Ok for a beginner?

chris.g
chris.g Posts: 6
edited September 2010 in Road beginners
Hi,

I hope you will excuse my complete lack of knowledge! I have been looking for a while at changing from a mountain bike to a road bike; I have looked in a few independent shops at some lovely bikes. However I have a good friend who works as a manager for Halfords he has offered me a new Carerra Vanquish for £397, now knowing nothing about road bikes would this spec be ok for a beginner?

Many thanks

Chris



* Frame Material: 7005 Aluminium
* Frame Size: 21-22
* Gears: 16-20
* Gender: Mens
* Suspension: Rigid
* Frame Size (cm): 51 - 54
* Brake Type: Dual Pivot Caliper Brake
* Chainset: Truvativ Tour Compact
* Forks: Lightweight carbon fibre fork with alloy steerer
* Frame Colour: Black and Red
* Frame-: Lightweight double butted 7005 semi compact Aluminium
* Front Brake: Shimano Tiagra Lever, Tektro R720 dual pivot caliper
* Front Mech: Shimano Sora
* Gear Shifters: Shimano Tiagra 18 Speed
* Handle Bars: Kalloy Alloy Oversize 31.8mm drop
* Headset: Semi Integrated Ahead Set
* Hubs: Shimano WHR500 Wheelset
* Number of Gears: 18
* Pedals: Black resin with Toe Clips
* Rear Brake: Shimano Tiagra Lever, Tektro R720 dual pivot caliper
* Rear Mech: Shimano Sora
* Rear Shock: N/A
* Rims: Shimano WHR500 Wheelset
* Saddle: Carrera
* Seatpost: Kalloy Alloy 27.2mm
* Stem: Kalloy Alloy oversize 31.8mm
* Tyre size: 700 x 23C
* Tyres: Continental Ultra Sport
* Wheel size: 700c

http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stor ... 65710#dtab

Comments

  • At the price can't complain, at least you get Tiagra shifters
    Say... That's a nice bike..
    Trax T700 with Lew Racing Pro VT-1 ;-)
  • Erudin
    Erudin Posts: 136
    Looks fine to me, you can fit mudguards to it for the winter as well.
  • MikeWW
    MikeWW Posts: 723
    They are OK at that price
    Should get you started
  • They are good bikes, but make sure you take it to a proper bike shop and have it checked over if you don't know much about them. Halfords are very good at giving out badly assembled machines!
  • Ben6899
    Ben6899 Posts: 9,686
    All of the above. Go for it at that price!
    Ben

    Bikes: Donhou DSS4 Custom | Condor Italia RC | Gios Megalite | Dolan Preffisio | Giant Bowery '76
    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ben_h_ppcc/
    Flickr: https://www.flickr.com/photos/143173475@N05/
  • I agree that this is a good deal at the price you've been quoted

    Edindevon
  • Edindevon wrote:
    I think you'd be better off buying this online. With the current 15% off promotion, the price is only £450.49 for reserve and collect in store.

    Edindevon

    I have got a deal for £397!

    Thank you everyone for your input, very kind, is there anything I would need to upgrade?
  • chris.g wrote:
    Edindevon wrote:
    I think you'd be better off buying this online. With the current 15% off promotion, the price is only £450.49 for reserve and collect in store.

    Edindevon

    I have got a deal for £397!

    Thank you everyone for your input, very kind, is there anything I would need to upgrade?

    Sorry, I misread your post and thought you'd been offered it at £497. Once I realised my mistake I edited my post, as you are obviously getting a good deal.

    Edindevon
  • Ben6899
    Ben6899 Posts: 9,686
    Upgrades?

    Well I would fit clipless pedals and possibly a new saddle (although you might get on with the factory one). I wouldn't upgrade anything else on a bike at that price point.
    Ben

    Bikes: Donhou DSS4 Custom | Condor Italia RC | Gios Megalite | Dolan Preffisio | Giant Bowery '76
    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ben_h_ppcc/
    Flickr: https://www.flickr.com/photos/143173475@N05/
  • I just bought one for 425, mine came with 105 shifters/mech lol; definitely buy it. Then change the pedals - they are completely rubbish.