Carrera Family Questions.......

[*Dusty*]

Are they consdidered an OK bike for the money? I see conflicting reviews, specifically on the Virtuoso 2012 model. Some say yay, others say nay it's lower specced than previous models.

Basically I want a road bike, not too earth shatteringly expensive, which i can commute 10 miles each way on, fit cyclocross ish tyres to for a little bit of comfort while not sacrificing too much in the way of speed. I'd looked at the Virtuoso, and yes I'm as deep as a puddle, because I preferred the colours to the TDF and I can get it when they have it on offer from £500 to £360.

My problem is that the LBS in my town are both ridiculous with a tiny range to choose from and people who are telling me that whatever they say will be fine. There's no talk of fitting, sizing or what they're fitted with, which gearsets they're using or anything else and while Chain reaction are based in NI they're still a good 35 miles each way from me so not exactly round the corner either, plus as mentioned I'm not looking at spending a fortune.......

Anyone got thoughts or advices?? Thanks!!!

 

[Hip Priest]

I've got a 2011 Virtuoso, which I absolutely adore. Cracking entry-level road bike for the cyclist on a budget.

 

[sabian92]

I've got a 2011 Virtuoso, which I absolutely adore. Cracking entry-level road bike for the cyclist on a budget.

As have I - Love it. Can't say anything bad about it, apart from I've managed to scratch mine (although that's not a bike problem, that's me being clumsy!). If i'm really picky - the bar tape is too thin, but that's just me being pedantic. The tyres are a bit naff too but you said about cx tyres anyway so that's neither here nor there. Beware though - fitting a rack is a royal pain in the hole. Took me about an hour and a half, and you might need one of these too: http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=19012

The 2012 is lower specced than the 2011 - I'm not sure how, I haven't read up on it but if you can, see if you can get a lightly used 2011 model. You'll probably get it for £200, with higher specced stuff on it and it's still basically brand new. I do like the new 2012 colours though....

 

[ultraviolet]

i only buy Carrera bikes, great value for money.

be carefull trying to put cyclocross-ish tyres on a Virtuoso as the frame clearance by the bottom bracket is very tight.

i would choose the Carrera Subway or Gryphon for commuting on, there much more hardy in the british winters

 

[*Dusty*]

I have a subway, put some continental road tyres on and made a big difference. Was looking a road specific bike too

 

[cyberknight]

I have a older virtuoso and its a great bike for the money , the new one is still good and the carrera range in general offer very good spec for the money compared to other brands although online retailers are getting closer .If you need help with bike fit and spec you might find halfords a bit hit or miss dependent on the staff in the store as some are better than others .

 

[GfromHull]

My spare bike is a carrera TDF, this bike has only one negative and that the tyres, swap them out and it does seem to be bullet proof.

 

[DCLane]

Like others I've an older Virtuoso (red one) which is my winter hack. A seat post rack works, which I've fitted.

It's taken all the abuse I've thrown at it and just keeps going on a 10+ mile each way commute every day.

 

[Muttley]

I had the 2011 Carrera Vanquish and I loved it but a bus smacked it and if they still sold it I would have bought again with no doubts but the 2012 model was more money and lower spec

 

[*Dusty*]

I see they are now doing a Ltd edition Virtuoso which looks nice but for an extra couple of hundred quid the boardman pro looks like a good bet too.

 

[ultraviolet]

I see they are now doing a Ltd edition Virtuoso which looks nice but for an extra couple of hundred quid the boardman pro looks like a good bet too.

i would wait a few weeks and the Virtuoso will go half-price

 

[*Dusty*]

i would wait a few weeks and the Virtuoso will go half-price

I see the standard one has dropped already to £399 from £499.

I was in looking at one again yesterday, the staff were completely useless. I asked the difference between the TDF and the Virtuoso, guy looked me in the eye and said "colours basically"

 

[sabian92]

I see the standard one has dropped already to £399 from £499.

I was in looking at one again yesterday, the staff were completely useless. I asked the difference between the TDF and the Virtuoso, guy looked me in the eye and said "colours basically"

Is this a bad time to say I got a 2011 for £299?

You should have hit him with the spec sheets and told him to read them. I thought my Halfords were bad but yours just seem lackadaisical!

 

[*Dusty*]

Is this a bad time to say I got a 2011 for £299?

You should have hit him with the spec sheets and told him to read them. I thought my Halfords were bad but yours just seem lackadaisical!

Yes, yes it would be a bad time to say that........

I told the assistant i had changed the tyres on my hybrid to more road biased ones and he asked me if they made a difference. He wasn't able to tell me if the Virtuoso could take mudguards, his solution was to wear a jacket with a hood. I sh*t you not.

 

[DCLane]

I told the assistant i had changed the tyres on my hybrid to more road biased ones and he asked me if they made a difference. He wasn't able to tell me if the Virtuoso could take mudguards, his solution was to wear a jacket with a hood. I sh*t you not.

Can we ask which Halfords it is?

My advice ... get it from Halfords when they have a proper sale (not £100 off) and DON'T GO BACK!