A bargain road bike

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rugbyluke

Senior Member
Hi everyone, if like me you are on a small budget for a road bike then I recommend a Viking torino. I purchased one of these in sept last year and can't get enough of the thing. It keeps up with exspensive bikes and seems to have the same parts as more pricy bikes. People who have had a go on my bike can't tell much difference between my bike and there ££££ bikes. So save yourself some dosh. There on eBay for about 300ish
 

Smokin Joe

Legendary Member
Weighs 26.2 lbs.

Give it to a cyclist to try and he will be able to tell the difference.
 

frank9755

Cyclist
Location
West London
Viking bikes have zero cred with cycling snobs so you, as long as you don't mind that you will get a bike that would cost you 50%+ more with a big brand name on it.

I've bought a couple of Vikings (including a tandem) and they have been fine: decent frames with good quality entry level / mid-range components.

I've not seen your particular model but, based on my personal experience with Vikings, would recommend it as something to put on the list for someone looking for a first decent bike on a budget. Glad you are enjoying it!
 
It may compare well to other alu frames but compare it to a carbon and you will see the difference. I tried 3 different carbon bikes, all around £2000 at the weekend and could tell a difference betweeen each one.

Main thing perhaps is you're happy and if someone gets what they feel is a bargain from your post then it's all good.
 

zexel

Veteran
Location
Cambs
It may compare well to other alu frames but compare it to a carbon and you will see the difference. I tried 3 different carbon bikes, all around £2000 at the weekend and could tell a difference betweeen each one.

Main thing perhaps is you're happy and if someone gets what they feel is a bargain from your post then it's all good.

Can I ask what the difference was?
 

Holdsworth

Über Member
Location
Crewe, Cheshire
Weighs 26.2 lbs.

Give it to a cyclist to try and he will be able to tell the difference.

It is not that bad, my 531 road bike weighs about the same with no luggage on and I have a great time riding it (when it's working mind!!!). That bike is only probably only 3 kilos more than a higher spec cycle costing quite a few quid more. I also suspect that any attachments you may add, luggage or variations in body weight will make much more of a difference than a sub 5kg increase in frame weight.
 
Hi everyone, if like me you are on a small budget for a road bike then I recommend a Viking torino. I purchased one of these in sept last year and can't get enough of the thing. It keeps up with exspensive bikes and seems to have the same parts as more pricy bikes. People who have had a go on my bike can't tell much difference between my bike and there ££££ bikes. So save yourself some dosh. There on eBay for about 300ish

Rugbyluke, fair play for finding what you want, which does what you want at a price you can afford (if that was a consideration).

As long as it suits you, don't worry about the name on the down tube.

:thumbsup:
 
Can I ask what the difference was?

Hi Zexel - very happy to share - especially if it saves you or anyone else time when looking at bikes. It's not a quick process when visiting a shop I found.

Current bike - alu frame / carbon front fork Terry Dolan frame that is 5-6 years old with Fulcrum Racing 7 wheels. Until a few months ago I didn't know that carbon takes out a lot of the bumps that I feel. For more than one reason I am going for the Trek 4.7 even though I didn't intend looking at them cos I am a bit of a snob, they put their name 12+ times on the frame and I've respect but not a lot of love for Armstrong. The bikes I tried out on roads that had rough and smooth surfaces and aimed for small holes deliberately - the differences in their ride are:

Willier Mortirolo - Did a decent job of taking out bumps but managed to be hard too. Then I am told it is more of a race bike and it kind of makes sense.
Spesh Tarmac SL3 - Rode the SL2 (my budget) that a friend has but only on his drive so thought I may like this. It was very stiff and probably faster than some as a result but the number of bumps I could feel reminded me too much of my current bike.
Spesh Roubaix Expert - The Expert was above my budget but available to try - the contrast to the SL3 was huge, it was almost comparable to the titanium I tried last year - which had felt like it put a thin layer of rubber between me and the road. Though I could feel some stiffness too.
Trek Madone 5.2 & 4.7 - Compared to the 2 Specialized the Trek was in the middle. I tried the 5.2 as they had one in close to my size (I am 6'3") and a week later a 4.7, which I am buying. They felt very similar to each other which Trek say they aim to do throughout the range; took out a lot of bumps entirely - a lot more comfortable than the Tarmac and not quite as cushioned as the Roubaix but similar.
Scott CR1 Pro - I tried this towards the end of last year so from memory would say it is closest to the Treks. It felt twitchy too - though a friend has a 5-6 year old CR1 which he says is twitchy, this could mostly if not entirely be due to the fact that it was a 56cm and I need 60cm.

The comfort from the ride and set up is important to me as I don't intend to ever race and want to do more and longer sportives and have some real niggles in my neck. I am also buying the 4.7 because of other reasons including liking the shop and the guy who served me, his knowledge and how he will set the bike up for me. I am not knowledgeable enough to have confidence in how I would do the latter. Such as when I got back from trying a Trek the first time he changed the stem length. I didn't like the feel when I got out of the saddle, it didn't feel stable - he said it would be down to weight distribution and I felt overstretched - he was right the bike changed hugely for the better.

Hope that helps.
 
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zexel

Veteran
Location
Cambs
Wow. Thanks for that.

I ask, because I have a Trek 2.3 (2010) and when looking to buy was considering a carbon frame as opposed to an Alu with carbon forks.

I am really happy with it but after reading your post, I will make sure NOT to try a carbon frame otherwise I may not feel not so happy about mine :biggrin:

Actually getting back to the OP, as long as were happy with what we've got is the main thing. (as I go off to look at carbon frames, damn you fletch456 :biggrin:)
 
Wow. Thanks for that.

I ask, because I have a Trek 2.3 (2010) and when looking to buy was considering a carbon frame as opposed to an Alu with carbon forks.

I am really happy with it but after reading your post, I will make sure NOT to try a carbon frame otherwise I may not feel not so happy about mine :biggrin:

Actually getting back to the OP, as long as were happy with what we've got is the main thing. (as I go off to look at carbon frames, damn you fletch456 :biggrin:)

That last line made me chuckle. If you fancy looking at Trek again and can wait a short while and happy to travel to Milton Keynes, Trek are opening their first concept store there soon. I know cos I am buying from East Street Cycles, Farnham and it will be their shop and think it may be within next month or 2 - Trek aren't really that interested in the retail side of things and mostly it will just be their name above the door. First time I've been there never mind bought from them and I've been very happy. If you want I can find out when the concept store in MK is opening for you.

Apart from them am sure you know shops in your area but know friends have gone to Twenty3c in Stony Stratford near MK and been very happy, particularly with their bike fitting. They stock Scott and Orbea.

That said I imagine alu frames vary too so you may find you aren't so badly off (eg compared to comfort I have) when you try some carbon out.
 

zexel

Veteran
Location
Cambs
I've actually taken quite a liking to the Trek 4.7.

Went local bike shop yesterday and guess what they had in the flesh, yep the 4.7, I like....a lot.

I must resist, I must resist :biggrin:
 

mcshroom

Bionic Subsonic
I must resist, I must resist :biggrin:

Resistance is futile
borg.gif


:biggrin:
 
I've actually taken quite a liking to the Trek 4.7.

Went local bike shop yesterday and guess what they had in the flesh, yep the 4.7, I like....a lot.

I must resist, I must resist :biggrin:

:-D I got it on Saturday and it's temporarily in my kitchen and have touched it more than once in a way that could be categorised and fondling!

Serious tip - if you really want to resist - say things like I will wait til mm/yy and my current bike is all I need. Positive statements of that sort make it easier say the psychologists.

Grrreat bike though :-)

Just come back to edit and add...did you ride it? Though that may be all barriers broken when you have.
 
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