First Bike Thread #349834. Which of these three?

[legburn]

I know you have a lot of these types of threads on here, and, quite frankly, as a newbie I feel I should do my part and litter the forum with another one. It's only fair that I should annoy you all as much as everybody else! My future, more experienced self sends his apologies for the raft of silly questions in the rest of this post. That's the disclaimer out of the way, I'll get on with an intro and a couple of questions about the bikes I've looked at.

The fact I'm turning 30 [insert sound of dread] this year has hit me fairly hard: I should be doing more for my body and mind, so I'm primarily looking to start riding get in shape, both in terms of general fitness and to lose some timber, but also for the secondary benefit I'm hoping it can have on my mind; just being out on my own, with space to think, and a little time for some mental calmness would be a welcome break from my daily routine of web-design, coding, and reading for a politics degree. I'd love to hear from anybody who enjoys that side of things (the mental calmness, not the politics degree!).

As a teen, right up 'til my early 20s, I rode a mountain bike wherever I went. Living out in the sticks, as I did then, meant it was the only way I could get around. Doing 10 miles to see a mate, play a game of football for six hours, then doing 10 miles back would seem, well, just part of the day. I'd not be able to do that now I'm 'ripening'; things change and bellies and arses grow. With that in mind, I've been looking for something that's not going to wilt after a couple of rides. I should also mention that, at 6ft 3in, I'm not a tiny fellow.

However, I'm serious about finding a new hobby, and one that'll keep me fit. I don't want to spend too much yet. If I get the bug, and I can feel it taking ahold already, I'll definitely upgrade to something with full carbon frame and forks, and all the accoutrements that come with it. For now, though, I'm looking at around £350 quid on the bike. I'm sure that'll make some of the more experienced guys shriek in pain.

As it stands, I'm looking at three Carreras, details and links as follows, ranked in order of likely purchase (so far):

1. Carrera Virtuoso Race Ltd Edition 2012. Price £600 £315 (with voucher).

Specs:

• Approximate Weight (KG): 11.7
• Brake Type: Calliper Brakes
• Cassette: 12-26T
• Chainset: Shimano FCA050 52/39 / Prowheel
• Forks: Hi-Tensile Straight Blade
• Frame Colour: White
• Frame Material: Aluminium
• Frame-: Lightweigh 6061 aluminium
• Front Brake: Tektro alloy calliper brake
• Front Mech: Shimano FD-A050
• Gear Shifters: Shimano ST-2300
• Gender: Mens
• Handle Bars: Drop
• Headset: Semi Integrated
• Number of Gears: 16
• Pedals: Road pedals with toe clips
• Rear Brake: Tektro alloy calliper brake
• Rear Mech: Shimano RD-2300
• Rims: Lightweight double wall alloy
• Saddle: Carrera branded
• Seatpost: Alloy 300mm x 27.2mm
• Stem: Alloy
• Suspension: Rigid
• Tyre size: 23c
• Tyres: Kenda road tyre
• Wheel size: 700c
• Exact Frame Size: 51cm
• Frame Size (cm): 51 - 52

2. Carrera Virtuoso Road Bike 2011/2012. Price £500 £387

Specs:

• Brake Type: Calliper Brakes
• Chainset: FSA Tempo Compact chainset 50/34T
• Exact Frame Size: 54cm
• Forks: Chromoly straight blades
• Frame Colour: Pearl White & Blue
• Frame Material: Aluminium
• Frame Size (cm): 53 - 54
• Frame-: Lightweight 6061 T6 aluminium frame
• Front Brake: Tektro alloy calliper brake
• Front Mech: Shimano FD-2300
• Gear Shifters: Shimano ST-2300
• Gender: Mens
• Handle Bars: Drop
• Headset: Semi integrated
• Number of Gears: 16
• Pedals: Road pedals with toe clips
• Rear Brake: Tektro alloy calliper brake
• Rear Mech: Shimano Sora
• Saddle: Carrera
• Seatpost: Alloy 300mm x 27.2mm
• Stem: Alloy 31.8mm
• Suspension: Rigid
• Tyre size: 23c
• Tyres: Kenda road tyre
• Wheel size: 700c
• Approximate Weight (KG): 11.2
• Cassette: 12-25T

3. Carrera TDF Road Bike 2011/2012. Price £350 £315

Specs:

• Brake Type: Calliper Brakes
• Exact Frame Size: 58cm
• Frame Colour: Black and Yellow
• Frame Material: Aluminium
• Frame Size (cm): Over 57
• Frame-: Lightweight 6061 aluminium frame
• Front Brake: Tektro alloy calliper brake
• Front Mech: Shimano FD-A050
• Gear Shifters: Shimano ST-2300
• Gender: Mens
• Handle Bars: Drop
• Headset: Semi integrated
• Number of Gears: 16
• Pedals: Road pedals with toe clips
• Rear Brake: Tektro alloy calliper brake
• Rear Mech: Shimano RD-2300
• Saddle: Carrera
• Seatpost: Alloy 350mm x 27.2
• Suspension: Rigid
• Tyre size: 23c
• Tyres: Kenda road tyre
• Wheel size: 700c
• Chainset: Shimano FCA050 52/39 / Prowheel
• Forks: Hi-Tensile Straight Blade
• Stem: Alloy
• Approximate Weight (KG): 11.7
• Cassette: 12-26T

Other than cosmetics (the two Virtuosos, for my money, look much nicer than the TDF), the specs are almost identical. The second one is £80+ more expensive, and is a bit lighter and has a different chainset (not sure which is best?). Is worth that extra money over the Ltd Edition, or should I spent the extra 80-odd quid on upgrades/accessories?

Thanks in advance for any help.

 

[festival]

Firstly, beware the halfords 'was price' this is very misleading as they will regularly put the price up before bringing it back down, but not as much. eg £400 bike up for limited time to £500 then sell at was £500 now £375. looks a better deal than it is and is confusing when you start comparing bikes.
Secondly, the carreras come in limited sizes and even their 58cm maybe too small for you at 6'3'', probably too short in the reach. Their size chart is very generalized.
Next. the advice on fit and quality of build is hit and miss at halfords, so take someone who knows with you for advice.
Generally these are good value bikes and as good as you will get for your money quality wise, but thats no good if its poorley put together and the wrong size.
The virtuoso for £387 is worth the extra spec but more important comes with a compact chainset 50/34 as opposed to 53/39. this may suit you while getting fit.

 

[Arjimlad]

Welcome - well done for taking cycling up again. I got going again at about 30 and am 40 this year.

I know someone will be along shortly to extol the Decathlon Triban 3 which looks like a nice bike and has a carbon fork, for £300.

The only bike of the three you mention which I have personal experience with is the TDF. The one I bought used was a tad too small for me but rode very well, it felt nice and solid. OK it was not a light bike but it was all well made and should last years.

The only other comment I would make is that if you live in a hilly area you might prefer the compact chainset on the more expensive Virtuoso, which has a smaller front ring (and thus goes up hills more easily!).

Happy riding whatever you go for.

 

[legburn]

Hmm, I'm a bit worried by size now. I, perhaps naively, assumed raising the seat would be enough. I'll check out the Tribal 3. Thanks for the replies.

 

[legburn]

Halfords rates the 51cm Virtuoso as 'medium/large'. Evens rates that as small. Chain reaction says 51cm frames are for people who are 5ft 2inches.

Just measured myself and I'm actually 6ft 2in. That doesn't make much difference according to these charts, but they seem to go off of inside leg rather than height. Furthermore, some sites say a 31in inside leg requires a 54cm frame, and then a 31.5in inside leg requires a 60!

Confusing.

 

[Arjimlad]

The only way is to get astride one and if poss, ride it about a bit.

 

[musa]

[tip toes in]

TRIBAN 3

[tiptoes out]

 

[legburn]

Am I right to assume the compact chainset only applies to the smaller from cog? I'd still want to be able to ride quickly after getting going.

 

[DCLane]

Try the Virtuoso; I've got an older model and it's been pretty good. I had a look at the Virtuoso Race 2012 and if I'd not just re-built mine I would have bought it.

The Race edition is currently on offer for £350http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_storeId_10001_catalogId_10151_productId_840917_langId_-1_categoryId_165710 but has an offer this weekend for £330

Mind you, the offers keep coming from them and the list price is irrelevant. Virtuoso's are usually on offer at £325-375 at some point each month.

 

[cyberknight]

Halfords rates the 51cm Virtuoso as 'medium/large'. Evens rates that as small. Chain reaction says 51cm frames are for people who are 5ft 2inches.

Just measured myself and I'm actually 6ft 2in. That doesn't make much difference according to these charts, but they seem to go off of inside leg rather than height. Furthermore, some sites say a 31in inside leg requires a 54cm frame, and then a 31.5in inside leg requires a 60!

Confusing.

Halfords sizing measures to the top tube , as most bikes they sell are compact or sloping tube top tubes this gives a false measurement when compared to the old standard when the top tube was level or what is known as a "virtual" top tube now based on where the seat tube would meet the top tube if it was level.
The best advice i can give is go and try them for size, if you can get the seat high enough without going past the maximum height then its reach than is going to be the limiting factor as you do not want to be cramped or overstretched.You can buy longer or shorter stems but that should be used to fine tune the fit rather than adding an extra long stem to a to small bike.

Having ridden both a TDF and still using an old model virtuoso they are good bikes for the money but as pointed out the triban 3 is better spec for the same money and its what i would go for if i was after a new bike at this price point.

 

[Scilly Suffolk]

"Yes" the larger chainwheel is a standard size. To achieve a similar range of gears to a triple with the lighter weight of a double, the little chainwheel of a compact is smaller than usual, but the larger is unaffected.

Larger frames don't just have higher seats, the rest of the frame will be proportionately larger too: I'm 6' 3" and wouldn't ride anything smaller than 60cm/23.5".

 

[festival]

"Yes" the larger chainwheel is a standard size. To achieve a similar range of gears to a triple with the lighter weight of a double, the little chainwheel of a compact is smaller than usual, but the larger is unaffected.

Not so, the ratio is generally 53/39 or 52/42 for standard racing or 50/34 known as 'compact' for sportive type riding.
IMO the compact will help you learn to pedal properly even if its not very hilly in your area. Its important to learn to pedal fast and not just push big gears all the time. This will ensure you are more supple and can spin bigger gears and go faster when you get fitter.
The 50/34 although works better with 9 or 10 speed, will be plenty big enough for you and by the time you are fit you will have worn the rings out anyway so you will be able to make a more informed choice when you replace them

 

[Scilly Suffolk]

You're right/I'm wrong: having checked, mine are both 52 (with a 42 and a 39).

To see how different set-ups compare, punch the numbers in to here or here.