Decathlon Sport-1
Rajat
This is my first post to the group so a brief intro first...
I'm trying to re-ignite my biking passion after a gap of more than 15
years and plan to start commuting by bike (10 km one way) to office.
I'm 5'10" and fairly fit and active.
While trying to find a good entry level hybrid I really liked the
schwinn sporterra (~13k). However recently came across Decathlon Sport
1 and found myself drooling over the deal (http://www.huddlendeal.com/
team.php?id=WRMTgw)
My question to all you pro-bikers is that (not sure if I'm using the
correct lingo and hope I'm not asking stupid questions)
1. Is this bike worth the money as I could not find many reviews and
specs are also not detailed on the website.
2. Are drop bars OK for a daily commute bike? Or should one go for a
straight bars only? If that is the case then can I just change the
handle bar on this bike later to a straight one without spending too
much?
Many Thanks
Rajat
Arvind Ganesh
Arvind
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Sudhir P
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Sudhir.P
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I do not suffer from insanity......
I enjoy it!
================================
Chidambaran Subramanian
I am no exception. However, for the last month , for lack of choices,
I've been using the Sport1 for commute , sometimes with a backpack
containing 15-20 kgs for distances of 4-7 km, and have had no issues. I
have not yet done a really long ride on the Sport1, the max distance
I've covered (with breaks ) is about 94km.
However, I am not a pro-biker, so you might want to get a second opinion.
Regards
Chiddu
deepakvrao
1. Posture. As Chidambaran said, for commuting you might prefer a more
upright posture than you would get on a racing bike
2. Tyre width and pressure, which is what Sudhir is referring to.
Fatter tyres at lower pressure will make your ride more comfortable,
and easier on bad roads especially. Makes your overall ride faster too
sometimes.
3. You can't [easily] set up a rack and panniers on a racing bike, and
believe me hefting a back pack is a pain in the ass.
I started commuting on a racing bike, but now commute on a drop bar
bike with fat tyres, upright posture and panniers,and I just love the
difference. You can just buy odd stuff without worrying about how
heavy it will be in the back pack etc. You don't have to carry a back
pack at all. You do not have to worry about the surface of the road.
So you can set up a commute bike with drop bars, upright posture, and
fat tyres, but you won't get one ready like that in India. Some have
done that with MTBs and hybrids though.
You need to decide whether the non commute use of the bike would be on
road or off.
Don't buy the bike in a hurry. Read this:
http://www.bikeszone.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=28&t=3268
Like Chidambaran said, I am not a pro biker either :-)
Drop bars are more comfy [for me at least] than flat bars on longer
rides, so, if you plan to use the same bike as a sport bike on the
weekends too, you might want to look at something different from a
racing bike.
KP
In addition to what's been said above if you do make up your mind to go for a road bike, consider KHS Alite 220 instead of BTwin sport 1. Its available at comparable price but the ride quality of KHS is much better than Sport1. Venkey @wheelsports is giving some great discounts on it too.
As for commuting, you can have a separate bike. I usually use a AVON Single speed (Rs. 3K) with in the city. It takes any abuse I throw at it on the roads, and I got peace of mind while parking etc. In short I usually dont have to bother much about it and the road conditions.
On longer rides outside the city I use my road bike.
-KP
Sreepathi Pai
> So you can set up a commute bike with drop bars, upright posture, and
> fat tyres, but you won't get one ready like that in India.
Depends on your definition of fat, but the Flite 220 (not the Alite!)
comes really close.
Takes upto 32mm tyres, has clearance for mudguards [the front is a
little tight], has braze-ons for a rear rack. You can set up a close
to upright posture, since KHS bikes seem to come with tons of spacers
and an uncut fork.
I'll post a pic in hopefully a week with all those added in.
> Like Chidambaran said, I am not a pro biker either :-)
You kidders!
--
Sreepathi Pai
Arvind Ganesh
Sreepathi Pai
> Also the Kona Sutra, if it becomes available.
> It even comes standard with fenders and rear and front racks!
Sweet bike, just that it comes nowhere close to the definition of entry level ;)
--
Sreepathi Pai
deepakvrao
Saw the website and it came with 26mm tyres. Not sure whether it could
take wider and hence did not venture to suggest it.
Sreepathi, 32 is pretty fat. Enough for commuting comfortably. I saw
that it has calipers. Long reach are they?
On Jun 10, 1:32 pm, Sreepathi Pai <sree...@gmail.com> wrote:
Shankar Shastry
I used to commute on my flatbae mtb then drop bar mtb and now on drop bar roadbike. Im comfortable with all three.
ot :Anyone want to trade their khs flite 220 for my sport 1? 54cm
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ABHISHEK IYER
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New Physical Sciences Building
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Sreepathi Pai
> I know that KHS bikes comes with lots of spacers, and are great bikes.
> Saw the website and it came with 26mm tyres.
True. I swapped in my Marathons.
> Not sure whether it could
> take wider and hence did not venture to suggest it.
Max width on that "16mm" rim is 28mm, but it takes 32.
> Sreepathi, 32 is pretty fat. Enough for commuting comfortably. I saw
> that it has calipers. Long reach are they?
Yes. No idea about the actual length though, sorry. They're definitely
longer than the Sport 1.
> On Jun 10, 1:32 pm, Sreepathi Pai <sree...@gmail.com> wrote:
>> On Fri, Jun 10, 2011 at 8:17 AM, deepakvrao <deepakv...@gmail.com> wrote:
>> > So you can set up a commute bike with drop bars, upright posture, and
>> > fat tyres, but you won't get one ready like that in India.
>>
>> Depends on your definition of fat, but the Flite 220 (not the Alite!)
>> comes really close.
>>
>> Takes upto 32mm tyres, has clearance for mudguards [the front is a
>> little tight], has braze-ons for a rear rack. You can set up a close
>> to upright posture, since KHS bikes seem to come with tons of spacers
>> and an uncut fork.
>>
>> I'll post a pic in hopefully a week with all those added in.
>>
>> > Like Chidambaran said, I am not a pro biker either :-)
>>
>> You kidders!
>>
>> --
>> Sreepathi Pai
>
> --
> biking conversations on the world famous "Bangalore Bikers Club" :)
>
> are you a part of the bicycle racing scene?
> Visit www.bangalorebicyclechampionships.com for more details
--
Sreepathi Pai
Shankar Shastry
Sure I am. But I'd be MORE happy with fat tyres, fenders and racks as I'm not a Cycling racist ;)
Sent from my Samsung Galaxy on Android
> Shankar....are you not happy with your sport one?
>
Rajat Malhotra
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Shankar Shastry
Replies inline
Sent from my Samsung Galaxy on Android
On 10 Jun 2011 15:20, "Rajat Malhotra" <rajatm...@gmail.com> wrote:
>
> Wow... thats a lot of information to assimilate. Thank you all guys.
>
> So now on second level of queries...
>
> 1. As few of you said drop bar is not a big issue for a daily commute bike. Does this holds true even if I have to carry around 4kg on my back (laptop and change clothes etc)? Also I'm currently riding a motor bike so used to straight bars, hence more inclined towards that. Again my original question "Can the handle bar be changed without spending a fortune later in case I can't adjust to drop bars?"
you can maintain an upright enough posture on drop bars.
I think u can shift to flatbar for cheap if u r selling drop bar setup..
> 2. Given the conditions of Bangalore roads and traffic is it advisable to start with a road bike rather than a hybrid or mtb?
road bikes not being able to handle bangalore roads is just hocum but you'll definitely be more comfortable on an mtb or a hybrid as compared to road bikes
> 3. VFM: The bike (mrp 26999 @ decathlon website) is up for grabs @ 15k. But talking to a cycle shop owner from one of the renowned names in bangalore the guy seem to suggest that this bike is not VFM even at that price.
As compared to which other bike? and is this guy's name voldemort?
Truth is, its amazing value for money but might not be perfect for ur intended usage
> 4. How much do tyre cost in case one intend to change to fatter ones?
around 600 to 1000 per tire
swim/bike/run
KP
I guess rather than getting confused too much go the bike store and check out the bikes. mail to venka...@yahoo.co.in and check out the bikes.
If not for Road bike have a look at the MTBs there too.
Pretty good MTBs / Hybrids around 15-20 K
Rajat Malhotra
Finally went to RR Cycles yesterday and loved the look and ride of Schwinn Searcher and guess what... rode it home ;-)
anilk...@gmail.com
Congratulations on ur new bike....wish u safe and fun ride....!!!
Anil s kadsur
Sent on my BlackBerry® from Vodafone
> /_/_ ._ _/_
> / \ /_| / /_| /
> |/
>
> --
> biking conversations on the world famous "Bangalore Bikers Club" :)
>
> are you a part of the bicycle racing scene?
> Visit www.bangalorebicyclechampionships.com for more details
--
biking conversations on the world famous "Bangalore Bikers Club" :)
are you a part of the bicycle racing scene?
Visit www.bangalorebicyclechampionships.com for more details
--biking conversations on the world famous "Bangalore Bikers Club" :)
are you a part of the bicycle racing scene?
Visit www.bangalorebicyclechampionships.com for more details
--
_
/_/_ ._ _/_
|/
KP
Congratulations. Beware that riding a road bike could be addictive ;)
Decathlon locks are decent. get couple of them. you should lock the wheels and the frame too.