Carerra bikes

[Paulwakefield]

Hi, I'm after a new road bike at some point. I used to have a trek 1.2 but funds might not allow something similar this time.

How good are the halfords carerra bikes? The TDF is only around £350 anyone have any experience of this bike? Is it worth it?

Or should I just try and save up and go for a more expensive brand?

Thanks!

 

[PaulSecteur]

Generally, the bikes are good. I never had a problem with my kraken. Although the problem with getting a carrera is the halfords set up lottery. Might be set up perfect, might not...

At that budget a lot of people seem to be going for and very happy with the Decathlon Triban for £300. More likely to come set up right, or fixed if its not.

http://www.decathlon.co.uk/triban-3-id_8167038.html

 

[smokeysmoo]

+1 for the comments of PS there. However, if you decide you really want a TDF you can always ask for it to be left in the box, then set it up yourself, at least you know it'll be right then

 

[Arjimlad]

I had a TDF for a short while which was a little small for me. However, it was a solid bike with no dodgy unreliable components.

Certainly not the lightest around for the money, but it was a smooth solid ride - rather like driving a german car can feel like, if you know what I mean.

I liked it and the chap I sold it to is planning to cycle to work from Malmesbury to Bristol on it sometime soon...

 

[redcard]

Get a 2nd hand TDF on eBay for around £200. You probably won't lose much if you decide to sell it on.


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[DCLane]

I've got a Carrera Virtuoso. It's OK for what it is (paid £100 secondhand) but the Decathlon Triban 3 is also OK. Decathlon in Sheffield stock them.

 

[Slioch]

I've got a Carrera Virtuoso too and, providing it's set up right, it's a pretty decent bike for the money imho. I've always had touring & mountain bikes, but added the Virtuoso to the stable last year because I fancied something a bit "sportier", and it's a lot of fun and pretty versatile.

I think the main difference component-wise between the Virtuoso and the TDF is that the Virtuoso has a compact chainset, so you get a better spread of lower gears if you do a lot of hills or you're not a super fit Roadie.

 

[uphillstruggler]

Decathlon are also selling a Viking for about 400 quid, carbon forks and sora (iam pretty sure ) groupset. Looked pretty reasonable.

 

[Arsen Gere]

If you are an out and out roadie then the Carrera TDF will be a bit of a disappointment. If it's a work/winter/run about bike then it should be fine. You get what you pay for.
Mine has done around 4000 miles or so, some long runs on it around 100 miles too. I changed the cranks because pedals are too wide apart for me, more like an MTB than road bike. The rear cassette started to make a cracking noise so I binned it. I gave the pedals away and put on SPD's. I've had two chains. The wheels are OK but the rear has a lot of bearing play on it. It weighs around 28lb (medium). I put my own saddle on it. I changed the fitting on the seat pin as the one supplied was mild steel and weighed a ton compared to a scrap one I had. It's had two new tyres too.

It's getting like Triggers' brush.

Googling "Trek 1.2 bike", shows some coming in at 499, IMHO its a different world for 150 pounds.

 

[swampyseifer]

if you decide you really want a TDF you can always ask for it to be left in the box, then set it up yourself, at least you know it'll be right then

You clearly never read my thread in the Beginners forum where I spent hours trying to put the brake pads on upside down!

I had a Carerra Velour...there was nothing particularly wrong with it, the gear changer on the front needed to be tweaked by their staff as it was put on at an angle and the chain was rubbing against it and if I went to fast it skipped off the sprocket...other than that, it was perfectly fine, I'm sure whoever stole it is having no problems either!

 

[smokeysmoo]

You clearly never read my thread in the Beginners forum where I spent hours trying to put the brake pads on upside down!

You're right, I didn't You could still buy it boxed and get your LBS to build it for you if that's the bike you want. I know some Halfords are reported to be ok, but my local ones are staffed by various inanimate sub species, none of whom I'd trust with my Daughters Barbie bike, let alone either of my own.
Remember as well that YouTube is your friend in all matters of a fettling nature. There are loads of videos on every bike related subject you could care to mention. Some are far better than others, but the good ones can be a true God send. I still refer to one about wrapping bar tape sometimes even though I've wrapped countless bars countless times

 

[cyberknight]

I commute on virtuoso and for the money it is a good bike, it has done many duties from the depths of winter to summer club runs and even a sportive , just bought a new rear wheel after a good 8000 miles on it .
If i was in the market to buy a new entry level road bike i would be looking at the triban 3 , carbon forks are the clincher for me with similar spec kit to the vituoso and cheaper.