Carrera Road bike - Any good? Cheap!

[garth]

Halfrauds are doing this and I need a cheap entry level road bike that wont break in ten seconds.

https://www.hotukdeals.com/deals/carrera-tdf-limited-edition-road-bike-269-99-halfords-with-nusjun11-code-rrp-449/957599

Whaddyareckon?
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[ian789]

They get excellent review in the cycling mags. I've got the Vanquish which is £500, if you can afford it it's worth upgrading for the shifters.

If you let Halfords build it make sure they put it together properly.

It's got 36 spokes so although the wheels will be heavy they will last.

Carrera bikes are excellent value for money but it's let down by incompetent halfords staff.

[UnknownStuntm...]

[garth]

It's reduced from 449 originally, I cannae really afford much more, unless I go 2nd hand.

I've reserved one anyway, I don't need to collect it I'll read some reviews.
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[Minty]

I have a Carrera road bike and am generally happy with it.

It did however have wheels that had repeated spoke snappages. A good moan saw them replaced, for free, with Mavic Aksium race wheels - so cant really gripe at that. Front deraileur mounting plate appears to be made of cheese and has been hammered back into shape twice in the 2 years I have had it.

Personally, dont let Halfords build it, build it yourself. Mine was a display model and allegedly serviced by the branch manager.

Lets just say that if I hadn't noticed the front brake block being lined up to rub the tyre instead of the wheel, then things could have got quite tasty as I live at the bottom of a nice steep hill. Setting up gears does not seem to be a skill they have either.

Also, not sure if it is the same on the cheaper road bikes but mine did not come with pedals. I'm not sure if you are expected to propell the bike via the power of thought, but it may be another expense you werent planning on.
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[D O G]

[garth]

I'm only going to be doing 14 miles a day if that makes any difference... I did it for a month on a BMX, so, ahem.

Reviews seem good, contrary to the above.
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[D O G]

It'll be a billion times better than a BMX, a million times better than an MTB, but not anywhere near as good as a 5 year old Alu frame/carbon fork trek/specialized/giant road bike from fleabay for the same money.

[CarlosCBR]

https://cgi.ebay.co.uk/NEW-2011-VIKING-VENTOUX-TRIPLE-24SPEED-ROAD-BIKE-59cm-/230638473941?pt=UK_Bikes_GL&hash=item35b31fd2d5#ht_774wt_905

Im starting off with this. Never had a road race bike before. Will let you know how it performs. Should hopefully see me right for a first time bike.
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[garth]

How does the carrera compare with the above?

Would it not be as good as a 2nd hand solely because of the carbon forks / gears? I don't know alot ( Did you guess?! ) but the gear set is still shimano.

Do carbon forks make that much difference? You can get a pair for 60 odd quid new,
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[njd27]

You might be better off finding an internet deal on wiggle, rutland cycles or evans cycles - there are some good giant and raleigh deals.

Then find a proper local bike shop and take it there rather than halfords. Just my 2p.

[edit]
But the guy who posted to buy a second hand trek or specialized from ebay is on the right track.

[Ariel Badger]

[jay12329]

[JonB]

Do you have a Decathlon store near you? They are massive in France/Spain and they do exceptionally good bikes at bargain prices. Cycling forums rave about them.

£299 gets you a road bike with an aluminium frame, carbon forks and a 24 speed bargain basement shimano groupset. You also get pedals!

https://www.decathlon.co.uk/EN/triban-3-173178017/

£499 gets you the above, but with the shimano "sora" groupset, so STI shifters where gear and brake levers are integrated and make cycling an absolute joy.

https://www.decathlon.co.uk/EN/triban-5-172072740/

14 miles a day soon adds up, i'd buy one of those over that Halfrauds shite anyday of the week.
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[D O G]

[swanny]

carerra used to be made by saracen although i dont know if its still true..


I bought the missus one 2 years back still looks like new as theyre pretty well made in comparison to my Raleigh bike.

recommended !!
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[Tarmacsurfer]

I've not tried a Carrera road bike but picked up an MTB (2008 Fury) a couple of years back and it's been great. No issues with any components and it's taken everything I've been able to throw at it with ease, I'm not a small chap.

Upshot is, while it's fashionable to trash Halfords - they certainly don't offer 'street cred' - the Carrera range tend to get OK reviews in the bike press and be reasonably well specced for the price.
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[garth]

Re Ride to work scheme, the company has one through Wiggle, but it's over an 18 month contract and I can't guarantee I won't hop on my c70 and fuck off travelling before then.

Plus, all the road bikes on wiggle are 800+! I don't need anything that amazing. If I get into it properly I'll invest some more cash into it.
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[Marcg868]

Good bikes the Carreras, if Halfords put it together I'd get it double checked by a Local Bike shop.

I have a Carrera Banshee X and a Carrera Vulcan and both have been cracking bikes
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[njd27]

[D O G]

That's a fixie, great for London and Norfolk, awful for anywhere there is an incline.

[MinhDinh]

Just a warning, the spokes apparently break often. I was going to buy one and read many reviews.
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[njd27]

[JonB]

[MinhDinh]