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Carrera TDF

katiebobkatiebob Posts: 208
edited September 2013 in Road buying advice
Hi all,

I currently have a Carrera Gryphon hybrid which I use for commuting. Halfords have the Carrera TDF on sale for £250 at the mo and was wondering what difference (if any) it would make to my journey?

I dont NEED a road bike... It's just a WANT!!

Its 5 miles of road and cycle path (would be all road but some of it is national speed limit and I'm not quite brave enough!)

http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stor ... 65710#tab2

Thanks

Posts

  • simonheadsimonhead Posts: 1,399
    Quite a few differences, if i remember right the gryphon is disc brakes and weighs about 18kg, the TDF is about 12kg i think and has calliper brakes. If you want a road bike go for it but it probably wont make much difference to a 5 mile commute paricularly at this time of year.
    Life isnt like a box of chocolates, its like a bag of pic n mix.
  • oxomanoxoman Posts: 11,183
    The TDF is a basic road bike which is not that bad to ride, better than its supplier. I don't think you would see much difference over a short distance but they do get addictive once you start riding one. Plenty of Decent TDF / Virtuoso's on Ebay at the moment if you wanted to try a roadbike without spending a lot of money.
    Too many bikes according to Mrs O.
  • migrantwingmigrantwing Posts: 385
    I have an old TDF, 2007, I think. It's served me well over the years. The groupset is Sunrace R80, which isn't the best at all, but it does the job. I have a newer, much, much better bike but the TDF serves its purpose for commuting to work and having it as a Winter bike.

    If you want it...buy it! :) Can't really go wrong with it.
    Ghost Race 5000 (2011) Shimano 105 Black
    Carrera TDF (2007)

    http://www.bike-discount.de/#

    http://www.bike24.com/
  • pashdapashda Posts: 99
    for the commute I wouldn't bother. But if you want a road bike anyway its not a bad bike for the money. Never owned one myself but borrowed a mates to do my first triathlon on and it was great. Halfords get a bad press because they are guilty of employing untrained staff who are supposed to know how to build and service a bike. I have had mixed experiences with them even at the same branch, one guy thought all front mechs were band on until I mentioned braze on but I just bought a voodoo mountain bike and it was all put together perfectly well and the guy I dealt with certainly knew his stuff.
  • unixnerdunixnerd Posts: 2,864
    In your shoes I'd look to spend maybe 300-350 on a Cannondale CAAD8 or Specialized Allez with a 105 groupset that's maybe two years old. Good bit lighter than the TDF with much better components.
    http://www.strathspey.co.uk - Quality Binoculars at a Sensible Price.
    Specialized Roubaix SL3 Expert 2012, Cannondale CAAD5,
    Marin Mount Vision (1997), Edinburgh Country tourer, 3 cats!
  • katiebobkatiebob Posts: 208
    Cheers all. Hadn't considered ebay.

    Will keep my eye out.
  • philwintphilwint Posts: 763
    TDF has the worlds heaviest wheels, so you might want to upgrade them pretty quickly (which will add to the cost)

    More importantly is is massively over geared for a beginner if you are in an even slightly hilly area. I got round this (in hilly West Yorkshire) by fitting a 34T mountain bike cassette. If you live in a flatter area, or are already good and fit, this might not be an issue.
    Phil

    www.philwinterbourne.co.uk
  • oxomanoxoman Posts: 11,183
    If your near De11 I'm currently selling a 19" TDF with tiagra rear mech on eBay willing to negotiate with fellow forumites.
    Too many bikes according to Mrs O.
  • katiebobkatiebob Posts: 208
    Thanks but nowhere near!! Im in Watford! :-)
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