Halfords Carrera TDF road bike for €312

MiskyBoyy

As seen HERE

Any good??

Opinions welcome please.

Fatbiker

Saw that lat night myself and found this thread here http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?p=85734382

Seems good value but I hesitate to pull trigger on this...

happytramp

Fatbiker wrote: »

Saw that lat night myself and found this thread here http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?p=85734382

Seems good value but I hesitate to pull trigger on this...

Why? Nearly all the reviews of them are positive. For 300 quid you get to experience what proper road cycling is like and decide if it's something you'd like to invest more time and money in. Even if it's just something you use the odd time it's still worth it.

MiskyBoyy

After reading the other post about it, it seems to be a very decent bike for that price! I will definitely get one but only if it stays on sale for another good while

ezra_pound

happytramp wrote: »

Why? Nearly all the reviews of them are positive. For 300 quid you get to experience what proper road cycling is like and decide if it's something you'd like to invest more time and money in. Even if it's just something you use the odd time it's still worth it.

Great buy. I have one and recommend it- unless you're planning on spending at least twice the money you're not going to get better. I an planning on upgrading some bits slowly-tyres then wheels for a start but it's decent enough for a beginner as is.

Fatbiker

happytramp wrote: »

Why? Nearly all the reviews of them are positive. For 300 quid you get to experience what proper road cycling is like and decide if it's something you'd like to invest more time and money in. Even if it's just something you use the odd time it's still worth it.

I'm indecisive about large purchases and I hate the colour!:rolleyes:

MiskyBoyy

Fatbiker wrote: »

I'm indecisive about large purchases and I hate the colour!:rolleyes:

Colour could be a little better but it's not that bad. I seen it in store and it's tolerable. Beggars can't be choosers :P

DubVelo

It's grand.

The way I see it, more money saved on this as my winter/training bike is more money left in my pocket for a summer/race bike for when I get a bit fitter.

It's got the new double-lever type shifters too, not the **** old ones where you wouldn't reach the up shifter from the drops.

Beer Assistant

Here is my Carrera before and after a few changes, Changed tyre's, pedal's, bar tape and seat post so far, still need to change a few more bits...

Dcully

Bought one for €437 three weeks ago,sick now looking at that price.
Ive clocked up almost 500 k on it so far, great bike for someone like me starting back cycling after many years away,bargain imo.
Ive only replaced the saddle so far, happy with everything else.

spoke2cun

Same as that Dcully. Bought it for that price last year. But I have to say its a good bike even at the more expensive price. I'd go for it Da Lad.

Felloffmebike

In my local Halfords they seem to be offering it in one size only, 58cm, large. So a real good deal if you're a big lad. My short legs wouldn't reach the pedals...

blatantrereg

DubVelo wrote: »

It's grand.

The way I see it, more money saved on this as my winter/training bike is more money left in my pocket for a summer/race bike for when I get a bit fitter.

It's got the new double-lever type shifters too, not the **** old ones where you wouldn't reach the up shifter from the drops.

It says it has 2300 shifters; which are the ones with the unreachable buttons.

MiskyBoyy

Thanks for the feedback guys. I would buy it this minute if I had the cash! It's going on my, buy ASAP list

Squidgy Black

blatantrereg wrote: »

It says it has 2300 shifters; which are the ones with the unreachable buttons.

They're far from unreachable. It's only when you're in the drops that you can't really reach them, but they're great from the hoods.

But yeah they still don't have norma double brifters, no bike with 2300 does.

Seaneh

These are on sale because *most* shops realise that it's now going to be hard to shift bikes with the 2300 shifters now that Shimano are releasing the 2400 "Claris" groupset which is basically just 8 speed tiagra.

Those 2300 shifters are 3-4 years old at this stage and I seriously expect a lot of shops and online retailers to massive cut prices on bikes with 2300 as they will now have the "new" model of the same bikes coming in with the Claris groupsets and trying to justify the older bikes being only a little cheaper is going to be hard work.

Fatbiker

_Tyrrell_ wrote: »

But yeah they still don't have norma double brifters, no bike with 2300 does.

Can you explain what this means? For a newbie? Thanks, FB

Surveyor11

The new shimano 2300 / Sora has both a paddle shifters for the brake and gears, as the higher group Tiagra has currently. so all controlled with the fingers. Some people don't like the thumb shifter on the older Sora, which is used to shift down. Personally doesn't bother me, but them again it's on my commuting bike which I will seldom be riding in the drops, and even if I do I can use the thumb shifters without too much hassle. This forum has the jist: http://forums.bicycling.com/topic/54635607125681370

C3PO

Can't believe we've got another thread going on the Carerra TDF!!

DubVelo

Do ya's want a photo as proof or wha?!

The kid in the shop told me it would come with the new double lever shifter, not the type on the display bike.
As promised, mine came with the new Claris shifters. Hence my post.

wonderboysam

you could order this instead for £330 from the belfast store

Frame
aluminium with a built-in head tube

fork
carbon with aluminium dropout

Drivetrain
Shimano 2300

Wheels
B'Twin Sport

available sizes
45 - 48 - 51 - 54 - 57- 60 - 63

type of tyres
B'twin FRC stiff bead

Pedals
Pedals with toe clips for sizes 54cm, 57cm, 60cm and 63cm

weight of bike in size 57
10.5 kg

make sure to get this model the newer one doesnt have the carbon fork!

Seaneh

DubVelo wrote: »

Do ya's want a photo as proof or wha?!

The kid in the shop told me it would come with the new double lever shifter, not the type on the display bike.
As promised, mine came with the new Claris shifters. Hence my post.

If yours has the new Claris shifters and only cost €312, it's a bargain.

Seaneh

The befast store only has the smaller size in stock, so unless you're not very tall, it's not a goer.

Darkglasses

DubVelo wrote: »

Do ya's want a photo as proof or wha?!

Yes! We always like seeing photos of each other's bikes!

wonderboysam

Seaneh wrote: »

The befast store only has the smaller size in stock, so unless you're not very tall, it's not a goer.

ah yeah my bad I ordered it a month ago!

could check out the newer model or the triban 5 @ £429

Squidgy Black

Yeah I'd like to see a picture!

Chances are you got lucky and they only had one or two in stock of course, it's the first one I've heard of with the new shifters.

All of the last batch bought have the thumb shifters and a few from the latest orders.

Seaneh

wonderboysam wrote: »

ah yeah my bad I ordered it a month ago!

could check out the newer model or the triban 5 @ £429

The 5 is nice, it's actually a different frame as well, it has rack mounts on the seat stays (don't think the 3 does, but could be wrong).

And yeah, I second the avoid the new model of the 3 as it has microshift shifters (a pain in the arse to get working perfectly) and also has an aluminium fork not the carbon fork on the old 3 (the new 3 does have rack mounts though).

Surveyor11

I have a Triban 5 with the old Shimano Sora shifters. It has carbon forks and a carbon stay as well. Has eyelets back and front for mudguards, a well as holes for a rear pannier. One thing is the frame clearance is tight at the forks - careful choice of mudguards (if required).

Whether it's the Carerra or the Triban, a wheel upgrade is a must. The Triban ones are cr@p.

Dcully

My TDF came with the shifters like the ones on that link someone posted above, was different than the display bike.

Fatbiker

Surveyor11 wrote: »

The new shimano 2300 / Sora has both a paddle shifters for the brake and gears, as the higher group Tiagra has currently. so all controlled with the fingers. Some people don't like the thumb shifter on the older Sora, which is used to shift down. Personally doesn't bother me, but them again it's on my commuting bike which I will seldom be riding in the drops, and even if I do I can use the thumb shifters without too much hassle. This forum has the jist: http://forums.bicycling.com/topic/54635607125681370

Many thanks. I get it now. Still I hesitate...

Lepidoptera

Ah blast. I was really thinking about going for this bike now for the winter, but now I see that the smallest size appears to be the 54cm. I think that might be a bit of a stretch for me.

Squidgy Black

Lepidoptera wrote: »

Ah blast. I was really thinking about going for this bike now for the winter, but now I see that the smallest size appears to be the 54cm. I think that might be a bit of a stretch for me.

Compact frame size, smaller stem and shimmy the saddle forward and you should be fine.

ezra_pound

DaLad wrote: »

Thanks for the feedback guys. I would buy it this minute if I had the cash! It's going on my, buy ASAP list

This price will go back up on Monday so you may be waiting a while for it to be reduced this low .

AltAccount

Seaneh wrote: »

If yours has the new Claris shifters and only cost €312, it's a bargain.

I got one about 6 weeks ago I'd say for €312. Its got Claris on it too.

If I were buying one this weekend I'd insist that it had Claris

Scrappy600

Collected mine two weeks ago. Claris shifters on it but I did insist on them as its part of why I ordered the tdf not the zelos. Plenty of bike for me for now anyway. Did 43k for my first spin the other day and no complaints about it. Great value.

nipps

I'm considering buying this too. I'm 6 foot 1 and 75kg, but am unsure about the size. should i go for the 54cm or would a bigger size suit me? thanks

AltAccount

Definitely get the Large size

BofaDeezNuhtz

Lepidoptera wrote: »

Ah blast. I was really thinking about going for this bike now for the winter, but now I see that the smallest size appears to be the 54cm. I think that might be a bit of a stretch for me.

But if you got Snow White and the other 6 dwarves to do a group buy
they might specially build them in the factory for you :D

AltAccount

Lepidoptera wrote: »

Ah blast. I was really thinking about going for this bike now for the winter, but now I see that the smallest size appears to be the 54cm. I think that might be a bit of a stretch for me.

What height are you? It's a small frame for its size

Lepidoptera

AltAccount wrote: »

What height are you? It's a small frame for its size

5'4"

AltAccount

Definitely sit on one, I'm 5"6 and I've got the saddle quite high

T-Maxx

I wish this special would pass. It's just too tempting.

Lepidoptera

T-Maxx wrote: »

I wish this special would pass. It's just too tempting.

It ends today, so anyone on the fence should make up their mind! (though it was on offer like this for longer a couple months ago, so it might repeat again, who knows?)

I nipped in and decided to go for it finally after sitting on one. I asked to be sure it would have the Claris shifters, as one of the display models had the old ones and one had the new ones. I'm excited and have decided to name it the Bumblebee :pac:

Squidgy Black

I think it was only about a month ago or so that they had it at this price for nearly 3 weeks.

But with all the new models with Claris coming in, I wouldn't be so sure that it'd happen again. I'd say they were hoping that staff would sell off the older models.

ezra_pound

_Tyrrell_ wrote: »

I think it was only about a month ago or so that they had it at this price for nearly 3 weeks.

But with all the new models with Claris coming in, I wouldn't be so sure that it'd happen again. I'd say they were hoping that staff would sell off the older models.

I think the price was more about 370 last time.

Squidgy Black

ezra_pound wrote: »

I think the price was more about 370 last time.

Nope, it dropped down to 312 after about a week. I know for a fact it did because I thought about getting one with a company discount that would have brought it to 274.

ezra_pound

All the smart ballsy guys are snapping these up. You can bet that Brendan o Connor just invested in a truckload of them.

Scrappy600

_Tyrrell_ wrote: »

Nope, it dropped down to 312 after about a week. I know for a fact it did because I thought about getting one with a company discount that would have brought it to 274.

Yup. Same here

scotchy

Just bought this today, well paid for and ordered, the price is still €312.

I used my Axa card and got 10% off, so paid €281.

Should be ready by Friday.

Great price for a winter bike.

.

blatantrereg

I've more or less decided to get this, after dithering for months about what bike to get.
Any recommendations on the components?:

Tyres: Will replace these with gatorskins
Saddle: Replace this? Will a saddle from a mountain bike or hybrid fit it? I have a saddle that is fine if so.
Pedals: Please recommend better pedals.
Handlebar tape: Is it a good idea to replace this?
Mudguards: Planning on putting on crud roadracer mk2 ( normal mudguards don't fit).
Lock: Kryponite evolution shackle. It's the strongest lock halfords sell. And a chain or cable. I want to use this for general use, which would include leaving it in Limerick city sometimes. (One reason I think I'll get this bike instead of something 2-3 times the price on the bike to work scheme.)

Cee-Jay-Cee

If your new to cycling but still want clipless pedals then I recommend Look Keo Easy pedals. Extremely easy to clip in and out of yet secure enough that you won't accidentally unclip.