ROAD BIKE TRIBAN RC 120 – GREY Review
- Price: £349.99
- Frame: Aluminum
- Tires: 700c Aluminum
- Gear: 2×8
What we like about it: A robust and durable entry-level bike at an affordable price suitable for everyone.
What we don’t like about it: Limited color options and a narrow selection range.
Rating: (4.8/5)
The ROAD BIKE TRIBAN RC 120 – GREY is a versatile bike with comfortable geometry, an aluminum frame, 16 speeds, and a carbon fiber fork, enabling riders to tackle various types of roads.
Now, let’s analyze the riding experience, key features, components, and specifications of the ROAD BIKE TRIBAN RC 120 – GREY. In the latter part of this article, we’ll also compare it to several other bikes. If you want to learn more about bike reviews, feel free to follow us.
Riding Experience
The ROAD BIKE TRIBAN RC 120 – GREY has the appearance, geometry, and riding experience of a mature road bike, meeting all my expectations for a bike. Despite its affordable price, there are minimal noticeable cost-cutting measures, making it suitable for the daily riding needs of beginners.
To put it to the test, I planned a ride with the ROAD BIKE TRIBAN RC 120 – GREY on the hilly roads near my home. The roads were mostly open and flat, with plenty of uphill and long downhill sections, interspersed with some unpaved gravel roads.
Cruising on Flat Roads
When I first got on the ROAD BIKE TRIBAN RC 120 – GREY, its overall shape and riding posture were reminiscent of a mature road bike. The aluminum frame, designed to be sturdy and durable while minimizing weight, made my ride feel effortless.
Next, when I wanted to accelerate, the bike’s transmission system provided a comfortable and easy shifting experience. When I shifted to the highest gears and accelerated my pedaling, the bike responded with increased speed. In no time, I was able to reach a fast pace.
Finally, the ROAD BIKE TRIBAN RC 120 – GREY features a carbon fiber fork. On bumpy road sections, it absorbed more vibrations, enhancing my riding comfort.
Climbing and Descending
The ROAD BIKE TRIBAN RC 120 – GREY performed well during uphill rides. I adjusted the derailleur to the largest freewheel gears, giving me a lighter pedaling sensation, making my ascent much easier and conserving energy.
The rigid frame provided a solid platform when I stood to pedal, eliminating any sense of power loss and allowing me to climb faster.
On long downhill stretches, thanks to the 700c large wheels, the bike’s rolling efficiency was excellent. Even without pedaling, I could maintain extremely high downhill speeds.
The rim brakes on this bike provided reliable braking during the extended downhill ride, allowing me to maintain speed as much as possible, ensuring stability and safety. However, disc brakes would be more reliable, especially in rainy weather conditions.
Overall, this TRIBAN RC 120 road bike can meet my basic needs for flat, uphill, or downhill riding, and it’s dependable even on gravel roads.
Specifications
The ROAD BIKE TRIBAN RC 120 – GREY comes in 5 frame sizes (XS-XL), suitable for riders ranging from 5’1″ to 6’5″ in height. In other words, it covers nearly all demographics, making it highly versatile.
The 2×8-speed drivetrain is more than capable of handling various riding needs, offering reliable quality and precise shifting, regardless of hand size or shape. Equipped with aluminum brake levers with insertable brake pads, the bike provides improved braking efficiency, meeting daily riding requirements.
The comfort-oriented frame geometry features a higher steering tube and a shorter top tube, providing a more upright riding position compared to classic road bike frames, making the riding posture more comfortable. The carbon fiber fork is lighter and offers precise steering control.
Finally, two mounting points at the down tube and seat tube support water bottle installation, enhancing battery life during long-distance rides.
Video
What do we like about it?
- Comfortable geometry with a raised position, adjustable stem, carbon fork, aluminum frame for added comfort.
- The bike can be equipped with front and rear mudguards or side pannier racks, offering some load-carrying capacity for long-distance rides.
- Triban provides a lifetime warranty for the frame, stem, handlebars, and rigid fork.
- Ergonomically designed handlebars for a better grip, reduced slippage, and increased comfort.
- New Triban ErgoFit saddle, comfortable and supportive, with a quickly adjustable aluminum seat post.
- 700c wheels and 28c puncture-resistant tires for improved rolling efficiency and durability.
What don’t we like about it?
- Limited color options with a narrow selection range.
FAQ
- What is the weight of this bike?
The weight of the bike is 10.59 kilograms (23.32 pounds).
- Where is the best place to book hotels for long-distance rides?
We recommend booking hotels on IHG for convenience and speed.
- How do I choose the right size?
Here, we provide a size chart for your reference. However, it’s not mandatory to strictly follow this standard. The best way to find the right size is through test rides.
| Rider height | SIZE |
| 5’1″ – 5’5″ | XS |
| 5’5″ – 5’8″ | S |
| 5’8″ – 6’0″ | M |
| 6’0″ – 6’3″ | L |
| 6’0″ – 6’5″ | XL |
Specs
Build
| Frame | Comfort-oriented frame geometry with a higher steering socket and a shorter top tube that offers a more upright position than a classic road frame.6061 T6 aluminium sloping frame with semi-integrated headset. Frame weight, size M: 1830 g. |
| Fork | Carbon fork that is more lightweight and offers more precise directional control.Aheadset 1″1/8 head tube that provides great strength and rigidity to the steering assembly.Inserts in the fork to fit a pannier rack.Maximum load on the fork. Maximum load on the fork: 9 kg |
| Handlebar / stem / steering | Ergonomic handlebars for better grip and greater comfort.Handlebar width end to end: XS, S: 400 mm.M, L:420 mm.XL: 440mm |
| Drivetrain | High-precision, sturdy Microshift 8-speed shifter. Very comfortable ergonomy: shifter with a pleasant feel, whatever the shape or size of the hand. High-precision front and rear Microshift derailleurs |
| Crankset / cassette | Microshift 11 x 34 cassette(11/13/15/18/21/24/28/34) Shimano Tourney double chainring 50/34 bottom bracket.Cranks: XS, S, M: 170 mm.L, XL: 175mm Bottom bracket with integrated bearing |
| Brakes | Aluminium brake levers equipped with cartridge brake pads for increased braking efficiency. |
| Wheels | Triban 700 wheelsAero 28 hubs |
| Tyres | Triban Protect 700 x 28 tyres.Anti-puncture protectionSupple carcass for low weightMax pressure: 8 bar /116 psi.48mm Triban inner tube with Presta valve |
| Saddle / Seat post | New Triban ErgoFit saddle. Hammock design for greater comfort. Aluminium Triban seat post. Easy saddle adjustment. Diameter: 27.2 mm.Length: 350mm in M / L / XL, 250mm in XS / S |
| Pedals | Hybrid platform pedals. |
| Accessories / equipment | Bike supplied with a front and rear light and a bell |
| Weight | 10.9kg in size M without pedals |
| warranty | Lifetime warranty on: the frame, stem, handlebar and rigid fork. |
Comparison Table
| Bikes | Click view | Wheelset | Frame Material | Brake Type | Drivetrain |
| Specialized Diverge E5 | Click View | 700c Aluminum | Aluminum | Tektro Mira, flat-mount, mechanical disc | 2 × 8 |
| Cannondale Topstone 4 | Click View | 700c Aluminum | Aluminum | Promax Render R | 1 × 10 |
| Polygon STRATTOS S2 | Click View | 700c Aluminum | Aluminum | TEKTRO R315 | 2 × 8 |
| Aventon Kijote Adventure Bike | Click View | 700c Aluminum | Steel | Tektro Mira MD-C400 | 2 × 8 |
ROAD BIKE TRIBAN RC 120 – GREY vs. Specialized Diverge E5
In comparison, both of these bikes feature aluminum frames and carbon fiber forks. However, the latter’s internal cable routing design gives it a cleaner and more aesthetically pleasing appearance.
When it comes to the drivetrain, both bikes use a 2×8-speed setup, but the latter employs Shimano-branded components. As a result, it provides a better and more reliable shifting experience.
Finally, in terms of braking components, both the rim brakes on the former and the mechanical disc brakes on the latter are dependable for everyday riding. However, in rainy conditions, the latter’s braking performance is slightly more reliable.
So, between these two bikes, if your budget allows, the latter offers better performance and riding experience, making it a recommended choice.
Learn More: Is Specialized Diverge Comp E5 Worth Buying? [Specialized Diverge Comp E5 Review]
ROAD BIKE TRIBAN RC 120 – GREY vs. Cannondale Topstone 4
When it comes to the drivetrain, the former’s 2×8-speed configuration offers a wider range, enabling faster riding speeds. In contrast, the latter is equipped with a 1×10-speed drivetrain, which simplifies gear shifting and helps riders maintain their focus.
Furthermore, the latter bike features more mounting points on the frame, enhancing its carrying capacity, and making it better suited for long-distance rides compared to the former.
The internal cable routing design on the latter bike gives it a cleaner and more aesthetically pleasing appearance, while the external cable routing design on the former makes maintenance and servicing more convenient.
In conclusion, between these two road bikes, the latter is more suitable for gravel roads or long-distance rides, while the former is better suited for flat road cycling.
Learn More: Is Cannondale Topstone 4 Worth Buying? [Cannondale Topstone 4 Review]
ROAD BIKE TRIBAN RC 120 – GREY vs. Polygon STRATTOS S2
When comparing these two bikes, the latter has a more aggressive geometry, giving it a riding posture that aligns better with aerodynamics. In contrast, the former offers a more upright riding posture for a more comfortable riding experience.
Both of these bikes feature 2×8-speed drivetrains, but the latter, equipped with Shimano components, outperforms in terms of performance and gear shifting. The rim brakes on both bikes can handle everyday riding needs.
All in all, between these two road bikes, I would prefer the Polygon STRATTOS S2. Not only are its components more reliable, but I also prefer its frame geometry and internal cable routing design.
ROAD BIKE TRIBAN RC 120 – GREY vs. Aventon Kijote Adventure Bike
These are two bikes, each with its advantages.
The former’s combination of an aluminum frame and carbon fiber fork makes it lighter. The latter, with its steel frame and fork, offers better shock absorption, resulting in a more comfortable ride.
In terms of geometry, the former leans more towards a road bike riding posture, while the latter features a gravel bike geometry that can handle rough terrains more easily.
Lastly, the components on the former make it more suitable for road riding, while the wider tires on the latter make gravel riding more effortless.
So, between these two bikes, you can choose based on your preference for the type of terrain you plan to ride on.
Summary
Above is my review of the ROAD BIKE TRIBAN RC 120 – GREY. In our opinion, it’s an excellent road bike with a reliable and durable frame, combined with suitable components, making it a great choice for everyday riding, especially for beginners. This is why we’ve given it a rating of 4.8.
Of course, if you’d like to explore other road bikes, we have many more reviews of bikes across different price ranges, all of which can be quite interesting. Feel free to check out our other reviews.
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