Do I? Don't I?

[Janeyb]

OK. Talk me out of it! Persuade me this would be a total waste of money!

I have always been a mountain biker first and foremost! However, since buying my new MTB earlier this year, I have slicked up my very old Carrera which I now use for commuting. I was stunned at the difference slicks made and so now I use the Carrera for longer rides and am probably going to start doing some light touring. I am finding that I am enjoying the road rides on the Carrera more and more…….and although I am broke, I looked at the Giant FCR 3 at the weekend. It’s lovely. To cut a very long story short, I could get it for around £280 on Cyclexpress at the moment as hubbie has been offered a further discount on any purchases.

What should I do? Will I notice that much difference? I only want it for road rides around Norfolk – hopefully doing 50 miles ish on a day ride. It is worth the money or should I give the touring a go first and see if I like that in which case a proper tourer bike would maybe be a better investment (as not sure the Carrera will be up to the job!).

Tell me ‘NO’. Please?!?

 

[frog]

NO!

Now thats got that out of the way you can go out and buy it!

 

[marinyork]

Sounds good No

 

[yello]

Do not buy one under any circumstances.

 

[Cycling Naturalist]

Definitely no. I was in the same position a few years ago trying to convert an MTB into a road bike and I ended up going out and getting a road bike and having a wonderful time on it. You wouldn't want to end up like me would you?

 

[wafflycat]

How tall are you JaneyB? If you're not too far off 5'6" you're similar to me and you're more than welcome to pop over to my place & try out tourer/road bike/recumbent...

 

[wafflycat]

FWIW, my default bike for pootles round Norfolk is my tourer.

 

[Fab Foodie]

NO

Before long you'll know it was the wrong decision as you start eyeing-up drop-barred carbon race-bikes...

 

[Keith Oates]

On NO account should you turn down the chance of the FCR3!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[rich p]

Does the FCR take a rack? You'll probably need one even if it's only light touring.

 

[wafflycat]

Does the FCR take a rack? You'll probably need one even if it's only light touring.

On my roadbike, if I'm using that for a full day ride, I use one of these and one of the specific bags for it. It's ideal. On my tourer I have a 'proper' rear rack and then use 'proper' panniers or a more substantial racktop bag.

 

[TheDoctor]

AFAICR FRCs do take racks.
Not the best bet for everything-including-kitchen-sink touring, but for lightweight hotel or youth-hostel based tours they should be OK.

 

[rich p]

On my roadbike, if I'm using that for a full day ride, I use one of these and one of the specific bags for it. It's ideal. On my tourer I have a 'proper' rear rack and then use 'proper' panniers or a more substantial racktop bag.

Does it not have braze ons for a proper rack, Waffly?

 

[wafflycat]

Does it not have braze ons for a proper rack, Waffly?

No it's a road (race) bike. My tourer does have though, hence it has a traditional rack on it.

 

[rich p]

No it's a road (race) bike. My tourer does have though, hence it has a traditional rack on it.

That's what I thought but FWIW my Spesh Allez has got braze ons although I don't know how it would ride with a rack and panniers. It would also cost more than £290