Carrera Zelos or B'TWIN Triban 100? Budget £250

GothicGhost

GothicGhost

GothicGhost

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Looking for something cheapish to get back on the bike as I sold my MTB last year :(
So I'm after a road bike this time as I got health problems, so no off road stuff for me lol.

I did have the Btwin rockrider before and that was very good for £120.

Not sure what to get now out of the two in title or any other suggestions welcome :)
http://www.halfords.com/cycling/bikes/road-bikes/carrera-zelos-mens-road-bike

https://www.decathlon.co.uk/triban-100-road-bike-id_8377732.html

And adding this in in case the position of riding a road bike hurts my back more.
Going to halfords tomorrow to do a little test.
https://www.decathlon.co.uk/riverside-500-hybrid-bike-dark-grey-id_8379020.html#

Thank you.
 
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I know Triban from Decathalon are well regarded at the budget end of the market. I think I'm right in saying that this particular triban has microshift gears not the shimanos found on the Carrera.

I'm sure someone with more knowledge will be able to tell you which one.
 
So sizing on a road bike is probably more important than a mountain bike or hybrid, but could be doubly so if you have health issues relating to the stress of off roading. These bikes have pretty limited sizes listed as in stock, so it'll be a matter of luck really. The Triban comes with wider tyres which I'd say are a plus for comfort and absorbing road vibrations, but honestly the handlebar shifting mechanism the Triban uses is going to be so inconvenient that I'd probably recommend the Carrera over it spec wise. Tourney isn't the most well regarded groupset, but at least all of the controls are to hand. It has a better range of gears as well, with the compact chainset and what looks like a lack of a "granny gear". If you did go for the Zelos, I'd look into getting some 28c tyres of it's got clearance for them.

You don't really want suspension on a hybrid, especially cheap suspension.
 
Thank you both.

I went into halfords today and tested some bikes and I think the hybrid is the way to go for me.
I was put off buying anything from that store as the guy serving was borderline rude.

The 22inch frame on the Carrera Subway 1 was a good size for me.
http://www.halfords.com/cycling/bik...vc:c|adp:1o1&gclid=CKHB0u3m4tQCFWi17QodYt0MNg

On decathlon site I like the riverside 500
https://www.decathlon.co.uk/riverside-500-hybrid-bike-dark-grey-id_8379020.html

Some others I have seen.
Python Lean 2015 Mens Bike.
https://www.winstanleysbikes.co.uk/product/53010/Python_Lean_2015_Mens_Bike

Ridgeback Motion 2016.
https://www.winstanleysbikes.co.uk/product/79466/Ridgeback_Motion_2016_Mens_Bike

Thank you.
 
How tall are you? 22" frames are typically for people well over 6'. And if that's the case, then your issue with the road bikes could well have been the sizing, since they only have smaller frames listed. Unfortunately, short of spending a bit more on a Triban 500 SE or similar there's not really much to be done about that.

Hybrids depend a lot on the sort of riding you're going to be doing. If you're looking to do long distance road riding with more of an upright position, that's quite a different bike to if you want to do short around town riding or have the versatility to cope well on gravel, dirt or other light off road surfaces.
 
I am 6 foot tall and I mostly wanted a hybrid as I can go on gravel and dirt roads as well.
Don't want to be restricted to just roads if I buy a road bike.

But been read I can change to cyclocross tires and go on gravel and dirt roads with a road bike?
Thanks.
 
Then yeah, you'd need much larger than a 54cm road bike. Cyclocross tyres are very capable, but as for putting them on a road bike it depends on the clearances of the frame. Most road bikes these days can fit 28c tyres, but probably not much above. The Triban 100 already has 32c tyres, so could be a good shout if you want to go down that route and don't mind the gear setup that much - but again they only list S and M being in stock, and you're probably borderline M/L so it depends on whether your local store has any other sizes to try.

Have you considered second hand at all?
 
GothicGhost said:
I am 6 foot tall and I mostly wanted a hybrid as I can go on gravel and dirt roads as well.
Don't want to be restricted to just roads if I buy a road bike.

But been read I can change to cyclocross tires and go on gravel and dirt roads with a road bike?
Thanks.
Click to expand...

A new trend is for a gravel style bike which is suited to rougher terrain but, isn't much of a compromise on the road.
 
I like the idea of a road bike to go on some dirt track but I think for my budget I should get a hybrid?

The carrera subway 1 in 22 frame was a good size but I did not like the bike itself.
Going to decathlon next weekend and try the hybrids.
 
I'm probably the worst person to ask as I enjoy the appreciable speed that a road bike provides. I couldn't imagine riding a bike without drops anymore.
 
I do like the drop bars but the upright position hurts less for my back.

Got some on short list unless anyone got other suggestions :)

Dawes Mirage 2017 Mens Bike
https://www.winstanleysbikes.co.uk/product/77110/Dawes_Mirage_2017_Mens_Bike

Carrera Subway 1 Mens
http://www.halfords.com/cycling/bik...vc:c|adp:1o1&gclid=CKHB0u3m4tQCFWi17QodYt0MNg

B'TWIN Riverside 500 Hybrid
https://www.decathlon.co.uk/riverside-500-hybrid-bike-dark-grey-id_8379020.html

Dawes Discovery Trail 2017 Hybrid Bik
https://www.evanscycles.com/dawes-discovery-trail-2017-hybrid-bike-EV301800

Thank you for any advice.
 
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