This High Street Entry Level Bike Surprised Us - Decathlon Rival?

[@dj_eski]

We tried 😂

[@hananas2]

I love that you guys are looking at actual entry level stuff, unlike other cycling channels pretending 1K is entry level

[@MarkusFolkesson]

1k? They think 2-3k is entry level!

[@hananas2]

@@MarkusFolkesson true that, same problem in the MTB world

[@MarkusFolkesson]

@@hananas2 Not surprised at all. For most people all over the world bicycle is a transportingtool, not sporting equipment or a gadget for bragging with your big wallet. And most youtubechannels are about advertising new fancy gadgets, not about making cycling enoying. I have never seen a bicycle-channel that actully include a rider that are happy with his/her bike with Deore/Sora/Claris.

[@hananas2]

@@MarkusFolkesson yeah this bothers me as well.. unsubscribed to GCN because they felt more and more like an advertising channel for 10K+ carbon toys

[@MarkusFolkesson]

@@hananas2 Well, I should say 5k carbon toys but we shouldn't split hairs. Actully thinking of starting my own channel for that very reason.

[@DSPrints_]

Wow. It came with a 21. ! Great feature on any bike. If you know, you know!

[@jaymendes]

Where's the chair? hahaha Fair play to you guys for trying

[@Alex-to8es]

You say you have to upgrade the triple front mech shifter to use a double, but you don't. I have the old Triban 500 with the Triple microshift shifter and have put a hollowtech Shimano Sora double 50-34 on the front of it, you can set the derailleur limits so it only has two positions (with the triple derailleur) , and works as good as any cheap double shifter in that set up. It is not well set up 105, but it switches between the big and small ring pretty well without skipping or jamming so does the job for free. I would say the limits of this big are that it is what you start to see in a cheap bike, steel forks (adding 2.5kg), low tyre clearance, a triple, be interested in how the tyres are because cheap tyres can really have limited grip when it start to get cold (but not icy).

[@Acta_Sanctorum]

Thank you for having us 🚲

[@emf6621]

You did great 😁

[@sdolman79]

Went into leisure lakes yesterday and they had 4/5 drop bar bikes, the entry level was a specialized at $1000, it's crazy no rim braked bikes either in the shop, 10 years ago you could get a Ali Mekk with sora for $450 or a specialized allez with Shimano 2300 or trek for $500 from the same store, better off buying second hand these days.

[@michaelhayward7572]

Triples are fine...set up with friction shifting, not indexed. Still very popular on 8-9-10 speed touring bikes with something like 48-36-24 chainrings.

[@festerofest4374]

Yea, just mind your chainline and having all that range of a triple can be really nice. I had a triple bike for years and I loved it. Gary Fisher KaiTai - great all-round bike from the mid-90's.

[@michaelhayward7572]

@@festerofest4374 chainline for me on a 9 speed triple (theoretical 27 speed) would be Small front 5 biggest rear sprockets Middle front, 7, all but 1 & 9 Big front, 6 smallest rear = 18 useable gears and no cross chaining.... Unlike a 1 x 12.....

[@independentmind1977]

Good enough for a commuter. I actually really like the frame, I’d love to see you guys turn this into a mid level bike, throw some ridiculous parts at it :)

[@stephensaines7100]

I was thinking much the same, albeit garish colours aren't my thing. What's interesting is how close this is to being a much better machine. The bones are there, the marketing and detail isn't. For a 20% increase in price, this could be a very good machine for your average plebe to achieve escape velocity.

[@redauwg911]

I know Francis has a Dura Ace crank just lying around somewhere😂

[@Chrisrides]

Enve Fork. Dura ace group set, BXT aero bars. 😄

[@jabok5821]

Yes, great idea.

[@PhilOsGarage]

I’m surprised the tourney shifters are so bad, when the Claris shifters are really nice.

[@STEVE151079]

If Argos did this bike in 2 (or ideally 3) sizes, changed the triple to a cheap compact (50/34), swapped the freewheel to a a 11-34 and could squeeze in 28mm tyres- no matter how basic, they could increase the price to £399 and sell these day long. Those swap’s really shouldn’t affect the overall landed cost price to Argos (not retail) too much. From Argos’ POV the main issue would realistically be holding more inventory due to extra size options, and how many would they actually sell. All our suggestions are based on those of experienced cyclists, but most seasoned cyclists won’t be buying a £350 bike from Argos, save for maybe a turbo trainer bike or winter bike. So whilst Argos maybe could get those changes implemented quite easily, and that would be a great, usable, crazy cheap road bike if they did, it’s probably not worth the hassle for their predicted sales numbers. Any experienced roadie who did buy one (I would actually get one if it fitted me) would probably just swap out tyres straight away anyway and eventually fit a different chainset, most of us have attics full of Dura-Ace chainsets after all!! 🚴🏻🤣🤣

[@AGuyWhosBritish]

For someone like me who just wanted a cheap run around Argos dont really have any mountain bikes for taller people, their frame size is always around 18" and its tiny. i wish they would stock larger frame bikes

[@amanitamuscaria5284]

On that price point there is not one disc brake system that is better than rim brakes.

[@pt-ol7xq]

Dear Francis, I really appreciate the video quality since you've created Cade Media and I love the dynamic you and Jimmy share. I'm glad that the products you review do not (always) break the bank and are affordable for most people. As a long time viewer I do miss the vlog-style riding videos since they've always motivated me to go out and ride a bike myself. I assume these types of videos do not perform as well on KZbin - but I think there is an audience for them. Keep up the good work and thanks for many hours of entertainment over the years.

[@katepollitt4033]

I bought a Cross hybrid bike out of desperation when cheap bikes were hard to come by after lockdown. I only paid £125 for it. The cable actuated calipers failed within months and I also kept replacing spokes. The tyres were made of cheese and the bottom bracket was a bucket of marbles. I still ride it although all that's left of the original bike is the frame and the seat. Not the forks, they went too. I definitely never got a bargain in the long run.

[@isapbjh]

Just watched this and bought the bike today for a ridiculous £148! Figured I can't go wrong at that price. Will do as an extra bike, maybe for use in the winter on the TT

[@Ahmed-Ali76]

Is it worh getting and how is your time using it considering buying

[@DanAlexandruAlb]

Great review, I really love this entry level series. Indeed it seems like this bike was aimed for wallmart and hypermarkets, especially with a one size only frame and I'm glad you did not recommend it in the end. Decathlon's Tribans are still the best choice when it comes to budget road bikes. Once Triban RC 120 gets a replaceble mech hanger and thru-axle, its gonna unbeatable unless they raise the price much higher.

[@vaska00762]

I'd love to see entry level bikes from the online retailers. I suppose the administration of Wiggle CRC is topical right now, but it's still actively trading, and it's looking like it'll be sold to new owners soon.

[@NunoLima1337]

"Decathlon's Tribans are still the best choice when it comes to budget road bikes" Have you *really* compared them to several alternatives before reaching this final decision?

[@DanAlexandruAlb]

@NunoLima1337 yes, no better choice in that budget unless you get a used one or there's a stock clearance or any other major sale. However that's applied to the European market, I am not really sure how things are in USA or Asia. Boardman also has some good budget deals if you're in UK. The thing with bicycles is that the prices are constantly changing, when I've bought my Orbea it was 2.5k euro, and the next month it was on sale for 2k. Same thing applies to Tribans, there might be some better deals out there, but in general they are hard to beat. Especially if you aren't willing to wait for sales.

[@NunoLima1337]

@@DanAlexandruAlb I'm in the UK too. Decathlon and Halfords are my nearest "big box" stores but I recently re-discovered Go Outdoors. I've become very interested in the Polygon brand they distribute, even if this is not an "in house" brand like Carrera, Triban, Pinnacle, Calibre, and others I haven't discovered. Maybe that's the "< £500 bike" big comparison series I'd like to watch on KZbin!

[@jaywomer2313]

Boxes only have to sit about a week in a warehouse before they get crazy dusty. They usually hire someone and their job is dust control. Thats all they do. Sweep ,dust boxes, floor scrubber, vaccum, and clean out air filters. And the boxes will still get like that after a week

[@Nahtano7]

4:51 is Adele's album

[@cneubert28]

Things took a turn at the end lol. Love to see a series on commuter bikes.

[@davidcharnes9161]

Once again the weather in the UK is terrible. You guys are legends to go out in the rain.

[@82vitt]

It was lovely today in Cheshire. 13 deg C, sunny. I was wearing a summer kit on my mid afternoon ride.

[@charnestours1948]

It was 21 degrees today in Florence, Italy where I live. I was wearing long sleeves and long bib tights on my mid afternoon ride. I realized that I overdid it. The other cyclists were in shorts.

[@johnmccrossan9376]

Definitely agree on the rim brake point. Yes hydraulic disks are better but all budget rim brakes are pretty good and don't stretch the cables much unless you're really doing something silly. Also those rims probably cost like 10 quid to make so who really cares

[@mrx1979ua]

Triple has it's place and can shift perfectly. Especially considering the bike is 13 happy kilos. :) Oh, I do run triples on two of my bikes. Love them. Just use it as a 2x with a safety option

[@lolbubs11111]

The triple doesn't cause the cross-chaining wear, though -- you would see the exact same problem if the front was a 1x. (In fact, this is kind of the problem with 1x!). 11-12 speed cassettes make this a little better than 7 speed because you have a higher density of gear options in the same physical space, but it's not like it's even twice as dense as a 7-speed. I guess what I'm saying is, 2x gearing is objectively the best :-).

[@glenngardin3561]

I was going to question the same thing. Which is worse for cross chaining 2 x 12 or 3 x 7? Jimmy could have a point with overlapping ratios though.

[@sloopjohnbable]

"not included" is art. Abstract bullit points are the way forward

[@PhilOsGarage]

But 21 was included 😅

[@davewright8206]

5:49 i had a choice banana yellow or gunsmoke grey .. i chose grey for that reason

[@zedddddful]

Bit harsh on 3x I've had a 3x alivio setup on my tourer since 2017 and it's been brilliant tbh this one looked pants though.

[@titaniumismagical8643]

I put those Wellgo pedals on all my 3 bikes. I love them. They're light yet sturdy, and once broken in after a ride, they spin like a propeller.

[@chriswright9096]

Great video. I find some triples work really well but, yeah, I prefer a double any time. Where I live (Ontario) the equivalent of 350GBP will buy you a really nice used road bike. Maybe a medium range aluminum frame from 2005 ish era, with 105 groupset (eg Giant, Trek or Specialized) with probably 80% of its useful life left in it. I imagine its the same in UK?

[@vaska00762]

The Deore XT T8000 line is a triple and it works perfectly. I don't know about the Tiagra triple groupset, but like... A very good triple is possible and idk why so many people don't like it. The thing is, modern 10 and 11 speed groupsets are designed with cross-chaining in mind.

[@chriswright9096]

@@stephensaines7100 Agreed. I own several 80's steel frame bikes, each of which will still be going strong years after the Argos bike is in the dumpster. Having said that, the Argos bike appears to be functional and looks great in the modern sense. Its all good if it gets folks into cycling. Fantastic that you are doing 100km rides in your seventies btw.

[@stephensaines7100]

@@chriswright9096 The Argos is from Argos Racing, in Bristol to be clear.

[@draugmithrin]

Big fan of triples (53/39/26 and 11-32 9spd cassette on my Audax bike), needed my 26 tooth inner ring yesterday going up Widecombe Hill near the end of the Dartmoor Devil Audax. Bike size is usually measured by seat tube length.

[@callumthorsen5474]

I had a campag veloce triple back in the day it was great, I have shimano ultegra 11spd now not a fan, but that might be the shifters on the hoods I miss the thumb depressor enormously might switch back to campag just for that

[@shepshape2585]

For those of you just getting into cycling and on a limited budget, or you just don't want to spend a lot of money on your first bike because you're not sure you'll stick with it, here is my advice: Rather than buy a $400 bike brand new, take that same $400 and buy a much better used bike. You could easily find a nice aluminum road bike with a 105 group set that would be a lot lighter and have a lot better build quality for the same money. If you don't know what to look for, find someone who does know or just do your research online. Bikes do not hold their value well at all, so for $400, you could buy a bike that was originally about $1,500 but is now 5 or 6 years old and may have a scratch or two but is in great working order. That's what I did with my first bike, and once I'd ridden that one for about 3 years straight, I sold it and bought myself a carbon bike on a great sale. Spend your money wisely on all your bike purchases. You can't buy speed no matter what anyone tells you.

[@nicholascheng8995]

you really should try giant's bikes. they have insane value for money. Try something like the contend or SCR

[@CurtisCycles]

Rear light costs more than the bike 😂

[@DavidMartin-tk4fs]

Got gifted a Cross CRX500 hybrid by a friend the other day as he has a bad knee so never ever uses it and just wanted rid so gave it to me to "do something with" and sell. Was shocked as it looked like new but as soon as I got on everything was just all over the place, rattling and just barely staying together. Seeing how yours arrived explains a lot but half an hour tinkering got it tight, quiet and as smooth as it was going to get with its full Tourney group less iron age cranks and floppy V brakes. Much like yours, this bike also rolls surprisingly well for a bike which in this case retailed at £130 😳 and masks its weight well. The worst bit on this bike is also the triple chainset which is so cheap and nasty it has so much wander it is impossible to adjust out front chain rub. I honestly thought it must have been fitted wrong so removed and refitted but no difference. Don't want to mash it up by attempting to straighten it. My similarish 20 year old Claud Bulter Chinook is so much better in so many ways, actually very like to the CRX352 but rim brakes and straight bars. It will do someone as a sturdy commuter hack nicely though. Lesson for people out there, just like you show, if you are buying a Cross new you better have some basics skills, and if you are buying second hand also don't assume its set up right but you should have a decent basic bike to get around on. You can have it for £75 if you like as long as you promise "No stunting or jumping" 😅

[@stuartbird5139]

Agree with Francis, rim brakes are preferable for entry level bikes. So much easier to maintain, especially for a novice

[@SuperTaylor68]

“Don’t need a manual”… the correct man response to instructions 😂

[@titaniumismagical8643]

My older Ultegra triple 3×9 (52-42-30 crank) shifts better in the front than my 105 10 speed 2×10 compact 50-34 crank. When riding a triple I only use the small ring as a granny gear going up a steep hill. I can see double being better with an 11 or 12 speed though.

[@andyamos8594]

Excellent Argos "Ikea" bike build. Sizing apart, looks like bargains do exist out there!!

[@ronaldweed6103]

I'm old,& my body has gotten down hill, therefore it should fit me just find. I was 6 foot, now 5 foot 11 inches. Life is good

[@Not_Sure_]

Steel fork, bars, and post. Replace the post, and bars to aloy, and the fork with a carbon fork and you're in business.

[@E.T_rode_bikes_As_well]

That was a cool episode! Thx guys!

[@doomguy8884]

I find you rarely see an entry level bike at this price point with the 21 feature😂

[@LTFC77]

Why not try and make it as light as possible? Carbon fork, 1x etc

[@biolf1]

Dude’s talking about a vibrant neon bike while wearing hot pink.😂😂😂😂

[@Daniel-dj7fh]

You know what a very interesting video concept could also end up being. Budget gear. I've been thinking about getting one of Decathlon's 50€ road helmet, but I dunno if it's good. Also My head looks wack in one, maybe also a video on what style of helmet fits what head shape, if that's a thing?

[@Daniel-dj7fh]

And at it maybe also the riding boots (gravel ones specific if possible, like the Triban GRVL 500/520 spd or Rockrider Gravel Race 900) and ask the Bikefit guy if they are solid for beginners?

[@DanAlexandruAlb]

As long as it fits you, the helmet should be good. I am pretty sure all helmets sold in Europe must meet a minimum safety score. Also take a look at Specialized Align II, its one of the cheapest MIPS helmet and interestingly one of the safest on the market based on the safety tests.

[@elliott959]

the big problem with it being 7 speed is that probably means the rear frame spacing is 126mm instead of 130, so if you wanted to upgrade to 8+ sprockets out back you would have to cold-set the frame, which you can't do cause it's aluminum, then you would need a new wheel. I wonder where they even found a hub that had both a tread-on freewheel and a disc mount.

[@topazgaming3756]

Do they review china bike brand ? If they do they should find a good budget bike there

[@r__9_1____a34]

Can you try the Giordano trieste, I just got one $280 gravel bike

[@myleshigh4225]

I'm 6'2 and have this bike and its fine. It is my first road bike but i find it very comfortable. Brakes are crap, and took alot of adjustments to get them to work, and still they aren't great.

[@markfrench9004]

That video was like watching Das Boot: hope and optimism that all comes crashing down at the end.

[@kylehagertybanana]

I agree with everything Jimmi said about cable disc brakes,

[@ericsontan]

What if the bike comes with an ultegra component to ultegra 😊 would you recomment it event with 23 wheels and steel fork? 😊

[@S29MCA]

Considered doing any of the Polygon range from Go Outdoors?

[@MarkusFolkesson]

I have ride a hybrid with 28/38/48 and 14-28 in 18 years, work brilliant. It seams like 3-speed dosen't work with bended bars. What spec on this bike? I really like the small difference in ratio at front with that bike. But the freewheel is abit wide. Now I have 13-28 on it and I hate it. It is clearly too wide. I never use smallest chainring on tarmac. Jimmy - some entry level cyklists living on flats and have leg muscles. Good that you check out low price bikes!

[@ronwhite8503]

Driven?

[@stephens_running]

I've bought this bike but I can't get the front wheel to fit in-between the disc brakes. And ideas?

[@gmivisualsjason3729]

Excellent

[@garysladek9110]

Love the color!

[@SouthWest-jj8yu]

A year on they now sell it at £148

[@kepsoq]

Would love to see a entry level gravel bike video!

[@lukeechong]

Gents I seen on chain reaction they have Vitus entree bike the Mach 3 and razor for under £400 and that with sora or claris. Surely a review

[@kulchatha4657]

can you review the halfords boardman range

[@sterby1]

Fun fact, there are two "Cross" brands, one is this, we call it "C-Cross", the other is Kross, we call it "K-Cross". Both brands offer affordable bikes in all ranges, now in gravel as well in about the same kind of quality. I'd like to see the comparison with the K-Kross gravel bike also compared to Triban

[@theisrandersen]

Please do a cup and cone to cartridge ball bearing conversion video. :)

[@CanyonWanderer]

maybe a typo? CRY 952, but seriously: nice review and for some still a good entry point! Nice that you look at bikes at this price level, much appreciated!

[@zoranmackic]

Did somone mentioned 6 foot 8 (203cm)? Coming from looong cycling hibernation and dusting off my ancient (and too small 58cm) 3x8 Giant and EU52 Shimano shoes. Also enjoying this kind of cycling content on yt.

[@jaywomer2313]

The problem with the triple up front is that they have advanced rear derailleur a ton and the front has been updated in 30 years. They need to make a better design for the front derailluer

[@jaydaniels6172]

I love how you just grabbed someone from the building to put it together lol

[@AliAdam80]

do polygon bikes, the strattos line up

[@emmabird9745]

Hey Jimmy, we're not all ex pros, or necessarily in the first flush of youth. I couldn't ride without a tripple, which makes pretty much all the flash bikes out of reach or need a suitable upgrade to 3by. I'm surprised you are happy with 7 speeds at the rear. Francis, the length of the seat tube is the traditional way of sizing a bike so it's not surprising thats what they used. I wonder that you didn't notice at the point of sale that it was a "one size fits all" (well normally no-one) but perhaps you did. Why even entertain the possibility it might be good value. If, as Jimmy claims, an owner might want to upgrade (?) to a 2by, why woud they need to replace the tripple shifter when they could just set the cable short so that only 2 worked? Entry level riders might have aspiration to be fit and strong but they are entry level riders so maybe they need an easier ride to start (unless they live in the fens or somewhere else pan flat)

[@mad4461]

Triples are great, you get a much greater gear range without needing loads of gears, or widely spaced gears, on the back. A 2by is a downgrade imho.

[@emmabird9745]

@@mad4461 hear hear.

[@shanelynch8232]

I had a cross mountain bike years ago I used for a short commute and found it was made of paper

[@wordpress4373]

Can you test Decahtlon GRVL 900 model?

[@alanarmour1257]

Let’s see a review on the Calibre Lost Lad from Go Outdoors.

[@LegSpinna]

10:02 He was an inquisitive chap.

[@myredroom]

5 x 6 is 30 innit?

[@WRBL69]

xD the name of the brand is just taken from our Polish brand KROSS but the first letter is changed... even the font is simmilar...

[@DDragan]

Cross is Bulgarian brand making bikes from '95, they have all from kids bikes to really good mtbs and e-bikes distributed mostly in Eu.. This particular model it doesn't show up on their site, so I guess it's deal only with Argos in UK..

[@WRBL69]

Poland beaten it by 5 years ;)

[@edmundhodgson2572]

love a triple. This happens to be a crap triple

[@Epiqe]

Imagine this surprisingly cool looking bike with budget 105 groupset and better wheels with continental GPs on them.

[@markday1714]

back at ya jimmy

[@dblissmn]

Wish these entry levels didn't feel the need to complicate. The internal cable routing, triple front ring and disc brakes pointlessly add cost and increase maintenance. I'd prefer better components and traditional routing and brakes with a double. 23mm tires also a stupid choice. I wonder if the one-size-fits-all approach is how they make the price point.

[@glennoc8585]

Microshift are pretty decent. I still don't think £250 is cheap when a similar specced bike in Asia or America can be found like this for £50 less.

[@NunoLima1337]

Really? Where?

[@successshampoo]

Lmao, pls don't be one of those "go used" people.

[@ilikewasabe]

But to be honest if your watching Cade Media or any other bike related youtube channel, you probably know how to assemble a bike properly or knows someone who do. Or just bring it to a local bike shop. Probably bring some cold beer. Helps allot for bringing you up the queue

[@Justin-iw7pl]

Thats more bumf(instructions )than came with my specialized 😂

[@andreemurray7039]

Sadly the cycle industry is in trouble sadly bike sale's are low but prices are high

[@DangerAmbrose]

Triples are for experts.

[@vaska00762]

Shimano Deore XT T8000 is a triple groupset that works well.

[@lawrenceokane1678]

Agree 100%. Best drivetrain ever. My other bike is a compact and I’m going to upgrade it to a triple as I never feel I’m in the right gear. UNDERRATED.

[@MTBstuart]

Connor Dunne from gcn is 6ft8 i believe please get him to try it 🤣

[@LordTechnopants]

So near and yet not that close Argos, or Agros as we call it.

[@FredsRandomFinds]

Currently on offer at £148 or so?

[@frankhellman6879]

Best not get into ebikes too deeply. There's plenty of "fits all" one-size ebikes. My guess is they know their customers are mostly unfamiliar with bikes in general. Even some reviewers who should know better suggest changing the stem length by 10s of mm with no mention of the other consequences. Although it may not matter when the bike weighs 80 pounds! 😶

[@Gmh6477]

Be good if you put £1200 of selected parts (easily buy you wheels and a decent groupset )on one of these bikes and get a rider who isn’t aware of the upgrades to test it against a £1500 bike

[@СветославТасев]

Cross bikes are the best value for money. For 500 euros you can get an mtb with RockShox suspension, Shimano brakes and everything else. Prices of bikes with same specs from other brands start from 1,000 euros.

[@erich8258]

Best ending ever

[@PanaehaliTut]

Where's a chair? lol We've all been there. Was trying to fix my milwaukee powertool charger but was unable to explain what i need to a girl in the store :)

[@Riceburn247]

Take it to a race! I would love to see a well set up supermarket bike in the hands of a fast rider. It should give all us gear obsessed wannabees food for thought.

[@crazyjoedavola9002]

Make it litest possible on a budget. (Used carbon fork, better groupset, carbon seatpost and bars etc.)

[@jerinbennykurup5489]

Can the handle rise

[@stephens_running]

Yes they are adjustable :)

[@Lowkeypoki93]

" You're not being supportive!" lmao

[@karmielu9552]

nice duster :)))

[@priyankbhagat2126]

Is this bike suitable for 170 cm tall person ?

[@Stevievee]

You know 6x5 is 30 right?

[@bigyin.7710]

I think this video should be amended, considering the price of the bike now, £148.

[@markstone722]

Think the bike's name lives up to reputation 😂

[@elquetzal12]

Argos is great!!!