Anything better for £225?

welshkev

I'm venturing over from the MTB side so be gentle!

I'm looking at getting a road bike to use over the winter. Probably only doing 50ish miles a week and a bit on the turbo trainer. I don't want anything major, just something that will function.

Is there anything better around than the Carrera TDF ltd edition? I can get it for £225.

http://www.halfords.com/cycling/bikes/r ... -2014-54cm

I don't want the "but for £350 you could get this......" type answers as I'm skint and only want a cheap as chips winter trainer.

thanks in advance

bobmcstuff

One of the Decathlon Triban range? Not sure how cheap they start but they get well reviewed.

welshkev

bobmcstuff wrote:

One of the Decathlon Triban range? Not sure how cheap they start but they get well reviewed.

yeah I looked at those, but they seem to have put their prices up. they're over £300 now.

thanks anyway

GolfingGolfer

I am a big fan of Decathlon/B'TWIN....

Small price drop on the T300 - http://www.decathlon.co.uk/triban-300-r ... 39800.html

dombhoy

second hand triban 3 (red one) would probably come in at that budget it has carbon forks and better groupset than the TDF

gabriel959

At that kind of money I will be looking at second hand.

You wouldn't ride a £225 hardtail would you?

welshkev

gabriel959 wrote:

At that kind of money I will be looking at second hand.

You wouldn't ride a £225 hardtail would you?

yep, but not as my first bike

mfin

Yes, find something second hand. I got someone a PlanetX Pro Carbon with Sram Rival for £250. Not the best carbon bike by a long shot but a completely different league to the Carrera TDF. You might not get a deal as good as that but once you hunt around if you can budget £350 you'd get something pretty good.

navrig2

welshkev wrote:

I don't want the "but for £350 you could get this......" type answers as I'm skint and only want a cheap as chips winter trainer.

On this basis and not having the patience to wait and look for a 2nd hand opportunity then the TDF is it. I wouldn't......, I'd save for the Triban...... or even longer for something else. Put slicks on your hard tail (£40) and use that on the turbo until you have cash.

welshkev

Navrig2 wrote:

welshkev wrote:

I don't want the "but for £350 you could get this......" type answers as I'm skint and only want a cheap as chips winter trainer.

On this basis and not having the patience to wait and look for a 2nd hand opportunity then the TDF is it. I wouldn't......, I'd save for the Triban...... or even longer for something else. Put slicks on your hard tail (£40) and use that on the turbo until you have cash.

where did I say I didn't have the patience to look for a 2nd hand opportunity?

and I don't own a hardtail

gabriel959

welshkev wrote:

gabriel959 wrote:

At that kind of money I will be looking at second hand.

You wouldn't ride a £225 hardtail would you?

yep, but not as my first bike

I know what you mean but seriously if you buy the Carrera you will probably have to change the tyres straight away as they are really poor, the rest is probably ok, although my guess is that you will need a new saddle too.

I would scour eBay, Gumtree and cycling forums for a bargain personally or up the budget a bit, personally

welshkev

gabriel959 wrote:

welshkev wrote:

gabriel959 wrote:

At that kind of money I will be looking at second hand.

You wouldn't ride a £225 hardtail would you?

yep, but not as my first bike

I know what you mean but seriously if you buy the Carrera you will probably have to change the tyres straight away as they are really poor, the rest is probably ok, although my guess is that you will need a new saddle too.

I would scour eBay, Gumtree and cycling forums for a bargain personally or up the budget a bit, personally

cheers for the responses guys. I've seen a few on ebay and the link to the btwin looks good. I may chuck in the extra £50 as like you say, it's a much better spec and will benefit me in the long run.

gabriel959

good one, let us know what you get and how you get on. Good thing with road bikes is that you don't have to spend a fortune to get a decent ride, even with the continued rise of the MAMIL priced bikes and components

arran77

welshkev wrote:

Is there anything better around than the Carrera TDF ltd edition? I can get it for £225.

You can tell this isn't Crudcatcher Kev, no one mentioned blow and hookers yet :roll:

Seriously though the Carrera isn't too shabby although it seems to be £250 now so for another £25 the Triban is another safe bet.

welshkev

arran77 wrote:

welshkev wrote:

Is there anything better around than the Carrera TDF ltd edition? I can get it for £225.

You can tell this isn't Crudcatcher Kev, no one mentioned blow and hookers yet :roll:

Seriously though the Carrera isn't too shabby although it seems to be £250 now so for another £25 the Triban is another safe bet.

I know! but I doubt I could get much of either for £225.

the Carrera was £225 with a discount code. but I agree that the triban is the better option unless I can find something 2nd hand

welshkev

I've found a Triban3 from a guy who lives near me. only used for 1 ride!

I'm hoping it'll be OK, I'm going on the weekend to take a look. Do you thing a 57cm frame will be too big for me at 5'9" though?

I know that trying it for comfort etc is best, I just wondered if anyone has any experience for a rough gauge. cheers

giant_man

Yeah I fear 57cm will be too big for you at 5'9", shame cos it sounds good for you and your budget.

lakesluddite

Inside Leg measurement is a more accurate gauge of a frame's suitability - but I would think a 57cm frame MIGHT be too big for someone 5'9".

I am 5'8" and ride a Scott CR1 in a size 52cm - and I don't think I would go any higher than 52, in fact I'm thinking of going smaller for my next bike.

welshkev

arse! that's what I thought.

I guess i'll go and take a look and see before writing it off.

gabriel959

have you seen this?

more wonga but looks like a cracking bike for the money

http://www.rutlandcycling.com/281903/pr ... 8436334317

jakesurf

I've had a Carrera TDF since 2013, rode about 6000 miles on it so far and haven't had to change a single thing on it yet including tyres. It weighs a bit but that has the advantage that when I get back on my hardtail, it doesn't make my hardtail feel heavy.

For the price I don't think you can go wrong and saves messing about viewing secondhand bikes and waiting for one to come along.

welshkev

cheers for the replies guys.

I got the Triban 3 from the guy local to me. It still has the tags on it!! got it for £200.

just waiting for my pedals to turn up and I'm good to go.

gabriel959

Nice one mate, sounds like you got an absolute bargain!

welshkev

should have added a pic



that front light will be going don't worry