Help with decision

aFlabbyPanda

So I'm going to replace my hybrid that was stolen and I'm going for a road bike instead. I only use it for commuting (9 miles each way) but I'm a fair weather cyclist. As long as its not snowing or blowing a hurricane I'll be on it.

I've narrowed it down to a choice between 4.

1. The btwin triban3 (online)
2. The Giro 300 (local small shop)
3. Carrera Zelos Limited Edition (halfords)
4. Barracuda Black Fin (local shop)

I'm torn between buying local (giro, carrera & baracuda) as the shop was good to me when I bought my hybrid but the insurances doesn't cover the cost of anything other than the triban or carrera. I've read loads of threads about staying away from halfords but is this bike any good? Again the local shop aspect of this is appealing.

Any input appreciated.

Tonyandthewhale

Btwin triban 3, no question. Decent (by entry level standards) 2300 shimano groupset, freehub rather than freewheel rear wheel, carbon fork and a well respected all-round bike for the money.

I wouldn't even consider any of the other three.

RobFowl

I'd tend to agree with Tonyandthewhale although Mrs Fowl has a Carrera hybrid which is still going well 4 years on (but not used all that much)

Tonyandthewhale

RobFowl wrote: »

I'd tend to agree with Tonyandthewhale although Mrs Fowl has a Carrera hybrid which is still going well 4 years on (but not used all that much)

Yeah, carrera make some decent bikes (as opposed to barracuda) but the zelos has a crappy 7 speed groupset, no reason to choose that if you can have the triban.

aFlabbyPanda

Cheers guys, as it turns out the triban3 is out of stock in my size. Of the remainder plus the claud butler criterium which do you think would be the best option?

Tonyandthewhale

How long until it's back in stock? And have you considered going second hand?

Also, what about the carrera virtuoso? http://www.halfords.ie/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_storeId_11101_catalogId_15551_productId_810601_langId_-1_categoryId_212536

I wouldn't rate the claud butler criterium above the likes of the barracuda or the dawes giro 300* and they're fairly crap.

*Bear in mind that dawes do make some really nice bikes, especially touring bikes but the giro range are ****e. Uncomfortable, cheap wheels, poor quality finishing kit.

aFlabbyPanda

Dont know yet. I've emailed them but won't get a reply till tomorrow anyway. Yeah I'd go secondhand no problem but not sure what to look for.

aFlabbyPanda

Also why is the virtuoso a better buy than the zelos?

Tonyandthewhale

BrianjG wrote: »

Also why is the virtuoso a better buy than the zelos?

It's slightly lighter, it's got a far superior groupset (8 speed 2300 versus 7 speed mishmash of tourney and other low end components), it's got more gears, it's got a superior freehub rear hub, a nicer FSA chainset, more comfortable steel forks and the bike as a whole has gotten good reviews for ages whereas the Zelos is new and seems to be just on sale to appeal to the demographic of people looking to buy the cheapest road bike they can find, regardless of quality or value for money.

aFlabbyPanda

Are we talking about the same bikes? The zelos (supposedly) was more expensive. Or is that just marketing.

Zelos, http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_storeId_10001_catalogId_10151_productId_888023_langId_-1_categoryId_165710

Virtuoso, http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_storeId_10001_catalogId_10151_productId_810601_langId_-1_categoryId_165710

Turns out they should have the triban3 in stock just not online so I can still get it. I assume your post above still stands about it being the best?

(thanks for the replies btw).

aFlabbyPanda

The insurance money would only cover 300€ as the bike wasn't listed on the policy. Using the 'buy the best bike you can afford' I bought a used Boardman Team Hybrid for 425€. I think the spec is better than any road bike I was looking at above. And there wasn't huge savings on used road bikes.