Halfords Carrera TDF 2009

Guinny

* Approximate Weight (KG): 11.4
* Chainset: CRANK PROWHEEL GLORIA-421C, 50/36T
* Exact Frame Size: 54CM
* Forks: FORK AERO BLADED FORK
* Frame Colour: Yellow/black
* Frame Material: Aluminium
* Frame Size (cm): 51 - 54
* Frame-: 7005 ALLOY
* Front Brake: TEKTRO 510A, ALLOY BLACK
* Front Mech: SHIMANO FD-A050
* Gear Shifters: SUNRACE R80
* Gears: 16
* Gender: Mens
* Handle Bars: KALLOY BLACK
* Headset: 1 1/8" AHEAD SET BLACK
* Hubs: Ritchey Pro
* Number of Gears: 20
* Pedals: Resin with clips
* Quick Release Wheels: Yes
* Rear Brake: TEKTRO 510A, ALLOY BLACK
* Rear Mech: TEKTRO 510A, ALLOY BLACK
* Rear Shock: NA
* Rims: DBR-1, DOUBLE WALL ALLOY BLACK
* Saddle: CARRERA
* Seatpost: BLACK, 27.2x300mm
* Stem: ALLOY BLACK
* Suspension: Rigid
* Tyre size: 23c
* Tyres: TIRES INNOVA
* Wheel size: 700c

Worth getting for my very limited budget of £300 (which must include a new helmet?)

tyax

I'm also curious about the TDF, especially when they were selling the TDF for £400 a few weeks back and the Virtuoso was £380, yet the Virtuoso seems to be the better bike on paper, with similar spec to the very low end "name" road bikes that seem to come in around the £400-£450 mark :?

Currently the TDF is available for £260, and the Virtuoso £320. Only catch is that the Virtuoso only seems to be available for delivery, not in store :roll:

Anyone got any opinions on the TDF or Virtuoso :?:

keef66

The virtuoso if I recall correctly has better kit and so should be more expensive than this.

On a £300 budget I'd recommend buying second hand, as long as you know what size bike you need and you have the help of someone who knows a bit about bikes. You'd definitely get a better bike for the money, and so enjoy riding it more.

dru

keef66 wrote:

The virtuoso if I recall correctly has better kit and so should be more expensive than this.

On a £300 budget I'd recommend buying second hand, as long as you know what size bike you need and you have the help of someone who knows a bit about bikes. You'd definitely get a better bike for the money, and so enjoy riding it more.

+1

I did this last month. Was looking at the bikes that you mention above - and you can get soo much more for the same money when buying second hand and also they do give you a real good talk about it too. I spent over an hour 'picking mine up' just talking about it etc etc

tyax

I pretty much intend on buying secondhand, but am on the rebound from missing out on a Spesh Allez, hence looking at my other options in a moment of madness

Biggest problem with buying used is the seemingly endless waiting for the right bike to come up :roll:

keef66

Patience grasshopper, patience.

Guinny

i Have no bike so I cant be patient so on that basis would you buy or wait all summer hoping a better 2nd hander came along? No car and loads of work and family commitments so would need to be massivly local.

tyax

keef66 wrote:

Patience grasshopper, patience.

I suspect this comment was aimed at me, Guinny 8)

I hear what you're saying about needing a bike immediately, but I really do get the feeling from my past few months of research that it's impossible to get even an entry level, servicable road bike for under £300. It's the "Sunrace" shifter/levers that are putting me off the TDF, I think Shimano 2200 is about the most basic STI setup that'll last any decent time. Next time I'm in Halfords I'll cast my eye over one tho

If you don't mind flat bars, are looking for something to commute on or ride for leisure, and really want to use Halfrauds, I know the Carrera Subway to be a good bike, as a mate has a 2006 one and it's well built and has been dependable. If you want something closer to a roadie, I'd give serious thought to the Gryphon V-spec. I've tried one and it felt like a great piece of kit, currently it's a tenner more than the TDF at £270, but it appears to me to be the better bike.