Decathlon's TRIBAN RC 520 after 2000 km - review and modifications

A short review of my Triban RC 520 from Decathlon after almost a year of ownership and more than 2000 km in the saddle. I explain some mods I've made and give my opinion on the bike's different components.

Here are links to the upgrade parts:

Handlebars:

Gel pads for under the bartape:

Bar tape:

Schwalbe Marathon:

Schwalbe inner tubes:

Content:

00:00 - Intro
01:00 - Saddle
01:41 - Pedals
01:56 - Before further modifications
02:34 - Tires
03:33 - Stem inversion
03:53 - Handlebar
04:53 - "Gravelization" and cost
06:05 - And what about stock components?
06:24 - Transmission
06:43 - Brakes
07:26 - Wheels
08:05 - Value to buck
08:47 - Outro

[zurielsss]

I must say after watching hundreds of bike videos, this models does seem the best value to me. I think it will be my first bicycle after 20+ years of not cycling

[Czechbound]

A great review. One correction : the frame for the Gravel edition (of the same year) is different from the Road edition as there are extra welds on it for durability. They've added a newer version ( 2024 ) of the Gravel bike now with 650b wheels, wider tyres, a new frame, and single chainring (the way a lot of pro bikes are going). The 2024 Road version has new wheels as they've taken onboard the feedback about tyres being difficult to change on the old version. At the moment (summer 2024) Decathlon is selling some Gravel frames for a 20% discount due to problems with the paint ( it's 2-tone paint. They paint the bike normally (in green) and then layers on black paint details. This 2nd layer didn't stick properly in all cases ). So you get only a 1 year paint warranty. I bought one. My bike showed up _zero_ visible paint problems. The Decathlon guy said that it was the 4th one that he'd seen like this. Result !

[nitishsrivastava]

Fantastic upgrades. This bike is a monster. Thanks for the review.

[tarungupta]

Hi, very nicely explained, I got my RC 520 around a month ago, very good bike

[agetyrrell]

Had the Gravel version since Oct 2020. Really comfortable bike if a bit heavy on the climbs. I swapped the very average Overides for Panaracer Gravelking SK 32mm and it transformed the ride. Found the stock saddle really good and the HY RD brakes very powerful. 1000 miles in a cracking gravel/winter bike. The tyres were tricky to change but make sure all the tyres/wheels are warm and soapy before attempting to change!

[Js-mjwd]

Thank U for review. It's out of stock here in Poland now... but I'm waiting patiently and watching some videos about ;)

[lukecrowther]

Thanks for the review and cool video! about to purchase this bike!

[murtadzayusri]

Im a Mountain biker and This bike ismy 1st roadbike and my 1st dropbar 😂. Absolutely value for money.

[dmaz]

Thank you for the video. It was good to hear the opinion of fellow Triban RC 520 owner. I have bought my Triban also at may 2020 and I consider it as a very good purchase. When it comes to wheels and tyres change, I have similar opinion. At my first tyres change I have had some major difficulties, but when I learned the proper way of changing them, I was able to switch between diffrend tyres quite easily. Previously I have ridden on 38mm CST PIKA tyres for a while, but I prefer to ride on tarmack, so now I have put on a 28 mm Vittoria Rubino tyres.

[zurielsss]

Glad to see a bike that is not $3000 to start with 👍🏻

[gabrielalonzo]

I have the same bike 🚲 and love it. Greetings from Melbourne Australia 🇦🇺

[olivierdrouard]

Nice video, good advices, and fair enough!

[iwsgt]

Thanks for this review. I'm looking for my first road / gravel bike, I think this bike is a good choice, ciao🙂

[ffgsfds]

Spasibo tovarisch!
У меня коллега такой недавно купил, тормоза совсем не тормозят, но я думаю, они должны приработаться некоторое время.
Осталось дождаться, когда он появится в наших австрийских декатлонах. появляются очень редко и сразу уходят :(

[wisllayvitrio]

I'm about 2 weeks trying to buy this bike and but there are none available. Can't wait to get my hands on y first road bike.

[sachinwadhwani]

Nice review. This is going to be my next bike 👍

[st]

Seriously considering this bike, but they only have the 500 in stock; great value, but I'd love to have the higher spec of the 520

[martinreed]

Cool review! I have the Triban 500 and love it. What bike computer do you use?

[lifeisastruggle]

I was thinking of switching to carbon rims and wondering if you have any tips on carbonfiber rims?
also thought to change the handlebar and the stem to carbon all to make the bike as light weight as possible.

[carmine]

Good video, thank you for sharing.
My idea is to do the same as you've done but i have a question: what do you think if i buy a 520 RC 'Flat Bar' and change this one with a gravel bar? Is it the same that doing on a RC 520?