Titanium gravel bikes on test: The Triban GRVL 900 - you have to be able to afford it at a favourable price
Jens Klötzer
· 01.04.2024
In this article, we use so-called affiliate links. With every purchase through these links, we receive a commission from the merchant. All relevant referral links are marked with . Learn more.
The French sporting goods giant is shaking up the market - not only for MTBs and road bikes, but also for gravel bikes. In addition to unbeatably low prices, Decathlon now also offers impressive quality, as our new test report shows. At first glance, the Triban GRVL 900 looks sensational: a gravel bike with a titanium frame and high-quality components at a price of € 2999, which is the lowest price for framesets in this segment. On closer inspection, the expert is even more astonished, as the frame is made from high-quality Italian Dedacciai tubes and, according to the sticker on the seat tube, is even welded in Italy.
Triban GRVL 900: High-quality material with an average finish
On closer inspection, however, it becomes apparent that some areas have been skimped on. The weld seams are not even and there are occasional burrs - a sign that speed was prioritised over care in production and hardly any improvements were made. Although the frame is stable and straight, it is not very visually appealing and is also quite heavy: at almost two kilograms, it is almost the heaviest in the comparison, only surpassed by the Chirp Chirp. The bike itself, equipped with functional but rather heavy parts from the lower middle class, clearly breaks the ten-kilogram mark.
The Triban is less suitable for sporty riding, as the riding position is very upright - even if you reverse the stem. However, it is ideal for relaxed rides and excursions. The bike remains stable on its track and is not easily rattled, even at high speeds, and thanks to its high rigidity it feels pleasantly safe. The saddle is particularly comfortable compared to other bikes.
Shimano GRX with large gear steps
The equipment works reliably and without any problems, but a closer look at the Triban GRVL 900 reveals some minor flaws: the eleven-speed gearbox has relatively large gaps between the gears, the cheaper brake discs do not brake as powerfully as the Shimano GRX brakes could, and the Hutchinson tyres are not as flexible as the quality tyres on the other bikes. The very slippery own-brand saddle and the slippery handlebar tape should also be replaced. However, all these points hardly diminish the impressive price advantage - provided you ignore the fact that comparable high-quality aluminium frames can still be cheaper and lighter.
Facts and figures about the Triban GRVL 900
- Note: 2,7
- Price: 2999 Euro >> available here
- Weight of complete wheel: 10.4 kilos
- Frame sizes: XS, S, M, L, XL (test size greased)
Geometry
- Seat/top/head tube: 525/575/176 millimetres
- Stack/Reach/STR: 611/388 millimetres/1.57
- Stack+/Reach+/STR+: 685/546 millimetres/1.20
- Wheelbase/caster: 1040/74 millimetres
Equipment
- Drive/gear shift: Miranda/Shimano GRX 600/812 (1x11; 40, 11-42 t.) | Grade: 3.0
- Brakes: Shimano GRX 400/600 (160/160 mm) | Grade: 1.5
- Tyres: Hutchinson Touareg 40 mm (eff.: 41 mm) | Grade: 3.0
- Impellers: Fulcrum Rapid Red 900
- Impeller weights: 1772/2391 grams (front/rear)
Advantages and disadvantages
- Plus: Extremely favourable, lifetime guarantee
- Minus: heavy, moderately processed, only one equipment option, components with detail weaknesses
More titanium gravel bikes from our test:
Jens Klötzer
Editor
