First time bike advice

rossk26 · 20 Aug 2013 at 16:16

Hello,
I'm looking at getting into road cycling. And I've found the bike I want http://www.decathlon.co.uk/triban-5-road-bike-black-id_8239801.html

However with no store local to me, I'm a bit anxious about buying the bike online, and not having somewhere to take it to if anything went wrong.

Also, ideally I'd like to get the bike through a C2W scheme, but my current employer don't have anything set up. Is there a likelihood I could talk them into it?

Thanks

Mr Jones · 20 Aug 2013 at 16:34

Speak to your HR department and see if they can do something about it. By the way, C2W don't work with Decathlon AFAIK.

If it's your first bike, my suggestion is go to your local store to try and see what they recommend. Buying your first bike online and risking it if the size isn't expected, or setup right can put you off riding it.

The Triban 5 is a step up from the well priced and raved Triban 3 (Red only!). If you can't get the C2W scheme, perhaps the Triban 3 is an option, if you're willing to travel to the local store to see if they have your size / buy.

Good luck

rossk26 · 20 Aug 2013 at 16:47

Thanks for the info.

We don't have an HR department! I work at a GP practice.

I found a website that lists Decathlon in their stores which you can buy from http://www.cyclescheme.co.uk/partners/store/DECAT003. I'll be in Manchester in October so could try the bike out while I'm there. Other than that it would be a long trip to Sheffield which is my "local" store.

Mr Jones · 20 Aug 2013 at 16:52

Would you be considered working for NHS? Perhaps through that you can get C2W type of scheme?

And I can't beieve Decathalon is on Cyclescheme, tried searching for it when I was looking, found nawt. Settled for Evans instead, oh well...

#Chri5# · 20 Aug 2013 at 18:10

rossk26 said:
Thanks for the info.

We don't have an HR department! I work at a GP practice.

I found a website that lists Decathlon in their stores which you can buy from http://www.cyclescheme.co.uk/partners/store/DECAT003. I'll be in Manchester in October so could try the bike out while I'm there. Other than that it would be a long trip to Sheffield which is my "local" store.

The company I work for is small (~20 staff) and I was the only person interested in C2W. My bike came direct from Planet-X - I ordered it on the company credit card

They have some information here and a few notes on direct payment by an employer here.

Can you speak to who runs your payroll (assuming it's not outsourced)?

rossk26 · 21 Aug 2013 at 07:40

Mr Jones said:
Would you be considered working for NHS? Perhaps through that you can get C2W type of scheme?

And I can't beieve Decathalon is on Cyclescheme, tried searching for it when I was looking, found nawt. Settled for Evans instead, oh well...

I don't work for the NHS otherwise that would have been ideal. I get paid by the GP's!

I will speak to the manager and see if we can sign up for a C2W scheme. There are a couple GP's really keen on cycling so I'm sure they'll be all for it.

Also the distance issue? Should I not be put off by this. I'd obviously take a trip to try the bike out and get the right size, and have it fitted. But if anything were to go wrong, it would be a pain travelling that distance to get it sorted out...

Saytan · 21 Aug 2013 at 08:40

I cant imagine decathlon being much cop for servicing and repairs anyway. You'll probably just have to bite the bullet and cough up at your local bike shop.

arknor · 21 Aug 2013 at 08:59

rossk26 said:
However with no store local to me, I'm a bit anxious about buying the bike online, and not having somewhere to take it to if anything went wrong.

no bike stores at all? it doesn't matter where you buy it from any local bike store will service it or do repairs for you they wont do it for free but neither would anywhere else even if you bought the bike from them

rossk26 · 21 Aug 2013 at 13:49

Ah cool, I thought there may have been some level of aftercare once I had bought the bike!

I'm sold on the Triban 5, it looks lovely and for the price is there anything better?

touch · 21 Aug 2013 at 14:18

rossk26 said:
I'm sold on the Triban 5, it looks lovely and for the price is there anything better?

Nope, it's the best value for money at that price range.

Bike maintenance isnt really that difficult. There are a lot of videos on youtube and other sites that explain how to do everything. Some things need a bit of patience and you'll need to get a few new tools for some jobs but even with the price of the tools it's still cheaper than going to a bike shop (especially if the shop is miles away).

rossk26 · 21 Aug 2013 at 14:28

Hopefully I can get this C2W scheme set up. If not I'll still buy the bike, just wanted to save a few £££ and spread the cost.

arknor · 21 Aug 2013 at 14:35

rossk26 said:
Ah cool, I thought there may have been some level of aftercare once I had bought the bike!

I'm sold on the Triban 5, it looks lovely and for the price is there anything better?

well most places do a free service after a few weeks but all they really do is check the brake and gear cables are still tensioned right and you can easily adjust that with the barrel adjusters anyway.

if your brakes and gear levers have barrel looking wheel things on them don't think they are supposed to be all the way tight

they just change the tension on the cables