Halfords Virago

ray1975

Hi all, After weeks of waiting for Halfords to try and sort out the cycle to work scheme ordering system, I have had to give in and order their £999 bike. A 58cm carbon Carerra Virago. I had originally ordered a Scott Speedster S20 (Their supplier couldn't get the size I wanted) then I wanted to order the Planet X pro carbon £999 (only to be told that Planet X and Halfords were not working together AGAIN!!) then I went to order the trek 1.9( only to get the same story as the Scott)

So I ordered the Virago (only 2 left in the UK) and had it TNT'd to the local bike hut. Picked it up on Monday and we had a few issues.

1. The front derailleur not working propoerly (Shimano 105)
2. Rear mech needed further adjustment (done this myself)
3. When taking the bike to the car noticed that the head stem wasnt totally tight(again fixed this at home)

The bike itself is nice, light and a good spec (Ultegra shifters, and rear mech) tektro brakes. Shimano wheelset.

Changed a few parts etc already.
1. New seat, specialized primo
2. New tyres, specialized armidillo range.
3. Black Bar tape to replace the white tape which came as standard
4. look pedals

Looking to change the crank in order to have a compact instead of the 53/39

The bike looks great apart from having Carerra everywhere on it , plus having www.bikehut.com under the frame (not sure of how to get rid of these decals as they under the clear coat laquer, or cover them up. it sounds daft but that's how it is)

Overall good bike and an excellent move from my ultra reliable Scott Hybrid.

I woudl be interested to hear from others who have the same bike or challenges they have had with Halfords and the cycle to work scheme

[/imghttp://www.flickr.com/photos/25513099@N02/2402400215/]

Shadowduck

ray1975 wrote:

The bike looks great apart from having Carerra everywhere on it , plus having www.bikehut.com under the frame (not sure of how to get rid of these decals as they under the clear coat laquer, or cover them up. it sounds daft but that's how it is)

Meh, if you're happy with the bike who cares what it says on the frame? When you come across gear snobs who regard your bike as inferior because of the brand,* just think how much sweeter it'll be to sail past them on your way up the next hill!

*As you inevitably will, sadly.

andy_wrx

Well, if it says BikeHut underneath, surely no-one will be able to read it unless you roll it ?

dnsmiff

I have the Virago and have change the chainset to an SRAM rival compact (£99 fitted).

No expert on bikes but I am really happy with it, have had no problems with it at all. The gears shifted better after my LBS fitted the new chainset and adjusted the rear mech and the headset has just needed tightening up (done about 300 miles so far)

Weighed it when I first got it - it was just under 18lbs (before I removed all the reflectors etc.) so quite light.

lilactime

i wanted a bmc streetfire through halfords ride to work scheme . they told me they had no knowledge of the bmc brand ???. think they try to sell their own bikes ?

campagchris

If its a viagra frame it will be very stiff :shock:

nikrad

Hope nowt breaks for you . Had my tiagra shifters break after first cycle to work on my Boardman . Got it fixed five weeks latter !
Halfords are really poor , but bikes are OK .
Best advice is to get it serviced through youre LBS .

jd72kingmerckx

I got a carrera vanquish from halfords in the cycle to work scheme and must admit the bike is well specd for the price. I am fairly new to road riding but find the bike a great ride and have covered 500 miles trouble free since beginning in January. I did have the same problems as you when picking the bike up, so tightened everything up when i got it home.
Who cares what make it is as long as you enjoy it