Ventura cp 50 (argos)

[Justinslow]

Adjusted the seat slightly tipping it down at the front, rotated the bars up bringing the hoods higher and a bit closer, did 61 miles today, adjustments made it more comfortable but a slightly shorter stem is needed I think. I bought the 55cm frame and I'm just under 6 foot, it's a bit of a stretch to the bars so may switch from 120mm stem to 90 or 100mm, these bikes are not for shorties! Happy days!

 

[smokeysmoo]

a slightly shorter stem is needed I think.

I wouldn't make big changes all at once as you'd be surprised how quickly your body will have adjusted to the bike as it is now.

Try and source a 100mm stem second hand, and if that's not doing it for you go down in increments from there, I certainly wouldn't go from 120 now down to 90 in one go.

It can be a pain in the @rse getting a bike dialled in just so, but too big a jump all at once can cause more problems than it fixes!

 

[PaddyMcc]

I bought one too, I love it. Although mine was £499, still I don't feel that I have been ripped off.

 

[Justinslow]

I bought one too, I love it. Although mine was £499, still I don't feel that I have been ripped off.
View attachment 55487

Nice one, yeah for the money I can't fault the bike. One other change I've made is to replace the stock brake blocks with clarks cps 240's which are supposed to be a massive improvement as the originals are poor ( although I've no issues with the originals as I haven't had to brake that hard yet, but at least I know I've got fairly decent brakes now)
Just out of interest which size did you go for and how does it feel to you?

@smokeysmoo cheers, noted, I will give this some thought, I'm in no hurry to change it and 100mm would like you say probably be plenty.

 

[PaddyMcc]

I am 6'3" and went for the larger frame size. I have no issues size-wise and find it a comfortable ride. I guess over time I might replace the brakes with 105s but I find the no-namers work just fine.

 

[PaddyMcc]

Some interesting reviews/opinions http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=40042&t=12932562

And the manufacturer http://liyangbikes.com/tw/vt-范圖拉/公路車-cp50

 

[BrumJim]

Now a bargain at £736, down from £800. Kind of wish I had bought one at £400, now.

 

[bennji]

Went down to £599 today, I'm keeping an eye on this and as soon as it goes back to 400 (if ever), then boom - I'm going in!

 

[Justinslow]

Did a 100 mile sportive on mine on Sunday, it behaved impeccably, was smooth as you like, great gear changes from the sora set up and held its own in the 3 bike group I was in, with the other two bikes both being Giant defy's - one a "0" with ultegra and wheels worth more than my bike alone!

 

[PaddyMcc]

I have changed my avatar...

 

[Justinslow]

http://liyangbikes.com/tw/?attachment_id=359

Would have been nice if it had been this one for £400! 105/tiagra.

 

[bennji]

Strange that the original price has gone down but the sale price has gone up today, I wonder what the chances of it ever going back to £400 are.

http://www.argos.co.uk/static/Product/partNumber/3324518.htm

 

[SteCenturion]

I bought one too, I love it. Although mine was £499, still I don't feel that I have been ripped off.
View attachment 55487

I initially snubbed this bike, earlier in the thread, just based on the belief that "you get what you pay for" & that Argos & my experience of Argos & it's rep are poor.

Having read more posts here & having a little more time to consider, it does look remarkable value.

Consider that a month ago I paid £542-ish for a set of Easton Carbon wheels (and they were reduced again to around £470, gutted) & a full bike at the £400 mark starts to look very tasty.

Still, I wouldn't like to see it thrown down an Argos chute by one of those students.

 

[albion]

I ordered the bike and cancelled.

I suppose I could stored it in case I chose to go on club rides. But a medium weight lock, pannier rack, panniers and a homeward bound errand simply would not have suited the bike.

 

[Justinslow]

Strange that the original price has gone down but the sale price has gone up today, I wonder what the chances of it ever going back to £400 are.

http://www.argos.co.uk/static/Product/partNumber/3324518.htm

Argos's pricing structure does seem somewhat erratic, I'm not sure why it dropped to £400 in August. its been yo yo ing up and down (but not that low) ever since.