New Bike Advice

Even Claris now has cables under the bar tape and has the same shape/appearance as Tiagra/105/Ultegra and even the chainsets are now external BB/hollowtech 2 style. Don't know if Decathlon go as low as Claris.

Out of the box, I am very impressed, and usually I wouldn't go lower than 105. But for commuting Claris seems spot on, so long as I don't want to swap kit between my 105/Ultegra equipped bikes.

Looking at the DEcathlon site, it seesm like the carbon road frameset (Ultra CF) is £999, but the same frameset built up to a full 105 bike is ony £400 more expensive? I am presuming it's the same frameset for both as advertised frame and fork weights are exactly the same.

£400 for 105 groupset, wheels and finishing kit? Why would anyone buy the frameset on it's own?

If you can afford it, go for the btwin af with the ultegra groupset. Its a much better bike overall in terms of kit and build. In fact its a complete steal. Get this years version though, not the one with the brake underneath the rear. And make sure decathlon dont assemble it for you, unless you dont mind loose fixings.

The 900 AF is a very good bike. I have a 720AF, and it’s been an amazing servant. Don’t forget, you get a lifetime frame and forks warranty from Decathlon with that bike as well.

Did you know the most important part of bike maintenance is understanding how to look after your chain? We explain how to maintain your chain and the rest of your bike in this handy blog post. https://www.probiketool.com/us/the-four-fundamentals-of-basic-bike-maint...

There's a couple of bike shops offloading full carbon branded 10 speed bikes (5700) from a couple of years ago for £500-550, one was a corratec, the other a bottechia. If frame size suited, flog the drivetrain and upgrade, that said I never found 5700 wanting to be honest, not epic but a good workhorse every day group you can rely on. You could sell a 105 pull off group for £200, that leaves you a ton of money to buy what you want.

Read this RoadCC article - Head to head: Shimano Tiagra v Shimano 105 R7000

https://road.cc/content/buyers-guide/210617-head-head-shimano-tiagra-v-s...

I've got the carbon Boardman and it's a cracking bike for the money. Yes it's Tiagra, but it works really well. Do consider swapping at least the brake pads out though.

I've not ridden the 900AF so, like Duncann, I'd obviously recommend a test ride of both, but given the money is in the frame for the Boardman I would probably suggest the 900AF if you don't intend to upgrade components over time (e.g. when they wear out), the 8.9c if you do.

New Tribans

https://road.cc/content/tech-news/237871-sneak-peek-decathlons-2019-disc...

Due in store any day now. Sora or 105 groups, both an upgrade over the Microshift, and better wheels too.

I heard that Decathlon is dropping the Btwin name and releasing new bikes in early October (so any day now...) could be worth waiting a week or two to see what they are?