Carrera Virtuoso/Carrera Virtuoso 2011

Darrenm72
Darrenm72 Posts: 93
edited September 2011 in Road beginners
What's the difference between the Carrera Virtuoso and the newer Carrera Virtuoso 2011 road bike, is it worth the £160 extra.

Comments

  • cyberknight
    cyberknight Posts: 1,238
    It has a sora rear mech rather than a 2300 one.

    No ,buy last years cheap and save a lot of money, mine does Stirling work as a commuter with a rack + mudgaurds and after 3 years is still going strong .
    Used it for a sportive and did a very reasonable time on it .

    For the price the old model is a real bargain, sure it is not as nice as more expensive models , my boardman is a lot lighter and a guy drafted me home the other day on a bike weighing half as much but he could not overtake :lol:
    FCN 3/5/9
  • Garryboy
    Garryboy Posts: 344
    cyberknight wrote:
    It has a sora rear mech rather than a 2300 one.

    No ,buy last years cheap and save a lot of money, mine does Stirling work as a commuter with a rack + mudgaurds and after 3 years is still going strong .
    Used it for a sportive and did a very reasonable time on it .

    For the price the old model is a real bargain, sure it is not as nice as more expensive models , my boardman is a lot lighter and a guy drafted me home the other day on a bike weighing half as much but he could not overtake :lol:

    Sorry to hijack, cyberknight can I ask what rack and mudguards you went for as Im just about to turn my virtuoso into a commuter
  • cyberknight
    cyberknight Posts: 1,238
    I used a standard rack from halfords as i got it at the same time...

    http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stor ... yId_236256

    I had to get a file and sand the bottom edge to make it fit as my bike has a semi circular bit that sticks out near the rear quick release lever.I only used one of the top mounting arms because the one on the near side was fouling the brake , i could bend it but it is not a load bearing arm so i just left it off.

    You can also use a seat post rack if you want to take it off quickly for the weekend .
    I use Halfords panniers

    http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stor ... 36256#dtab

    You can see its halfords because it was all got on cycle to work so it was all part of my overall package.

    For mudgaurds i use the crud raceblades mk 1 , the mk 2 now have a longer tail for more coverage.

    http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Mode ... elID=54934


    For tyres i run 23 mm gator skins for a bit more puncture resistance and a bit more speed as i found the original tyres to be not very good..The saddle has been changed for a ebay boardman saddle as i like them and it gives continuity when i switch to my weekender.
    Since this photo was taken i have also changed the bar tape to a snazzy blue cork tape :)



    1002ov.jpg
    FCN 3/5/9
  • mouth
    mouth Posts: 1,195
    the clincher for me is the email i got from halfords today, saying that the virtuoso can be had for a little over 230 quid. i thought my TDF was good value at 280 but this is a steal i reckon. and no, there isnt a great deal of difference in the new or old model. the TDF can also be had at 265 this weekend. discount is applied in basket when you reserve online.
    The only disability in life is a poor attitude.
  • Garryboy
    Garryboy Posts: 344
    cyberknight wrote:
    I used a standard rack from halfords as i got it at the same time...

    http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stor ... yId_236256

    I had to get a file and sand the bottom edge to make it fit as my bike has a semi circular bit that sticks out near the rear quick release lever.I only used one of the top mounting arms because the one on the near side was fouling the brake , i could bend it but it is not a load bearing arm so i just left it off.

    You can also use a seat post rack if you want to take it off quickly for the weekend .
    I use Halfords panniers

    http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stor ... 36256#dtab

    You can see its halfords because it was all got on cycle to work so it was all part of my overall package.

    For mudgaurds i use the crud raceblades mk 1 , the mk 2 now have a longer tail for more coverage.

    http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Mode ... elID=54934


    For tyres i run 23 mm gator skins for a bit more puncture resistance and a bit more speed as i found the original tyres to be not very good..The saddle has been changed for a ebay boardman saddle as i like them and it gives continuity when i switch to my weekender.
    Since this photo was taken i have also changed the bar tape to a snazzy blue cork tape :)



    1002ov.jpg

    Thanks Cyberknight much appreciated
  • Salsa
    Salsa Posts: 753
    I fitted one of those racks to a friends TDF the otherday (same frame issues) but I found if you cross the two bits of metal that connect to the top of the seat stays then it won't foul the brake. Think I also bent the twist angle part to get it to fit, but I'm not 100% sure as I tried fitting it a few ways before sussing it.
    I also had to file a bit off the legs to clear the weird circular drop outs.

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