Carrera Virago

martin999159

Hi can any one please give me advice as what I should expect from the Carrera Virago Carbon bike from Halfords(£899, Its got a mix of shimano 105 gearing and shifters and a tiagra rear cassette, the problem is that Halfords only give a 2year guarantee on the carbon frame when most if not all other carbon frame from Scott, Giant, Trek ect give a life time guarantee so if you have this bike or have had it advice is welcome please.

supermurph09

What do you intend to use the bike for? I can't help thinking an aluminium framed bike at that price point might be a better option. Halfords will divide opinion an I'd say the Boardman Team would be a better bike from them at the price.

martin999159

Hi for quite a while now ive been using my mountian bike on my days off with road tyers on to do mile from 40 to 80 with some serious climbs of 25% and even at 51 I like to push myself to do the best I can time and distance wise, Even though ive put the Virago carbon down I am willing to look at others as long as they have a compact gearing.

KonkyWonky

The Virago gets fairly decent reviews but personally I would rather have a very good AL frame than a bottom of the rung Carbon. By going AL you will get a full Shimano 105 groupset at the same price range.

At the end of the day though it's a personal decision.

daniel_b

If you could stretch to about £950/£1000 you could get a cr1 pro carbon frame for £435 or £480 after quidco cashback from westbrook, a full 105 groupset for £330 after quidco cashback from merlin, a set of R501's from ribble for £70 and then you just need stem, handlebars and seatpost.

I know what I would rather have :-)

KonkyWonky

Take a look at the Canyon Roadlite assuming you are comfortable ordering online.

http://www.canyon.com/_en/roadbikes/ser ... te-al.html

Full Shimano 105 groupset and Mavic Aksium wheelset built on a relaxed geometry frame for £859.

Hollow-legs

If you do want carbon ,,,why not go for a MEKK 2g poggio 105 ,wiggle selling them for the same price as the virago..£899.00 I think the MEKK is a better bike!

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/mekk-2g-poggio-p20-105/


You could try a ribble evo pro carbon with shimano tiagra groupset and upgraded shimano r501 wheelset yours for £855.00
http://www.ribblecycles.co.uk/sed/road- ... =conf_SERC

wheelie-bin

As far as I'm aware they're pretty low on stock across the whole country as they're obsolete, so unless your local store has your size it could be a fanny on getting one. Boardman Team would be a better choice IMO

neal1984

Boardman Team Carbon LTD £999.99
Minus Halfords web promotion @10% = £899.99
Minus British cycling member discount @10% = £810
Minus Quidco cash back @ 3% = £785
Seems like a blinding deal for a branded carbon bike to me. So much so I've just bought one...

Ok so £24 a year for British Cycling membership minus £10 quidco so £14 if your not already a member but many benefits included!

ct8282

My mate rides the Carrera. He's had it for about 18 months and loves it. He rides TT's on it, sportives and pretty much anything else you can suggest.

I went out for the first time with him a couple of weeks ago on my Giant TCR which was £2500 and he absolutely embarrassed me (I've only been riding for 2 months though ). He can do a 10 mile TT and average 25mph! At best I have averaged 17.2mph over 17 miles so he's way ahead and proves that you don't need a very expensive bike to perform.

I have to say, I very much like the look of his Carrera. If my budget was only £1000 I would have strongly considered the Virago based on his experience with it.

martin999159

Hi ct can you get your mate to send me an email about his views on the virago please if you don't mind (martin.warburton@tiscali.co.uk) cheers and thanks for your reply.

ct8282

martin999159 wrote:

Hi ct can you get your mate to send me an email about his views on the virago please if you don't mind (martin.warburton@tiscali.co.uk) cheers and thanks for your reply.

Err, to be honest no. I don't think he'll be arsed to do that as it goes. Sorry.

I am happy to share with you that he does rate the bike an awful lot.