Cheap Entry Level Road Bike
06-23-20, 11:56 PM
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Cheap Entry Level Road Bike
Hello everyone!
I need an advice from the community on which road bike to choose.
I am just starting my road bike journey and I have a choice between two cheap entry level road bikes:
1) Decathlon Triban RC120 (rim brakes, carbon fork)
2) Giant Contend 3 (same rim brakes, but has front/back shimano breaking system)
Giant is slightly more expensive, but not sure If it's only because of the brand name or the quality.
Please help bike forum community!
I need an advice from the community on which road bike to choose.
I am just starting my road bike journey and I have a choice between two cheap entry level road bikes:
1) Decathlon Triban RC120 (rim brakes, carbon fork)
2) Giant Contend 3 (same rim brakes, but has front/back shimano breaking system)
Giant is slightly more expensive, but not sure If it's only because of the brand name or the quality.
Please help bike forum community!
06-24-20, 05:15 AM
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Hello everyone!
I need an advice from the community on which road bike to choose.
I am just starting my road bike journey and I have a choice between two cheap entry level road bikes:
1) Decathlon Triban RC120 (rim brakes, carbon fork)
2) Giant Contend 3 (same rim brakes, but has front/back shimano breaking system)
Giant is slightly more expensive, but not sure If it's only because of the brand name or the quality.
Please help bike forum community!
I need an advice from the community on which road bike to choose.
I am just starting my road bike journey and I have a choice between two cheap entry level road bikes:
1) Decathlon Triban RC120 (rim brakes, carbon fork)
2) Giant Contend 3 (same rim brakes, but has front/back shimano breaking system)
Giant is slightly more expensive, but not sure If it's only because of the brand name or the quality.
Please help bike forum community!
Ideally, the answer is try them and see which fits better. But assuming that you can't and that the price is about the same, it looks like it really boils down to a choice between the Contend's Claris shifters and derailleurs and the Triban's Microshift 2x8 drivetrain. Anyone have any experience with Microshift derailleurs?
06-24-20, 11:47 AM
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Posts moved from a different thread to its own thread so as not to get lost in the shuffle.
06-24-20, 01:58 PM
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I just made a purchase to move off my entry-level road bike, which was a contend 3, but I have the 2018 model. The 2020 doesn't look that much different. The contend 3 is a little lighter than the other one, if that matters to you.
I'd recommend the contend 3 to anyone who wants a cheap entry-level with the caveat that you're going to want to get better tires than what it comes with. Even my LBS mentioned that the tires were paper thin the first time I had to buy spare tubes for it and they did a tire inspection.
I don't know anything about the Triban, though.
I'd recommend the contend 3 to anyone who wants a cheap entry-level with the caveat that you're going to want to get better tires than what it comes with. Even my LBS mentioned that the tires were paper thin the first time I had to buy spare tubes for it and they did a tire inspection.
I don't know anything about the Triban, though.
06-24-20, 05:30 PM
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I'd think hard about the Triban with the carbon fork. Bike Radar had a very positive review on the bike.
It would be best though to ride both, especially to see what you think of the Giant with an aluminium fork.
It would be best though to ride both, especially to see what you think of the Giant with an aluminium fork.
Last edited by Wileyrat; 06-24-20 at 06:04 PM.
06-25-20, 05:33 AM
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Cheap Entry Level Road Bike What is your price range if I may ask? I have posted previously:
Just last night, my 30-year-old son asked me about buying a bike though he is welcome to use one of mine, in particular since there seems to be a current shortage of availability.
I asked him those questions about use and price that I would ask any potential buyer. He was set on riding paved roads, though I did suggest gravel riding as well, and he rejected that. I did wince to myself when he suggested his potential price range of $400.
It so happens that today I’m planing to go to my well-appointed bike shop, so I’ll check out the possiblilities.
PS: My son's bike will not be as it were, "entry level" for him.
Actually for a few years he rode my wife’s circa 1972 French Mercier road bike that we had used on a cross-country bicycle honeymoon.
...My shopping strategy for something important is to look at the high end (expensive) models first, just to know what’s available and then whittle downwards to find what’s acceptable, the so-called sweet spot of price/value.
I’ve participated in several popcorn threads on BF about the value of “expensive” bikes (I have one), and my last word is "At least I have no buyer's remorse about what I may be missing."
I’ve participated in several popcorn threads on BF about the value of “expensive” bikes (I have one), and my last word is "At least I have no buyer's remorse about what I may be missing."
Whenever I’m asked about buying a bike my questions are what do you want it for, and how much to spend?
IMO bikes of similar quality by brand names stratify in groups of about approximately $US 200 intervals [up about $1500-2000, then the price interval spreads widen.
IMO bikes of similar quality by brand names stratify in groups of about approximately $US 200 intervals [up about $1500-2000, then the price interval spreads widen.
Now here’s where I’m coming from. I have described myself as a decades-long, year-round lifestyle cyclist, and my favored bike is a high-end carbon fiber bike costing thousands of dollars..
I also have a aluminum beater road bike costing about $1500, and for me that was a minimal road bike, to be used in bad weather.
FWIW, I also have a Giant Escape hybrid bike that I recently bought for rehabilitation, because I was having trouble with my neck and shoulders riding the drop bars.
That bike cost about $600, and IMO was a good value as an all-round bike, certainly more amenable to off-road riding than my expensive carbon fiber road bike, and sturdy for my urban commute on the mean streets of Boston.
I also have a aluminum beater road bike costing about $1500, and for me that was a minimal road bike, to be used in bad weather.
FWIW, I also have a Giant Escape hybrid bike that I recently bought for rehabilitation, because I was having trouble with my neck and shoulders riding the drop bars.
That bike cost about $600, and IMO was a good value as an all-round bike, certainly more amenable to off-road riding than my expensive carbon fiber road bike, and sturdy for my urban commute on the mean streets of Boston.
I asked him those questions about use and price that I would ask any potential buyer. He was set on riding paved roads, though I did suggest gravel riding as well, and he rejected that. I did wince to myself when he suggested his potential price range of $400.
It so happens that today I’m planing to go to my well-appointed bike shop, so I’ll check out the possiblilities.
PS: My son's bike will not be as it were, "entry level" for him.
…My now-28 year old son was only perfunctorily interested in cycling, and was learning to drive at age 14. When he went to Ann Arbor (U of Michigan) for college in 2007 we bought him a used Schwinn road bike and he used it much while there, and for getting around Boston after he graduated….
I once took him [Mike] on a 25-mile charity ride as an adolescent, and it rained. He admitted it was a nice ride, even though it "sucked."
As a post adolescent, our only long (~20 mile) ride together was about five years ago. It was congenial, and he rode faster than me, though I complained he didn’t give me a chance to warm up, and he complained his derailleur wasn’t working right.
I once took him [Mike] on a 25-mile charity ride as an adolescent, and it rained. He admitted it was a nice ride, even though it "sucked."
As a post adolescent, our only long (~20 mile) ride together was about five years ago. It was congenial, and he rode faster than me, though I complained he didn’t give me a chance to warm up, and he complained his derailleur wasn’t working right.
Last edited by Jim from Boston; 06-25-20 at 07:40 AM. Reason: aded PS
06-25-20, 06:01 AM
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Ideally, the answer is try them and see which fits better. But assuming that you can't and that the price is about the same, it looks like it really boils down to a choice between the Contend's Claris shifters and derailleurs and the Triban's Microshift 2x8 drivetrain. Anyone have any experience with Microshift derailleurs?
OP, it's a toss up. Get the one that gives you the best feeling.
06-25-20, 12:52 PM
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I have Microshift groupsets (shifters, FD, and RD) on three bikes. I love them and have zero problems with them.
06-28-20, 02:07 PM
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What is your price? Cheap to you may not be cheap to others....you need to define cheap....
02-11-23, 11:41 AM
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Schwinn Discover Hybrid bike is wel known for is value for money. Schwinn Discover is a commuting bike that performs well on neighborhood rides. It is equipped with a front suspension system for comfort and easy pedaling. Looking for a budget hybrid then check this and spent a good 5 or so days (in my freetime) shopping online and at my local bike shop. Bought the Schwinn Discover because it dropped in price while in my cart to around $240.
Last edited by Doagner; 02-16-23 at 10:22 PM.
02-11-23, 11:58 AM
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If you can ride both go with the one that “feels better” and seems “easier” to ride. IMO the second consideration is color, do you like the paint job and think it looks neat? I doubt you will notice the difference in component quality, it’s very minor.
as for budget hybrids, they are also all the same, and you can get a decent one for 400-500 bucks
as for budget hybrids, they are also all the same, and you can get a decent one for 400-500 bucks
02-11-23, 12:01 PM
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What are your projected distances, fitness goals and road conditions?
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02-11-23, 02:07 PM
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I’m guessing the OP probably already got a bike.
