New road bike beginner

Mootanclan
Mootanclan Posts: 63
edited June 2010 in Road beginners
Hello I am pondering to get this bike or not as a starter bike for training on your comments please...

http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stor ... yId_165710
Cube Peleton Race 2013
Cube cross race cx 2016


I have a cycling problem work gets in the way!!!

Comments

  • Headhuunter
    Headhuunter Posts: 6,494
    Seems like a decent bike for the price. I don't know that end of the market very well but at 300 smackers it could be worse. Very overpriced at "full" price - £500 though when you can get a decent aluminium framed bike with carbon forks and full Tiagra group from Ribble for £570
    Do not write below this line. Office use only.
  • night_porter
    night_porter Posts: 888
    edited June 2010
    Although Carrera Bikes can only be bought from Halfords the frames are made by Merida and are very well built bikes.

    The gears, brakes, wheels, controls, etc. are all the same as (or equivalent to) Giant, Trek, Specialized, etc and is fitted to their entry level bikes costing at least £200 more than the current TDF price.

    If you are confident at ensuring the bike has been put together properly by Halfords then the TDF is a really good bargain. Having said that even if you are not confident checking the build it would be worth paying a local bike shop to check it out and you would still have a bargain.

    Most people who hate Carrera's probably have not ridden one, I own a Vanquish and I absolutely love it. I use it every day for commuting and because it has mudguards and a rack on it I can use it all year round. I have also ridden the Virtuoso and it is also a nice bike.

    These are good road bikes but not superlight racers but none of the entry level bikes could be described as great racers.
  • carrotcruncher
    carrotcruncher Posts: 45
    I have a Carrera Gryphon for commuting - there said the C word in a forum :D
    It's been great as far as I'm concerned.

    I was seriously considering the TDF but managed to get a 7 month old Boardman Comp on fleabay for the same money locally.

    So now I own two bikes sold by Halfrauds :lol:
  • TwistedSpirit
    TwistedSpirit Posts: 79
    I bought that bike on Sunday. Only done 20 miles so far but it seems ok.
    Could do with some spds and a new saddle though.

    Buy it from a shop and you may be able to get some more money off.
    I saved another 30 squid and bought a trip computer with the savings
  • 365punter
    365punter Posts: 39
    I've got an older one of these - has got suntour drivetrain - but looks fairly similar. Bought it second hand too and it's still going strong. It's my first road bike too but it seems to go ok and is fine on my 15 mile commute. I agree with the comment about putting SPDs on it - that's the first thing I did (my mountain bikes all have SPDs).
  • Mootanclan
    Mootanclan Posts: 63
    choice of two now the cheap £279.99 decathlon bike or the halfords one at £299.99 which one would you go for?
    Cube Peleton Race 2013
    Cube cross race cx 2016


    I have a cycling problem work gets in the way!!!
  • night_porter
    night_porter Posts: 888
    Well you got 5 replies and 4 of them own Carreras so which do you think would be our choice?

    Lots of people like both so I guess you should sit on or test ride them and see which you prefer. Either that or go for the one which is the best colour!

Categories