Carrera road bikes

[CaptainSlow]

Having had a couple of Carrera mtbs over the last 15 years I fancy getting a road bike. Are the current models any good?

[Roman]

Decathlon's Triban roadbikes are lighter, cheaper and better specced with carbon forks. The cycle mechanics I've dealt with there were experienced ex bike shop guys too.

http://www.decathlon.co.uk/triban-3-id_8167038.htm...

[timnoyce]

After many months of deliberating about which Road bike to buy, and how much to spend I forked out and bought a Triban 3 a couple or so months ago. For the price (£299) there really is nothing comparable in that market sector. The guys at Decathlon 'built' the bike for me to test in the shop and gave it a once over before I bought it and it all worked well out the box.

As has been mentioned this bike has a carbon fork and so is a fair bit lighter than the Halfords offerings and there is a decent level of attention to detail in the package (little things like the chain is fitted with a quick link so you can take it off and give it a proper clean off the bike), the brakes have the cam lever for easy wheel removal and to be fair give pretty good braking performance, the tyres are a branded Hutchinson Nitro which although get a pretty poor review on Wiggle I have cycled probably in the region of 750 miles commuting on mine and have yet to suffer a puncture or any significant tyre wear. The drive train is basic Shimano but is still all working correctly and will be easily tuned once things have stretched and bedded in. The wheels are own branded B-Twins and are going to be heavier than pricier alternatives and no doubt people on here will tell you to replace them before you even consider riding the bike, but for me they will be replaced when they wear out (riding the bike more will make you faster for better health benefits and less money!)

I've put on some SPD's and moved my Charge Spoon saddle over from my spare mountain bike but don't plan to make any major changes to the setup. I may upgrade things when they need replacing or make some cosmetic changes to personalise the bike a bit but I would have no problem recommending this bike to anyone looking for a cheap commuter / entry level road bike.

[BalhamBadger]

Good post tim.

[CaptainSlow]

Thanks for taking the time to give that lengthy reply. That Triban 3 does look well spec'd for the money.

I've gone for the Carrera Virtuoso though mainly becuase it looked quite good and that the nearest Decathlon is a fair way away.

[Fluffsri]

Virtuoso was my first road bike. I used it for 6 years without any dramas except for the wheels. I didnt take to well to the MTB road swapover at first and found I could wheelie my roadbike better than the MTB and it was light enough to bunny hop everywhere. Ended up buying a set of Mavics for it and at the same time bought a Selle saddle for it. Nice bike for entry level and built very well.

[spitfire4v8]

I still prefer my Virtuoso over my old Ribble, and to think it was less than half the price and 10 times the fun! excellent value, but that link posted above looks mighty fine too.