Checking out one of the cheapest drop bar road bikes in the UK!
On this channel, I usually build bikes piece by piece, often using cheaper components from AliExpress and other direct to consumer Chinese brands, but this time, I wanted to try a different angle. What happens when you just buy a complete box bike for £399?
SIROKO CLOTHING – 10% off (automatically applied via link below):
https://srko.co/tracevelo
In this video, I take a closer look at one of the cheapest complete road bikes I’ve come across in the UK, and break down exactly what you’re getting for the money. From the aluminium frame and finishing kit, to the 2x drivetrain, Sensah groupset, and overall build quality, because at this price point, there are always compromises.
Why it’s interesting:
A £399 road bike undercuts pretty much everything you’ll find from the big brands, especially on the UK high street. But unlike a lot of the budget stuff I cover, this isn’t a pile of parts from AliExpress…Iit’s a ready-to-ride bike from a physical shop in London.
Disclosure:
I forgot to include it in the episode, but I did get this bike sent over for review, however I am not being paid by V-Ride or Sunpeed to make this content. If you end up buying a bike and use my discount code, this is how I make a small commission 🙂
Check out their bikes below, and if you use my code ‘Tracevelo5’ you’ll get 5% off.
Website:
https://vride.co.uk
Contact:
info@vride.co.uk
Timestamps:
00:00 – Intro
00:57 – Unboxing and setup
02:26 – Bike reveal and weight
03:21 – Specs
03:51 – Weight
05:23 – First ride impressions
06:49 – Fixing a shifting issue
09:16 – Good stuff & compromises
12:34 – What about Decathlon?
16:01 – Bonus clip
Intro roll:
Created by Dev Joshi – http://www.go2dev.co.uk
Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/tracevelo/
Email:
tracevelouk@gmail.com
Please note:
I am not a professionally trained bike mechanic. There can be risks associated with using products that are unbranded, untested, or come from sources where the provenance is unknown. Please talk to a qualified bike mechanic if you are in any doubt.
In essence, be careful, do your research, and cycle safe!!!
32 Comments
Who thinks of the names for these Chinese bikes!!!
rear hub says "NO 105"
My son peed his pants when he heard the price…Honestly, a set of Gp5000s and some half decent legs and this can keep up with anything. Nice work to that chap importing them.
Guess what bearings top end wheels from Shimano, Campagnolo and Fulcrum use? Cup and cone.
Here in Peru, that's one of the leading brands in terms of value for money, although a few years ago they had problems with the bottom bracket welding cracking. I had that problem myself with a Sunpeed One two months after buying it, but luckily the distributor seemed to be aware of the issue and replaced it without much hassle. Unfortunately, that bike was stolen right after I finished upgrading it, but it was a good base for improvements, nice-looking and eye-catching.
I work in China a lot. I bought a BROSS Vagabond 5 plus for $2000 CDN$ with a full 105 group set, with carbon frame/wheels/bars. The bike is great, hammered it all winter on a trainer and now just getting out on the roads. Bought it at the local Trek store in China. The guys at the store pushed me in that direction…. because something similar in the Trek lineup was more than double the price like a Trek Domane Carbon.
So, just another “Vilano”?
Sunpeed! Everyone’s dream bike brand here on Philippines back in the days
Maybe the hanger was slightly off
luke by the time you upgrade that ,you would have a decent bike
The frame looks nice, upgrade the rear derailleur, and you got a decent bike
Great review as usual. Love your recorded answers. Nice touch!!!
I can't get past the name, lol. Sun…peed…
It looks like they have some fairly reasonable gravel options. Good weather for that discipline next week!
Hi Luke, what size tyre will it take?
Yes Luke Pathpeddler, the (SRAM) Force would of been strong (option) for this bike 😅
What the rin model? Is Aliexpress?
I like to use Pedro's Syn Lube on cables. Sliiiick.
Sad to see these UK YTs advertising cheap Chinese brands, they probably can’t remember the bustling UK cycle industry which employed thousands of jobs and income for the economy
Recommending an upgrade on the cranks makes sense but technically upgrading to a crankset with an external bottom bracket is almost always going to mean a crankset with the chainrings spaced for 9 or 10 speed or higher chain. Might be noisy or cause problems with the 8 speed chain. I think I'd buy a used Shimano 600 tricolor crankset or an older Dura Ace crankset, or even an old Ritchey octalink or square taper crankset. I suppose the silver would clash with the color scheme but Shimano 600 cranks are unstoppable, and octalink Ritchey cranks are available in black (and even in a 110 bcd).
Lol I think I have the same washing machine as you 0:50
For £36 more you can get 2×8 Shimano Claris, with Tektro mechanical disc brakes, from Halfords. The carrera frame looks decent too. I’d rather go with Shimano and Tektro disc brakes than Sensah (which will be trickier to get your local bike shop to get parts for and service) and unheard of rim brakes.
"kind of pedals" 😆I'd buy one if I could have the logo changed to "Sun Pee'd". What a pile of rubbish.
Why did you buy a 53 cm frame instead of a 58? Are you planning on giving it to someone who is smaller?
Be careful if you see one of these at your crit race; at that price point they will risk wrecking their bike if it means getting an advantage. And if he wipes you out in the process, even if he loses, you lose more.
One thing with square taper is to check torque unless the are side specific. I had the left (non-drive) come lose and it would do so no matter the amount of torque applied.
And that's going to be one very bright studio! Glad you are using skylights.
To peed or not to peed that is the question 😂😂
But in all honesty it's great to have a bike company that makes a basic entry bike for all
I had the Sunpeed Mars, which is a step above the Triton as it has a carbon fork rather than aluminum and I had it upgraded to a full Shimano 105 groupset and it was such a nice bike to ride. I only upgraded to a different frame to use wider tires (28mm then and now to a 40mm) because I'm such a heavy guy and 25mm @ 100psi wasn't doing it for me anymore.
速比特终于出现了
Thank you Luke. That was nice bike for that price
Sunpeed Triton is my first roadbike. Had it since 2021. I've changed the crankset to hollow type spider, carbon fibre fork and shimano 105 groupset with Sensah Empire Shifters. 380mm aluminium handlebar. Sealed bearing light weight aluminum rims. Really changed the way the bike handles overall. It still is my regular training bike. Robust and reliable.
Here in Malaysia it's not exactly popular, but it's the entry level roadbike. I even bought another used Sunpeed Triton frame for my son and build up a complete roadbike for him.
Trying to figure out what brand of gloves, you were using Luke? 🥖