Some advice on Halfords Carrera TDF

BadCharlie

Well to start off in the last year I have done a lot more cycling then I ever did before. I cycle to work as much as I can which is 9km each way. I use a trek 7.1fx its heavy "so am I at 95kg" but very strong which I like. After a while I started to like the cycle during the week and would take the bike out for spins at the weekend, which would be 24km would like to do longer distance.

Well here is the bike im thinking of getting.
http://www.halfords.ie/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_storeId_11101_catalogId_15551_productId_810707_langId_-1_categoryId_212536#tab2

Its cheap at the moment going at €312. I know this does not mean good. And the parts might not last long, which to be honest would not be a problem for me as I would upgrade the parts as they wear out. Why I like it is cause I don't have much funds money is very tight. Even using BTW I would still have to pay out allot more money on getting a better bike was looking at some bikes in the €1,000 "Low tax bracket".

I will still use the trek for work. And the TDF for weekends & when parts wear out just replace them. Like I said im 95kgs and 6foot 1 so was looking at the large 58cm bike.

Any thoughts?

spoke2cun

I had one for over a year and I can't fault it at all. Didn't have one problem with it. All gears worked perfectly from the start. Got a couple of punctures but I put gatorskin tyres on and that sorted the punctures. Great value at that price.

lennymc

At that price it's a bargain. I had one, no problems. Id nearly buy another one.

killalanerr

still have mine done mallin to mizen on it this year.Its a grand yoke for that money

Squidgy Black

My dad does a similar commute and was up to a couple of weeks ago using a Giant CRS 3 hybrid. He picked up one of the Carrera TDFs on adverts after being passed out by one of his friends on a road bike (this is the logic of old men, he went faster than me, so I have to beat him next time!). He's loving it so far and has knocked off a lot of time on the commute and is going on longer spins and everything now.

I'm tempted to pick one up for myself as a cheap run around.

macnab

I bought a 2nd hand TDF a while back and would have no problem recommending them. Its a good bit heavier than my carbon bike but that's only really noticeable on hills. I would suggest you upgrade the wheels when funds allow, at a combined weight of 4kg, they are a big part of the weight problem, thats about 1kg heavier than a budget wheel set.
I have also upgraded the forks (For free) which shaved another half kilo off, leaving me with a 10kg TDF.
The group set is about 1kg heavier than a SRAM Rival group set, but I will only upgrade when components are worn.

Stella Virgo

belfast bike shop .Triban base model is supposed to be top class
will deliver down south
http://www.decathlon.co.uk/Buy/triban

Leslie91

I take it this 58cm frame is a tad small for someone who is 6"1'.......?

BadCharlie

Thanks all for your replies.

@ Stella Virgo : I saw that bike also. But just for looks alone i like the TDF much more. But the Triban does look to be a slightly better bike.

@ Leslie91 : Was wondering that also my self. It says Large 58cm so maybe i be best to go and see if i can take it for a spin. I know my Trek is 22.5inch and i just put the saddle up another inch and it feels good.

Oldlegs

stetyrrell wrote: »

(this is the logic of old men cyclists, he went faster than me, so I have to beat him next time!).

I corrected the wording for you.

Lepidoptera

Is there much difference between the Carrera TDF and the Virtuoso?

http://www.halfords.ie/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_storeId_11101_catalogId_15551_productId_810601_langId_-1_categoryId_212536#tab2

I'm just getting going and looking around for an entry level road bike at the moment on a limited budget and had been looking at the Virtuoso, but the TDF looks pretty similar and much cheaper.

BadCharlie

@ Lepidoptera : Not sure if the Virtuoso is a better spec maybe someone can clear it up. But it does cost a little extra in this moment of time (looking at it, i dont think it is better).

Well the wife gave me the ok and buy it if i like it. So will be going down tomorrow to make my mind up.

Also googled the size of the bike and found people of 6foot 3 & 4 ridding the bike. They all kind of agree that the bike is to small for people of their size and would suit someone of 6foot or my height of 6foot 1.

Brian?

Leslie91 wrote: »

I take it this 58cm frame is a tad small for someone who is 6"1'.......?

A 58 should be perfect. I'm 6ft2in and have a 58 and 56 in different bIkes.

Beer Assistant

Ordered one online today, to collect tomorrow with a few upgrades in mind im looking forward to getting back on a road bike for the first time in over 20 years.

a148pro

I have this Bike and am happy with it. Just bear in mind that everything on the bike is about as cheap as can be. I immediately changed the cages because they didn't work for me and got clip in pedals. Also had to change the tires as was getting punctures almost every time I went out, only one puncture since I did. Next target tochange is the wheels and also thinking of changing the saddle as my ass does be in bits after about 100k. That might be any saddle though.

All in all still a good bike at that price, you just can't go wrong.

BadCharlie

@ a148pro : I do not like the cage pedal also so they are going to be changed. If i buy the bike i might even cut the cage until i get a clip in. Was reading people saying the tyres are not all that good and only got 1,000 to 2,000km out of them.

What height are you? and did you get the 54cm or 58cm?

a148pro

I'm 6 foot, whatever that is in meters and I can't remember what size I got but from what you're saying I imagine I got the larger one

BadCharlie

Got the bike and so far im very happy with it. But as you guessed it was built by some young boys i would bet. As the gears are not moving all that good up and down at the back. Put it up on my stand last night but only had a few mins and could not fix it my self. Going to look at a few youtube videos to fine tune it, hope i can sort it out for the weekend.

ironkiwi

Post up if you find anything to make the gears better, I have the same problem, I will also do some research tonight hopefully, going to attempt my first 70km over the weekend so want a bit of fine tuning myself.

BadCharlie

Well im taking a half day so i can work on it. I will be left with one child to mind so i will give her some sweats to keep her busy. Will tell the wife and the boys to take their time no need to rush home .

Videos i have watched so far which i find good are

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g_bGcuezsIo (for the back)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lxV_vKlgolc (for the front)

I even think my front is rubbing slightly

lennymc

dont forget about avoiding crosschaining

edit - im not recomending these chain rings - i was just highlight cross chaining.

Lepidoptera

Hope you're able to sort it out, and thanks for posting those videos. They manage to make everything look so simple

spoke2cun

I had a carerra tdf for over a year and I couldn't fault it. I would take it back and tell them your not leaving till its fine tuned. After all they promise a check up after 6 weeks or something like that do they not. Why give yourself the hassle. Maybe its just shop staff that put it together and not a proper bike mechanic.

a148pro

Whenever you buy a new bike the gears will slip after a bit of use, because of this they usually give you a free service after six weeks or so, pretty sure halfords do this as standard, they did with my tdf anyway

Cee-Jay-Cee

Bring the bike back and insist that it's set up Properly. Then in 6 weeks time when things stretch and loosen up being it back for further adjustment but everything should work smoothly from the start so don't listen to any BS excuses from them.

BadCharlie

Took the bike for 2 spins over the weekend.
First one was just getting the seat set up and the next a longer one. Was good over all will take me a while to get used to a road bike again. Set some PR on strava and was not even trying to go fast, when the bike gets upto 50km i would slow it down as im not used to going that fast .

Front derailleur is working 100%, but the back is working maybe 95% its not perfect. Will have to bring it back this week to get them to fix it.

Things i noted.
Bike feels real stiff compaired to my hybird bike.
Bike is very fast on downhills and strights.

Beer Assistant

How was the saddle ?

BadCharlie

I found it all right.
I think my butt is well trained from my hybird.

Tom_Cruise

Thinking about getting this myself, very enticing with the discount.

The Triban 3 is out of stock at the moment according to the website but I've been looking at that as well as both are relatively cheap and i cannot afford to spend much more.

Beer Assistant

BadCharlie wrote: »

I found it all right.
I think my butt is well trained from my hybird.

Ah your ok so, haven't taking mine out yet waiting for a few bits to arrive in the post, i'm expecting my butt to be killing me, i haven't been biking for some years

BadCharlie

Gretts_40oz wrote: »

Ah your ok so, haven't taking mine out yet waiting for a few bits to arrive in the post, i'm expecting my butt to be killing me, i haven't been biking for some years

Oh that it will.
The first time i took my Hybird for a longer spin then normal my butt was killing me for the next 2 days. Just have to build it up slowly.

BadCharlie

Tom_Cruise wrote: »

Thinking about getting this myself, very enticing with the discount.

The Triban 3 is out of stock at the moment according to the website but I've been looking at that as well as both are relatively cheap and i cannot afford to spend much more.

I was very tempted with the Triban 3, but what put me off was i could not get my hands on it NOW, or look and ride it before buying it. Also i don't like the 3rings at the front would rather have 2. But the carbon forks would be a BIG +

Tom_Cruise

BadCharlie wrote: »

I was very tempted with the Triban 3, but what put me off was i could not get my hands on it NOW, or look and ride it before buying it. Also i don't like the 3rings at the front would rather have 2. But the carbon forks would be a BIG +

I don't like to wait for things either, and i don't know how long it will be until they have the Triban back in stock - it seems like a very popular bike it could be a while.

Lepidoptera

The newer model Triban 3s, the white ones, don't have the carbon forks anymore - just the older model red ones. There are actually plenty of the white ones in stock if you click on the Reserve Now option, and you can apparently get them to ship to the Republic if you ring up and talk to someone in the cycling department, at least according to another recent thread on this topic.

I'm still very torn about what to do though.

siochain

Out for my 5th spin this evening and well pleased with the purchase.

BadCharlie

The weight of my bike last night is 26pounds or 11.79kg, so what they said on the web site is very much spot on.
I did this last night as i saw someone else posting up that the Carrera TDF was 14kg or at least the bike they got "but i think maybe the person scales was giving the wrong weight".

I have not got to cycle my bike since the weekend, been just using my tank trek7.1 for work & back.

smackyB

Thanks for the tip on this, OP - made a trip out to Drogheda (only place with stock of the medium frame) and bought one yesterday

BadCharlie

Update : Have it for almost a month now. Only use the bike at weekends and use Trek 7.1 for work days.

What i have done to the bike is:
Fitted SPD & also got SPD shoes which takes a bit to get used to.
Continental GP4000s 25mm but have not fitted them yet. Want to get some more miles out of the existing tyres. Back tyre has a little chunk taking out of it all ready. The tyres that came with the bike seem very soft but grippy at the same time.

What i would like to do:
My friend is giving me shimano 105 set, prob will have them in Oct.
Change wheels some time, maybe go for some handbuilt.
Maybe buy carbon fork.
Get better bar tape. The bar tape that comes with the bike is such poor quality.
Maybe change the seat.

Since i bought the bike i think the price has gone up somewhat. So now at its current price and what you would get does not look like a good deal anymore. But knowing Halfords the price will come back down again in the next few months. I hope others who have bought it are enjoying their TDF's. If i had bought a €800 to 1k bike i would still have done changes to the bike (tyres, Wheels in time, SPD) to bring up the price. Im lucky that my friend is giving me the 105set so i do not have to fork out more.

DubVelo

BadCharlie wrote: »

The weight of my bike last night is 26pounds or 11.79kg, so what they said on the web site is very much spot on.
I did this last night as i saw someone else posting up that the Carrera TDF was 14kg or at least the bike they got "but i think maybe the person scales was giving the wrong weight".

That the medium or large? I haven't weighed mine yet but no way is it 14kg!

Squidgy Black

Yeah it wasn't 14kg, the luggage scale I used was out of whack, it came in at a little over 12kg incl mudguards and accessories.

DubVelo

BadCharlie wrote: »

Update : Have it for almost a month now. Only use the bike at weekends and use Trek 7.1 for work days.

What i have done to the bike is:
Fitted SPD & also got SPD shoes which takes a bit to get used to.
Continental GP4000s 25mm but have not fitted them yet. Want to get some more miles out of the existing tyres. Back tyre has a little chunk taking out of it all ready. The tyres that came with the bike seem very soft but grippy at the same time.

What i would like to do:
My friend is giving me shimano 105 set, prob will have them in Oct.
Change wheels some time, maybe go for some handbuilt.
Maybe buy carbon fork.
Get better bar tape. The bar tape that comes with the bike is such poor quality.
Maybe change the seat.

Since i bought the bike i think the price has gone up somewhat. So now at its current price and what you would get does not look like a good deal anymore. But knowing Halfords the price will come back down again in the next few months. I hope others who have bought it are enjoying their TDF's. If i had bought a €800 to 1k bike i would still have done changes to the bike (tyres, Wheels in time, SPD) to bring up the price. Im lucky that my friend is giving me the 105set so i do not have to fork out more.

Agreed the bar tape is poor, very thin. Must get some better stuff on mine actually.
Like yourself I'm going to get some miles out of the tyres before upgrading them, they're much better than I was expecting.
The only other thing I'm changing is the crankset to a compact one. It's geared a bit high, I'm not fit enough to push it up proper hills.

I'm leaving the wheels etc. as it is; tough, cheap bike for winter. Job done!

BadCharlie

DubVelo wrote: »

That the medium or large? I haven't weighed mine yet but no way is it 14kg!

I got the large.
Using this bike for weekends. Have even 1 time in the top 10 on a segment on an uphill at that.

DubVelo

BadCharlie wrote: »

I got the large.
Using this bike for weekends. Have even 1 time in the top 10 on a segment on an uphill at that.

Nice one! I'm trailing halfway down the board on the climbs myself, I'm not blaming the bike.

I have had it up to 65km/h already though.

Dcully

I bought this bike last week,no problems so far but im finding it rough going with the roads around here.
2 choices stay on main roads and better roads or avoid traffic and totally ****e roads.
Im back cycling after 10 + years and doing so purely casually for leisure and keep fit..
Ive clocked up 109kms since Friday but ive been out on it 4 days so far, i expect that frequency to die down ina week or two, trying to train my arse in asap lol.
Im kinda wondering since my cycling will be casual and the roads are so ****e here should i have got a mountain bike instead?

rizzodun

Dcully wrote: »

I bought this bike last week,no problems so far but im finding it rough going with the roads around here.
2 choices stay on main roads and better roads or avoid traffic and totally ****e roads.
Im back cycling after 10 + years and doing so purely casually for leisure and keep fit..
Ive clocked up 109kms since Friday but ive been out on it 4 days so far, i expect that frequency to die down ina week or two, trying to train my arse in asap lol.
Im kinda wondering since my cycling will be casual and the roads are so ****e here should i have got a mountain bike instead?

Have a road bike (Carrera Virtuoso) and mountain bike, you'll never hit anywhere close to the sort of average speed on a MTB that you will on a road bike, so unless the roads are really, really messed up, if you're planning to do cycling on roads the TDF was the way to go IMO. My MTB is used for trail riding only.

DubVelo

rizzodun wrote: »

Have a road bike (Carrera Virtuoso) and mountain bike, you'll never hit anywhere close to the sort of average speed on a MTB that you will on a road bike, so unless the roads are really, really messed up, if you're planning to do cycling on roads the TDF was the way to go IMO. My MTB is used for trail riding only.

Agreed.

There are things you can do to improve the ride; let a little air out of the tyres, adjust the seat position forward or back a little, fit thicker bar tape or gel pads under the tape, fit wider tyres, fit a different seat. In roughly that order.

Tyre pressure can make a surprising difference, you don't want it too low obviously but you only really need them pumped up to the max psi if you're a heavy rider or have luggage, also you can have the front slightly softer than the back as most of your weight is on the back one.

Road bike wheels have more spring than MTB ones anyway because of the longer spokes.

BadCharlie

I also have a hybrid trek 7.1 with wide tyres 35mm. When i take this bike out the back roads which are crap in my area it shakes me and the bike up. Did the back roads some months ago, and when i got home i told the wife im not going on the back roads again until they are fixed up. I could do a few things to help on the back roads, but its just much easyer to avoid the roads.

ezra_pound

Got this bike recently and was going to change to a compact chain ring. Have since realised that there is no need. I'm finding it grand for going up hills to be honest. Obviously if I was a beginner it would be very tough but I've been cycling a hybrid for last year and am now pretty cycle fit.

Thankfully I spoke to a cycling trainer who scoffed at having to upgrade.

BadCharlie

ezra_pound wrote: »

been cycling a hybrid for last

Same as me, and then when i took the road bike for its first hill climb. Lets say i was shocked at how hard it was. I even started to say to my self i hope i did not make a mistake cause on the Hybird hills are never that hard.

But now im going up hills with a much higher average speed then i could ever do on my hybird.

ironkiwi

I'm finding the hills tough on my Carrera TDF to be honest, any suggestions on changing to a compact chainset maybe? Or do I just need to get used to hills as I'm only back in the saddle 2 months after a 10 years out of cycling

rollingscone

ironkiwi wrote: »

I'm finding the hills tough on my Carrera TDF to be honest, any suggestions on changing to a compact chainset maybe? Or do I just need to get used to hills as I'm only back in the saddle 2 months after a 10 years out of cycling

It depends. The gearing ratio may or may not be the problem.

If you're running out of gears early on and having to use a lot of force to turn the cranks then it might be the problem.

On the other hand if it's just hard going that's an engine problem.

I changed my drive train to a compact and bigger range cassette after having conquered my nemesis hill a few times, nit because I couldn't make it up the hill but for the sake of my knees.