Claud Butler
Author
Discussion

anonymous-user

Original Poster:

83 months

Wednesday 24th August 2011
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Are they any good?

Thinking about buying one of their road bikes. Not expensive and it looks ok.

Mr Will

13,719 posts

235 months

Wednesday 24th August 2011
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Which one?

anonymous-user

Original Poster:

83 months

Wednesday 24th August 2011
quotequote all
Mr Will said:
Which one?
Sorry the Vicenza

yellowjack

18,418 posts

195 months

Thursday 25th August 2011
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Looks ok, but a friend at work bought one of their bikes and I had a yikes moment when I picked it up, as it weighed loads. He's into mixed martial arts/cage fighting, but wanted to try a triathlon. Seriously, I wouldn't advise against it, having had no first-hand experience, BUT - do not go and buy a bike from one brand just because it seems like a bargain. You absolutely MUST visit local bike shops, see the bike, then compare it with other bikes in the same ball-park price bracket. If you don't 'know' bikes, try to find someone who does, and get them to help compare. If the shops have demo bikes, try to book a test ride, and for heaven's sake, buy something that fits you, and that you can 'get along' with. Above all, remember that most of the major bike makers will build and sell bikes aimed at a number of particular 'price points', so get on your heels, and get to your local shops, compare like with like, and make sure, no matter how much a bike is discounted, to ask yourself this question: Is this bicycle worth the sum of money I will ultimately end up paying for it (VFM)?

WeirdNeville

6,048 posts

244 months

Thursday 25th August 2011
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Claude Butler make a range of bikes from Cheap and cheerful to half decent Mid-range.
The've never (IMO) represented the best value for money though, and you should do a bit more digging before buying on the strength of a name alone. Make sure that frame and component specification is good for the money.

shalmaneser

6,424 posts

224 months

Thursday 25th August 2011
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yammyfan said:
Sorry the Vicenza
Yuk.

Sorry, but for the cash you'd be better off on a review winner like a Scott Speedster S55. It doesn't have Tiagra bits like the CB but the frame and general ride is significantly better.

yellowjack

18,418 posts

195 months

Thursday 25th August 2011
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Consider also the Merida Road-Ride-91, thats on 18 speed Shimano Sora, at £699, but I've been no end of pleased with my Merida Road Race HFS 905-Com from last year's range. Great spec for the price I paid.

anonymous-user

Original Poster:

83 months

Thursday 25th August 2011
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On a side note its up for 200 pounds and has only done 500 miles so its like new.

Im open to suggestions for other bikes (be it new or second hand). Not for racing or anything just a fast road bike...anything better then my saracen...

rhinochopig

17,932 posts

227 months

Thursday 25th August 2011
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I had a CB many years ago - my first MTB in fact. It was made out of Reynolds 501 magnum tubing and was one of the heaviest bikes I've ever lifted. I'm surprised they're still going TBH as they were crap in the late 80s early 90s.

anonymous-user

Original Poster:

83 months

Thursday 25th August 2011
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Just googled it & it is £850 in Evans, the same one? Looks decent enough to me if it is!

anonymous-user

Original Poster:

83 months

Thursday 25th August 2011
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cant really go wrong for £200 to be honest. if you find you get on with road bikes it will be far easier to justify a nice upgrade having spent £200 now. to be honest, for £800 you can get a great bike so get a cheap model now and just persevre till you want another bike (because you will!) only the rich or the stupid go straight out and spend thousands on their first road bike to lap the park (in replica team lycra....)

shalmaneser

6,424 posts

224 months

Thursday 25th August 2011
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yammyfan said:
On a side note its up for 200 pounds and has only done 500 miles so its like new.

Im open to suggestions for other bikes (be it new or second hand). Not for racing or anything just a fast road bike...anything better then my saracen...
If you can get it for £200 go for it.

johnxjsc1985

15,948 posts

193 months

Thursday 25th August 2011
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A lot of bikes are from frames made in China brought in by the container load and sprayed to suit.Plenty of good quality second hand bikes on Ebay at much better value.

anonymous-user

Original Poster:

83 months

Thursday 25th August 2011
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if it is the same as the one in Evans website I very much doubt you will get anything better for £200...

Roman

2,034 posts

248 months

Friday 26th August 2011
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Jimboka said:
if it is the same as the one in Evans website I very much doubt you will get anything better for £200...
+1