Carrera Virago carbon road bike

[bleesh]

Ok, OK, I know it's a Halfords model, but has anyone got one of these??
Carbon monocoque frame and pretty good spec - currently £799 - and available on the cycle to work scheme.

I've been looking at the "road" bike as opposed to the "time trial" variant which is the only one on the web site.

Reviews I've found so far seem to indicate it is pretty good - but would value a "real world" opinion

Cheers,

Steve

[sebo]

Not sure about this exact model but the Boardman (@ Halfords) bikes are getting decent reviews and real world feedback on here.

[AyBee]

As above, haven't heard of this bike, but the Boardman Carbon Team is getting very good reviews for it's price, as are the rest of the boardman range. If I was looking at a circa 1k bike again, my money would be going on the boardman for definite!!

[mchammer89]

Yeah i'd definitely be looking at a Boardman for that price too, if you can stretch your budget to around £1k then check out the Focus Cayo too.

[anonymous-user]

if you want a sub £1K carbon road bike, as others have suggested ignore the carrera and go for the boardman. i have a boardman team and its a great bike. i would trust a carbon boardman as i know other frame manufacturers got involved in the project, advised Chris etc etc. I would not trust a carbon carrera though as i doubt anyhting like the same level of thought and designewent into the bike.

if you only have £800, ignore the carrera and have a look at the Felt Z80, hte Focus Variado Expert or something else with an ally frame and carbon forks. both are available form wiggle and offer good value for money spec wise.

Edited by anonymous-user on Saturday 18th July 10:04

[whirlybird]

Although I have a small bike repair and build business, I needed a bike asap for my son to use at the Silverstone Duoathons, I understand that the Carreras are built by Merida, who build for just about all the top brands,picked up a Carrera valour for £270, at my local halfords, and will look at the boardmans soon for myself, Having in the past bought in NOS carrera frames, they realy are very good for the money

[Roman]

I think the Virago looks like an excellent bike for £799 (Bike Radar seemed to think it is a great bike when tested at it's original price of £999).

It may not be quite as good as the Boardman team carbon but it is £200 cheaper! The geometry is more 'Sportive' than the Boardman's pure road racing position. I wonder if Halfords are still supplying their £999 Viner Gladius carbon - which also looks like a good bike.

[bleesh]

Thanks for the replies so far.

I was going to spend £600 on a bike, and now work has decided that they
will do the cycle to work scheme - so I'm price limited to £1000 total
price for bike, helmet, lights, and security so can't quite stretch to
the £1000 for just the bike - but there are some options so far.

Thanks again,

Steve

[Nick_F]

If it's the Halfords scheme then I think they throw-in £100 in accessories, so you can commit the full £1k to the bike.

[Rolls]

As per Nick F - they threw in £100 accessories for me..
BUT given the chance, I'd much rather try to get the cycle to work scheme through the likes of evans or so, as the Halfords I delt with in getting my accessories wasn't helpful in the slightest..
The bike itsself took over 3 months to arrive to, but I guess thats my fault for wanting a cyclo-x bike!

[bleesh]

Cheers for all the replies so far people.

However, it's all gone rather quiet on the scheme front from work - I am thinking that they're not going to do it now - out of 15 people there were only about 3 who were interested - and of those only I have ever cycled to work....

Fingers crossed but not looking good......

Steve

[willyjc]

Fingers crossed....
We have the ride2work scheme at my company - my understanding re the £1,000 limit is that you can purchase a more expensive bike however you pay the balance above £1,000 ie no further contribution from govt or company.