Review | Triban RC500 Sora

This is my first road bike. Before that I use a hybrid city bike with suspension fork and hydraulic disc brake. This is my personal review. I ride 500+ km.

In Short Pros & Cons

Pros

• It is ~3km/h faster than hybrid bike.
• You can use it like gravel or community bike.
• It have a relax sitting position.
• Carbon suspension is enough for city (I live in Istanbul and we have got potholes).
• Mechanical disc brakes are enough (If you make adjustment sometimes).
• It have holes on frame and fork for bike packing.
• It comes with a small light and cat eyes. It isn’t enough but I like it.

Cons

• It is a bit heavier than regular road bike ~11kg.
• Its stock tires are not very good.
• Gear ratio is not good for hilly areas.
• In general Decathlon accept good reviews but It isn’t accept bad reviews sometimes. This bicycle are good but some products aren’t!

In Long – RC500 Sora

Fork

As I said before I had use a suspension fork before. I live in İstanbul and we have got potholes. I was worried about enter that potholes with rigid fork but carbon forks and drop bars work together very well. I will not return suspension forks again (at least city commuting).

Also it has holes for bike packing.

Brakes

Before that I use hydraulic brakes and they are work perfect. I had read a lot of bad comment about mechanical disc brakes on forums. People just say “even rim brakes are better than mechanical disc”, “mechanical brakes won’t stop”, etc.

From my perspective mechanical disc brakes are OK. They are enough, maybe I apply a bit more force but as a man this is not a problem. You need just know how to adjust the brake calipers.

Frame

• I am 183cm tall. I chose L frame size and I am happy with that.
• Relax geometry
• Holes for bike packing

Wheels

They just ok for that price.

Tires

• They are soft
• They are slip (especially in wet condition)
• They are puncture resist (don’t expect marathon plus performance)
• Some people use bigger tires (gravel style) it is support up to 36mm

Gears

• 50/34 crankset and 11/32 cassette
• It is bad for hilly areas.
• If you add panniers and similar things it becomes more harder.

Accessories That I Use

sks raceblade

It is a fender set. You can attach them to frame with silicon bands.

It is works, but not OK. First of all I was expecting a bit more coverage. Second, most brake cable create some problem when mounting front fender.

elops 500 rack

It is fit. It looks rigid. I didn’t use it soo much for that reason I cannot make mor