Is a used Triban RC120 at €250 worth it?

Identify the bike before comparing prices

Ask for the exact model, frame size, approximate year and clear photos. “Triban RC120” alone leaves important details unresolved. Decathlon documents a disc version and also refers to a version without discs.

The documented RC120 Disc, reference 8619132, has an aluminium frame and a carbon-aluminium fork. Its Microshift transmission has two chainrings and eight rear sprockets. The disc brakes are mechanical, operated by cables, not hydraulic.

Those specifications describe that reference, not every bike advertised as an RC120. Replaced parts and other versions can differ. Compare the seller’s photos with the model before assuming what is included.

Start with fit, not the discount

Get the frame size before arranging a trip. Use Decathlon’s size guide for the exact model, then try the bike. Height alone cannot settle fit; leg length, reach and comfort matter too.

On a safe test ride, check whether you can comfortably reach the brake levers. If the frame is wrong for you, pass. A lower asking price does not fix the size.

Check condition in person

• Frame and fork. Look for cracks, dents and signs of impact. Ask about crashes. If structural damage is suspected, do not ride; ask a qualified mechanic to inspect it.
• Wheels and tyres. Spin both wheels and watch for wobble. Look for damaged tyres, loose spokes and play at the hubs.
• Brakes. Test front and rear separately in a safe area. Inspect cables and the relevant pads. A lever that moves does not prove the brake works properly.
• Gears and chain. Shift through the gears on the test ride. Listen for skipping or rubbing. Have chain wear checked if you cannot assess it yourself.
• History and provenance. Ask what was serviced, when, and for any receipts. Request purchase documentation and clarify unexplained inconsistencies before paying.

This is a screening checklist, not a mechanical inspection or an authentication. Clean paint and a seller’s mileage claim cannot establish the bike’s condition.

Compare the total cost

Add the asking price to a repair quote for the faults you actually find. Do not invent a repair allowance from a photograph. Compare that total with available bikes of the same version, size and condition.

Advertised prices show what sellers ask, not what buyers paid. Accessories and recent servicing matter only when they are useful and verifiable. If the seller cannot clarify major defects or provenance, leave the listing.

Before travelling, ask: “What size and version is it? Any crashes, worn parts or recent servicing?” If the answers are useful, inspect it. If not, keep looking.