faster with a sensible amount of air in the tyres
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