carerra virigo

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GlenBen

Über Member
So after plodding along on my current bike for the past 2 years almost, Ive finally saved enough to buy myself something nice. Compared to what im using, anything should feel good, its basically 'custom built' by myself, 3 rubbish bikes merged into one very rubbish bike by taking the best components from each. But anyway...

Has anyone ridden or heard much about the carerra cirigo? When they came out there was a lot of hype and criticism in equal measure but im struggling to find any real information from anywhere.

Or can you do better for the same price or less? 1k is the absolute limit, though that is purely for the bike, I have all the accessories/tools I can see myself needing.
 

cyberknight

As long as I breathe, I attack.
They got a good review from C+ and i know at least 1 member here has one but for my money i would rather get the 1 k boardman , i know its an alloy frame but it has better gears, wheels , etc .
A well made and specced ally bike is better than a entry level carbon bike built to a price.
 
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GlenBen

GlenBen

Über Member
I had already ruled out the 1k boardman purely because I dont like the looks. Ive not however ruled out the model below. I saw yours on the photos section and have considered doing something similar. If I could get it slightly cheaper in a 'sale' and have a little left over for upgrades/ personal touches. How do you find the sram? Ive only ever ridden on shmiano but I imagine theyre pretty much the same?
 
I have a Virago? Any questions then feel free to ask.

I also use a Boardman Hybrid Pro for commuting duties - so have daily experience of the SRAM to Shimano scenario (try saying that 3 times fast!!). Personally I don't find it an issue - but then I'm moving from gear shifters integrated into the brake levers to underbar shifters - so there's a definate distinction. I've heard others mention reach problems when using the SRAM integrated shifters.
 

cyberknight

As long as I breathe, I attack.
Sram use a slightly different method of shifting called double tap where you press the lever 1 click for up shift and further in to down shift , once you have a couple of goes it is easy enough.
Sram Apex is supposed to be the equivilant of 105 in terms of weight etc and i find the hood shape comfy and the reach better for my hands than the sora shifters which i ride on my other bike.The best biit for me about apex is it comes as standard with an 11-32 cassette so you can literally spin up any hill with ease but you can change it to a narrower range if you have the legs .
With regards to upgrades the road comp i ride has the same wheels as the 1k virago although it has a standard external bottom bracket rather than bb30, imho unless your a pro i doubt you will ever notice the difference and i have heard some people do not like bb 30 .The rest of the spec is pretty much the same so if you wanted to upgrade the best thing would be to spend the money on a better wheel set like the askiums the 1k boardman uses or soem fulcrum racing wheels.
I recently changed the wheels on mine to shimano r501s with bladed spokes i got from ribble for less than £70 and they do look nice :smile:
 

cyberknight

As long as I breathe, I attack.
I have a Virago? Any questions then feel free to ask.

I also use a Boardman Hybrid Pro for commuting duties - so have daily experience of the SRAM to Shimano scenario (try saying that 3 times fast!!). Personally I don't find it an issue - but then I'm moving from gear shifters integrated into the brake levers to underbar shifters - so there's a definate distinction. I've heard others mention reach problems when using the SRAM integrated shifters.
sram have a built in adjuster for reach.
 
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GlenBen

GlenBen

Über Member
I suppose the main thing I wanted to know was how the frame is. If it feels like itll last and if its well made. I do look after my bikes well and itd be cared for, bit if its as shoddy as people have said, albeit people who dont own one, I thought I should maybe go for a different material. I do need something thatll last as unfortunatly im in no financial position to be replacing bikes every few years.
 
I suppose the main thing I wanted to know was how the frame is. If it feels like itll last and if its well made. I do look after my bikes well and itd be cared for, bit if its as shoddy as people have said, albeit people who dont own one, I thought I should maybe go for a different material. I do need something thatll last as unfortunatly im in no financial position to be replacing bikes every few years.
OK - well I bought mine last year and have stuck about 2k miles on it. I'm not riding it outside at the moment (it's sat on the turbo) - but I cleaned it down post hibernation and there were no problems. No abrassions, cracks, wear etc.. It still looks like new. The only thing you do need to watch for is cable rub on the frame (but this is a problem with all carbon bikes) and this is easily fixed with the application of a few lizard skinz patches. The dropouts are reinforced in alloy so there should be no problems if you change wheels regularly either.

A few reviews have mentioned that the back end is quite soft and I'd agree with this to some extent. If you're a steady power rider like me then you won't notice. If you like sprinting and bursts of speed then you will and it might be worth considering something a little stiffer on the back end. Personally my old bones prefer the comfort of something with a little compliance. That doesn't mean it flexes all the time. You do really have to shove some power through the pedals to get this effect. It's not going to start see-sawing every time you reach a hill and get off the saddle (if you do that!)

I had the same dilema as you before I bought. Not many reviews for the Virago and the 1k Boardman gets good scores. I was fortunate in that I got a chance to ride both bikes. For me the Virago just "fit" me and my style of riding better and ultimately that's what you're after.

If you go this route I would recommend changing the tyres almost as soon as. They're OK - but the puncture protection is only adequate. Join British Cycling and you'll get 10% off the current £999 price tag - giving you around £70 to spend on these (after paying the membership fee). I'm going to change the white bar tape for red before the new season too (but these are minor niggles).

The CXP-22 wheels are fine btw. I know reviewers say upgrade and my own experience of different wheels is limited. I won't disagree with the reviewers but that's an upgrade that can be done later if you wish.

And if you have any other questions then feel free to either PM me or just ask on this discussion topic. Another person on here (I think MrMac - or something like that) has one and may be able to add as well.
 
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GlenBen

GlenBen

Über Member
Thanks for all that, very detailed. I like to think I ride at a steady power so hopefully that wouldnt be an issue. I think my main worry is just the lifespan of the frame. I suppose thats a risk with anything though. Im going to pop into a shop at some point this week and see if I can have a look at one. Im sure I can cope with the stock wheels, I dont have huge experience with different sets so they will certainly do me for now at least.

Thanks again for all the answers.
 
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GlenBen

GlenBen

Über Member
Looks nice, a btwin that isnt red. What are the btwin components like though? Brakes etc. The triban seems to get a lot of critics when it comes to the little bits.
 
Thanks for all that, very detailed. I like to think I ride at a steady power so hopefully that wouldnt be an issue. I think my main worry is just the lifespan of the frame. I suppose thats a risk with anything though. Im going to pop into a shop at some point this week and see if I can have a look at one. Im sure I can cope with the stock wheels, I dont have huge experience with different sets so they will certainly do me for now at least.

Thanks again for all the answers.

The virigo/cirigo/Virago frame is almost certainly just an open mould Taiwanese frame and the kit spec looks pretty good. Not actually sure what you mean when you talk about the 'lifespan' of the frame - either way I don't see it as an issue any more than I would with any other frame...
 
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