Differences between Carrera bikes?

[EventHorizon]

At first glance i thought all Carrera road bike were pretty much the same but looking at a few reviews on bike radar proved otherwise.

So BR has given the TDF 3.5 stars & the Virtuoso 4.5? Do they have different equipment or is one of them better for a reason? They are roughly the same price. (which just adds to the confusion)

TDF is 11.3kg im not sure how much the virt weighs.


Thanks

[Sarkmeister]

The Virtuoso has a better spec (Tiagra/Sora mix instead of Sora/2300). Generally some Halfords bikes spend a fair amount of time at false prices so they can claim large reductions. I assume the TDF will be reduced at some point.

[CaptainSlow]

Virtuoso is a mix between Sora/2300 and the TdF is 2300. Both are ok for starter bikes but are quite heavy.

As above be careful on Halfords pricing. The Virtuoso should be £380 and TdF £300.

Membership to British Cycling gets you 10% off everything (not just bike stuff).

[EventHorizon]

You mention weight, would a Trek 1200 be a better buy?. Basically im down to a Carrera with after market wheels or a Trek 1200.
The Trek has been used as a commuter & looks used where as the Carrera is almost mint.

Both of the bikes are one size to small for me but i have read you can make adjustments to compensate for this.

[milu]

I'm no expert with road bikes but I've had my Virtuoso for nearly a year and it's been great.
I do fancy an upgrade but it's fine really for my modest ability.

[Fluffsri]

I had a Virtuoso for 8 years. Changed the wheels for Magic Cosmics and that was it. It rode well bit was heavy. Great value for money though.

[Antracer]

Ive also been looking at carrera's, a 2nd hand Vanquish caught my eye. Are shimano wheels & a tiagra rear mech worth an extra £50 quid over the tdf?
Was quite surprised by the spec tbh.

[anonymous-user]

Depends if the wheels are buckled or not, if there is any grease left in the hubs, if the rear mech is bent or straight etc etc, its a bit flippant but you really do need to check over second hand bikes and not buy on the basis that when new, the spec was a little bit better than the cheaper model. On the whole, Tiagra and Sora are good groupsets and reliable if they are maintained.

[Antracer]

my 2nd hand bike search is becoming a nightmare, every time i find the right spec at the right price, it's to small for me. Arrghh.
it appears, taller riders are a minority.

[XG332]

I've had my virtuoso for coming up to a year. Not I'm looking to upgrade.
I have had to change the tyres as they both developed big bulges and the seat post as I'm a long legged person.
I had to have the headset bearing changed under warrenty though. But was changed without fuss.

[anonymous-user]

Buy the red tribal 3 if you can or else the black tribal 5. Both sill be lighter than the tdf and come with carbon forks.

Loving my one, best £300 I have spent a long time.