Carrera Corsa

[donal]

Hi All. I’m planning a few small modifications to tidy up my Carrera. Bar tape is pretty worn as are the brake cables. Planning to put some black coloured bar tape and white brake cables in to tidy up the appearance. My question is the brake levers are also very worn looking. I’d like to replace them with some black in colour ones. Sorry might sound like a stupid question but what sort of brake levers do I need to go for? Wat to give it a good cleaning too ready for when the weather improves and some spins!

I got the above ideas from that video on youtube regarding the Carrera Epic GT Tony Doyle vintage bike restoration.

Thanks all

 

[Cycleops]

It might be a good idea @donal to start a new thread to get more responses.

 

[biggs682]

@donal glad the Carrera is still getting used.
You want aero style levers something like these. https://georgehallscycles.co.uk/epa...f202-99f3-48ca-823d-63e916b367ab/Products/744

The shop I have tagged are a good proper bike shop they also do some with brown hoods .

 

[donal]

Only getting around to tidying up the Carrera Corsa 14 I have (previously posted picture). Bike has been in storage for the last few months and not used.
White bar tape to be fitted (bike won't be used in wet conditions so not too worried about it getting dirty!) along with white brake cables to replace the existing dated ones along with a new Selle Italia Flite 1990 saddle which arrived today. Seatpost is a little dated looking was thinking a Ritchey Classic Seatpost might look nice and tidy up the look.
Any suggestions/recommendations on a good safe product to give the frame a good clean and try to bring the colours back to life somewhat? I understand due to the age of the bicycle this might not be possible.

Thank you

 

[Tebb1t]

Only getting around to tidying up the Carrera Corsa 14 I have (previously posted picture). Bike has been in storage for the last few months and not used.
White bar tape to be fitted (bike won't be used in wet conditions so not too worried about it getting dirty!) along with white brake cables to replace the existing dated ones along with a new Selle Italia Flite 1990 saddle which arrived today. Seatpost is a little dated looking was thinking a Ritchey Classic Seatpost might look nice and tidy up the look.
Any suggestions/recommendations on a good safe product to give the frame a good clean and try to bring the colours back to life somewhat? I understand due to the age of the bicycle this might not be possible.

Thank you

I had one in brown in the early 90s, with 708 tubing, excellent bike to ride.

 

[donal]

White bar tape, white brake cables and new Selle Italia Flite 1990 saddle added

 

[donal]

I have my eye on a Giant bicycle. Just trying to gauge how much is my Carrera worth if I decide to sell it? Thank you

 

[Drago]

Somewhere in the £75 region, no more than that.

 

[DCLane]

Somewhere in the £75 region, no more than that.

Probably agree, although the saddle is popular and has value.

 

[Drago]

Indeedy. The whole thing is probably worth more broken for parts, although such an ending would be sad.

 

[biggs682]

I have my eye on a Giant bicycle. Just trying to gauge how much is my Carrera worth if I decide to sell it? Thank you

The older Carrera's are strange as they are genuinely nice bikes to ride and not too badly specced all things considered.

But a lot of people are put of by the name and the some times funky paint jobs .

And £75 sounds plausible ISH

 

[Drago]

It's my size too.

I think its worth a tenner.

 

[donal]

Thanks all. At that price I couldn’t justify selling her!
Any thoughts or guide prices on Giant Cadex cfr road bike specifically the cfr-4?
I’m aware they are carbon tubes binded into aluminium lugs. Colour schemes look amazing and I’m guessing would be a better overall bike to the Carrera?

 

[Drago]

Risky. The epoxy bonding doesnt always age well in these alloy/carbon hybrid frames. Likelihood is you'd be OK if you bought with care, but its a real problem and does occur.

Inspection and Integrity RisksLug-Bond Separation:

The epoxy joints connecting the carbon tubes to the aluminum lugs can occasionally debond, which typically presents as creaking under load or visible flaking/cracking in the clear coat around the joints.

Corrosion: Sweat, moisture, or water ingress can cause hidden oxidation or galvanic corrosion inside the aluminum lugs or at the seatpost/bottom bracket junctions.

Impact Damage: Early-generation carbon composite layers are thin and susceptible to localized crushing or splintering from sharp impacts or chain-suck, though the material generally retains structural resilience if undamaged.

How to Check Your FrameThe Tap Test: Gently tap a small coin or the plastic end of a screwdriver along the carbon tubes and near the aluminum joints. A clear, sharp clicking sound indicates solid integrity, whereas a dull or thudding "dead" sound can mean internal delamination or cracking.

Visual Check: Look closely at the edges where the carbon tubes enter the head tube, bottom bracket, and seat cluster. Check for hairline cracks in the paint or white/powdery residue signaling aluminum oxidation beneath.

Stress Test: Apply firm body weight to the pedals, saddle, and handlebars while listening closely for sharp creaks or groans originating from the lug junctions.

 

[biggs682]

Thanks all. At that price I couldn’t justify selling her!

I’m guessing would be a better overall bike to the Carrera?

A few years ago you would have got a lot more but older bike prices have plummeted over the last few years.

You might be surprised by how the Giant rides but the only way of knowing is to try it