carrera virtuoso vs claud butler echelon

rowanh

Hi,

I found a guy who is selling some bikes from a shop that closed down, the cheapest road bike he has is a claud butler echelon, it was 700 in the shop and he wants 490 for it, he most likley will come down a bit more. Then Halfords have a carrera virtuoso for 370, i wouldnt have thought they were a good place to get a bike but it seems to get very good reviews. Any thoughts on which would be better for the price, specs below.

carrera virtuoso
Frame Material: Aluminium
Frame Size: 21-22
Gears: 16-20
Gender: Mens
Suspension: Rigid
Frame Size (cm): 51 - 54
Brake Type: Dual Pivot Caliper Brake
Chainset: Pro Wheel Gloria Compact
Forks: Blade Fork with 1-1/8 Steerer
Frame Colour: Black and Blue
Frame-: Lightweight 7005 compact Aluminium
Front Brake: Shimano Lever with Tektro 510A Dual Pivot Brake Caliper
Front Mech: Shimano
Gear Shifters: Shimano ST-2200 16 Speed
Handle Bars: Kalloy Alloy 26mms
Headset: Ahead Set
Hubs: Alloy
Number of Gears: 16
Pedals: Black resin with Toe Clips
Rear Brake: Shimano Lever with Tektro 510A Dual Pivot Brake Caliper
Rear Mech: Shimano
Rims: Double Wall Alloy
Saddle: Carrera
Seatpost: Kalloy Alloy 27.2mm
Stem: Kalloy Alloy
Tyre size: 700 x 25C
Tyres: Innova 700 x 25C
Wheel size: 700C
Approximate Weight (KG): 10.

review http://www.bikeradar.com/gear/category/bikes/mountain/product/virtuoso-09-34691

claud butler echelon
Frame:6061 T4-T6 Aluminium 700c Road Frame With Aero Down Tube And Semi Integrated Head Tube Includes Mudguard Capability
Fork:12k Weave Carbon Fibre Close Clearance Design
Front Derailleur:Shimano 16 Speed STI System
Rear Derailleur:Shimano 16 Speed STI System
Shifters:Shimano 2200 Shift Levers
Chainset:RPM CRD Double Chain Set With Alloy Cranks
Chainrings:53/39 tooth chainrings
Bottom Bracket:Durable Cartridge Bottom Bracket
Pedals:Toe Clips And Straps
Front Brake:Alloy Dual Pivot Long Reach Design With Quick Release Cam System
Rear Brake:Alloy Dual Pivot Design With Quick Release Cam System
Handlebars:Alloy 31.8mm Drop Bar
Stem:Alloy +7 Degree Rise Stem
Headset:Semi Integrated Oversize "Aheadset"
Grips:Claud Butler Cork Handlebar Tape
Rims:Rigida Nova Double Wall Narrow Profile Rims With Machined Side Wall
Front Hub:Formula Alloy 32 Hole. Quick Release Hub
Rear Hub:Formula Alloy 32 Hole. Quick Release 8 speed Freehub
Spokes:Stainless steel spokes
Front Tyre:Kenda K-Sport 30 Tpi 700 X 23c
Rear Tyre:Kenda K-Sport 30 Tpi 700 X 23c
saddle:Claud Butler Sport Race Saddle
Seatpost:Alloy micro adjust seat pillar


Any thoughts would be appreciated. Im wondering would one of these be better than trying to find something second hand, i am slightly wary of buying something second hand and it having problems...

Rowan

rowanh

No one has any thoughts on this at all? Im thinking i might get the halfords one, im going to go take a look at it anyway, im wondering if i would notice the difference having carbons forks? Also im wondering if a used bike with sora or tiagra bits might be much better, ill see if they have bikes in halfords when im there that have those bits to compare. I might try looking at some bikes in a proper bike shop too.

kona

both are Entry Level.

What are you using them for, are you doing serious mileage or just cycling less than 10 miles a day?

velo.2010

If your willing to spend up to E450 then there's plenty of Specialized Allez's (Black)2008/2009 on Ebay UK for that sort of money. Factor in E100 for shipping and you might get a bike with Sora chainset/carbon fork for E500.

A better option all round in terms of future upgrades. My opinion only of course.

edit, seems to be just one of the above bikes for auction at the moment.

rowanh

kona wrote: »

both are Entry Level.

What are you using them for, are you doing serious mileage or just cycling less than 10 miles a day?

12kms a day at the moment.


Thanks Velo ill have a look on ebay.

kona

rowanh wrote: »

12kms a day at the moment.


Thanks Velo ill have a look on ebay.

If you could get a specialized for the same money or a little more, go for the specialized

Id avoid second hand, too many dodgey bikes.