Hello guys, I would like to start trying a road bicycle and I have been seeing that Decathlon , as always, is having very competitive prices in the market. I am truly a beginner, so I do not need anything super-profi, yet I would like to get something comfortable enough to appreciate riding it and not getting depressed after few times. This , I believe, is in at the biggest risk I may face.
I saw that there are cheap models (gravel and /or basic road bikes) that I would exclude, mainly because of weight and lack of proper speed selector (only 8 in the back, making complex , for example, going to the mountains).
I saw the triban 120 and the triban 520. They look both extremely interesting. 520 a bit more even for few franca more.
Anyone having any experience with his specific models or, more in general, with Decathlon 's bicycles?
On the other hand, I saw gonser.ch is proposing road bicycles for around 250-300 chf, so half price respect to decathlon. Even thaw they look like to have all 5 stars, when reading in details the customersā feedbacks, it seems they are pretty bad quality.
Anyone having tried them?
Last but not least, is there other suggestion in the 500-1000 chf price range (bicycle+pedals+shoes)?
Iāve never used Decathlon bikes, but many of their other products and all seem to be very good value for money while not being trash, so Iād expect their bikes to be similar.
In the end, road bikes are very simple machines so you have very quickly diminishing returns as you climb the exponential price curve.
Thereās plenty of people who will pay for a couple of grams shaved off here or there, but it is the same in many hobbies when people get fixated on equipment instead of the actual hobby.
For most people, spending more time training and losing kg on the body would be a better investment!
The RC120 looks great value on sale now for a few days more at 439 Fr.!
You could also look at specialist firms such as Canyon who make reasonbly priced carbon bikes. Of course, you can get great deals 2nd hand from people who spent a fortune on a fancy bike and then ended up hardly riding it!
Congratulations on deciding to take up this sport which is a great way to enjoy our beautiful countryside
The components on the triban 520 seem to be Shimano 105 which is very good.
I agree with Phil about people wasting fortunes optimising weight. As you mention mountains, both bikes are >10.8 kg, which is really heavy for for a road bike. If you are taking it up as a pastime I would suggest to invest in something at least 1.5 or 2kg lighter if you can afford it
Maybe you could rent a bike and climb a mountain before deciding. You will get an appreciation about weight and gravity very quickly
Triban 520 review (from flat UK - not Switzerland)
Its true, cycling gear had a large price increase over the years. The scarsity during covid drove everything way more expensive and prices remained after customer demaned waned.
Four things drive a bikes price (assuming new)
brand and model. Your percieved quality
drive components - groupset - shifters, chainring, cassette, crank, etc. Weight, performance, quality of life like double downshift, e-shifting, wireless, feel of shifters and placement, number of gears front/back, 1x11/12 or 2x9-12.
frame incl fork - carbon, what carbon, steel, alu. Shape and comfort.
Secondary components - wheels, saddle and post, handlebars, brackets etc This is where they skimp on most and hide details in specs, if available at all.
(e-bike stuff is fifth, but not applicable)
Dont get caught up in chasing the components game, thereās a reason road cycling is so strong with 40-60yo men with above average income as you can spend too much money for no real benefit. When comparing, you typically compare the main elements like frame construction and drive components. The savings are often hidden in more details, they state a 105 groupset but thatās really just shifters/levers, derauler and the rest like brakes and chainring is from 1-2 series worse series. Recommend to read a little about differences between groupsets and what they bring - practically only road/offroad shimano/sram, ignoring the top 2 completely.
The best thing to do, is really try the bike physically. The ergnomics must fit you and be adaptable to you. Sizing is hugely imporant. Little details like crank lenght can be adjusted at a shop. Saddle might be terrible (usually is) and you can swap to something better etc. And secondaly, you must like the color, also something you notice in person better. A pretty bike (to you) with worse specs is better than that better on paper, if you dont get the emotional attachment to it. Decathlon bikes are solid for their price and good tiers. Similarly the B2C etailer like (edited) Canyon are good value for money, have three in family myself. Can recommend the Endurace if road and Roadlite if flatbar hybrid, but might be pushing the budget. Remember bikes mostly dont come with pedals. Might see more sales in coming weeks, clearing last years models.
Depending you expectation and budget, you do not need to buy a new one at the beginning.
I ride an hopeRider decathlon bike since 2020, Iāve bought second hand for half the price you mentioned.
You may also find good deal in a local association that recycle and repair bikes. It has the benefit to free the road and parking from dismantles bikes and reduce the carbon impact from making a new bike.
In Geneva, you could visit la FourriĆØre a velo near Bouchet.
They provide decent service and have a wide offer depending on arrival.
Decatlon is cheap but the quality is not very good. If youāre looking for good $$/quality I would recommand a bike like āāCanyon Endurace CF 7āā (shimano group). Keep in mind that the average price for a road bike is 3k, It can go over 10k for the bests
Canyon is probably the mustachian choice. Direct to consumer model so cuts out the store and with German engineering. Philās suggestion looks a good one if you donāt want to invest in carbon
If you will go on rides weekly or more frequently the 10.8kg bike is a false economy in my view. You will end up buying a new bike
Get a used bike. Yes prices for new, āstate-of-the-artā bikes have gotten crazy, but at the same time previous-generation road bikes (11-speed, and especially rim brake equipped ones) are changing hands at huge discounts. People trying to sell such setups as NOS bikes are having a really hard time, even and particularly for high-end brands and models.
Figure out what size you need and Iāll be happy to point out some good deals on Ricardo.
I bought the Triban 520 Subcompact last year. I mainly use it for commuting.
In general, I am very satisfied. Itās for sure good value for money. Be aware that the tyres are 40mm wide, which is fine for gravel, but not ideal for paved roads.
Furthermore, I am struggling with climbing steep ascents, even though the crank is subcompact.
Unless you want to race, a Decathlon road bike works well and is durable.
Difference in weight is significant if you want to race, but for standard tours it does not make that much of a difference, you will end up doing the same tours with maybe a few minutes more.
I would suggest the one with the disc brakes though. It makes a significant difference in difficult conditions.
I got my gravel bike in 2021 and I am super happy with it (itās a Trek because nothing else was available back then). Since there are already many tips regarding the bike itself, I want to list some frugal advices regarding the hobby: (maybe some of them only applicable on gravel)
do not āover gearā - start with your current equipment you already have or use for other sports (e.g. shirts, bottles, glasses, gloves)
bike computer is not needed IMO - use you smartphone with the free version of Strava
use the routes from Schweiz Mobil map.veloland.ch so you do not have to waste time in planning and you can cycle by using the roadsigns
keep in mind that maintenance and spare parts (tyre, breaks, chain) cost money
I would say, Decathlon bikes are just fine. I bought the cheapest commuting bike at the time, 5y outside in all weathers, and it is still working just fine (with a 60CHF service every year because I am too lazy do to it myself).
Since I am thinking of doing a bike travel, I am looking sometimes for a trek bike, but only second hand. You can find crazy good bikes in good conditions there, for like half the price (the typical high earner who thought doing road biking would be something for them and bought some crazy shit, but in the end he discovered he does not like bikingā¦)
And you can still buy something cheaper and upgrade components later btw.
Thanks all for the feedbacks. Definitely interesting insights from each comment.
I eventually exaggerated saying I need to go on the mountainsā¦the classic hills on the Mittelland, eventually, at best the Jura.
I would like to climb the Alps, but I am definitely faraway to be able to even approach them
As a good mustachian, I would definitely take care of not over investing in something I have very pow probability to success. But I see your points. I know many guys that just spent over 10k to finally give it away for less than the half in less then 6 months and eventually put another 20k to buy a more comfortable bike.
1k is my psychological limit for the entire equipment. Better if less.
Is there anyone there having any idea on where a road bicycle could be eventually rent for a day? I could find many e#bike rent, but no road bike.
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