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- Thread starter bumblebee
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User33236
Guest
No reason why it shouldn't 'handle the journey'.
It's not particularly light at 11Kg but typical weight for that price point.
The tyres don't get a great writeup but they are easily changed.
It's not particularly light at 11Kg but typical weight for that price point.
The tyres don't get a great writeup but they are easily changed.
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User33236
Guest
Good question. Mine will be getting transferred ahead but something for the OP to consider.
Racing roadkill
Guru
It's a mechanically solid bike, change the tyres, and it's good to go
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User33236
Guest
The tyres don't get great reviews with people saying they lack grip and have high rolling resistance. You can replace them with better tyres whilst keeping the width the same.
I'm doing L2P in June and will be using a road bike. As the ride is supported, i.e my baggage will be taken between overnight stops by the organisers, I don't require panniers. Your requirements may differ depended on whether you planned to do it supporter of not.
I'm doing L2P in June and will be using a road bike. As the ride is supported, i.e my baggage will be taken between overnight stops by the organisers, I don't require panniers. Your requirements may differ depended on whether you planned to do it supporter of not.
vickster
Legendary Member
You should be able to attach a rack either with p clips on the frame or on a different seat collar postThanks guys
I really love the look of the bike so was hoping you would say it would be okay!
I wasn't sure if a hybrid bike would be more appropriate for the job, from what a guy I was talking to in Halfords said!
Out of interest (I'm a newbie), why would the tyres need to be changed? Is the change avoidable? I like the thin tyres!
I think I might have to install a rack for the journey! Will this be possible on this bike?
Sorry, I'm very new to this! Forgive my ignorance
If you love the bike, go for it. No idea why Halfords think a hybrid better, drop handlebars offer different hand positions which is a good thing on long rides
Enjoy the bike
Racing roadkill
Guru
Thanks guys
I really love the look of the bike so was hoping you would say it would be okay!
I wasn't sure if a hybrid bike would be more appropriate for the job, from what a guy I was talking to in Halfords said!
Out of interest (I'm a newbie), why would the tyres need to be changed? Is the change avoidable? I like the thin tyres!
I think I might have to install a rack for the journey! Will this be possible on this bike?
Sorry, I'm very new to this! Forgive my ignorance
The supplied tyres, are relatively fragile, they don't roll freely, and they are prone to p*nctures. Get some better tyres, and you won't be wasting energy, or time, sorting punctures.
Pale Rider
Legendary Member
The hybrid question relates to whether you prefer flat bars or drop bars.
Only you can answer that, except you can't because you probably haven't had the chance to try both types of bars for any length of time to work out which suit you better.
Clearly, you have to make a choice but it's unlikely you will find drop bars impossible to ride, so as you like the rest of the bike you may as well have it.
Only you can answer that, except you can't because you probably haven't had the chance to try both types of bars for any length of time to work out which suit you better.
Clearly, you have to make a choice but it's unlikely you will find drop bars impossible to ride, so as you like the rest of the bike you may as well have it.
steveindenmark
Legendary Member
Are you carrying your own luggage?
Is all the ride being carried out on roads?
Is all the ride being carried out on roads?
DRM
Guru
- Location
- West Yorks
I have a Carrera Zelos which is basically the same spec, the good bit is it looks like it has mudguard mounts, the bad bits, I changed the saddle as the original was torture at around 15 miles or so, likewise I changed the stem from a 100mm to a 90mm due to backache,the tyres were swapped for some michelin lithion2's at 25mm wide for comfort, again the originals were horrible,the pedals were firstly swapped for flats as the toe straps are a bit dodgy for a beginner & are one sided, it now has clipless pedals, the gearing is not brilliant for hills as there are some big steps between gears, however the stronger you get the less of a problem this becomes, the spec says a carbon fork is fitted, the picture shows what appears to be a steel one as my bike has, so it will be a heavy bike, my advice would be to look around at better spec bikes as I have relegated mine to a winter bike with mudguards fitted, I bought it as a suck it & see exercise to see how I got on with road riding, I think if I was buying a starter bike again I would probably look at Decathlon, Pauls Cycles, Planet X, or even Ribble or Dolan as you could spend a fortune turning the Carrera into a decent spec bike.
themosquitoking
Guru
- Location
- Spain
It's not about the tyres for the trip. The tyres are a fairly poor quality which means they are likely to puncture often. Not what you want when training.
Spiderweb
Not So Special One
- Location
- North Yorkshire
It's a nice looking bike, providing you get the right size it'll be perfect for what you want, it's always good to try before you buy and see how it feels. The drop handle bars and riding position may seem strange at first but after a couple of rides you will soon become comfortable with the riding position, as one of the previous posts mentioned drop bars in my opinion are much better than flats as there are so many more hand positions.
I wouldn't change anything to start with, just ride it and see how you get on. The saddle may be uncomfortable even painful at first but give it time and you'll get used to it (a pair of padded cycling shorts/undershorts are worth buying).
Don't change the tyres, just see how you go first. Good advise is not to ride right at the edge of the road/in the gutter as you are more likely to pick up debris and puncture. A metre out from the edge is good.
This bike doesn't have mounts for a rear rack but most of the time you won't need one. Should you ever require one your local bike shop will supply one with the necessary fittings, they'll even fit it for a small charge.
Just buy the bike and enjoy, Cyclechat is always here for advise and help.
I wouldn't change anything to start with, just ride it and see how you get on. The saddle may be uncomfortable even painful at first but give it time and you'll get used to it (a pair of padded cycling shorts/undershorts are worth buying).
Don't change the tyres, just see how you go first. Good advise is not to ride right at the edge of the road/in the gutter as you are more likely to pick up debris and puncture. A metre out from the edge is good.
This bike doesn't have mounts for a rear rack but most of the time you won't need one. Should you ever require one your local bike shop will supply one with the necessary fittings, they'll even fit it for a small charge.
Just buy the bike and enjoy, Cyclechat is always here for advise and help.
toffee
Guru
Hello
I want to start cycling! I am excited. I have looked around my local halfords and came across the above bike, I'm slightly in love with it. I like that its really light/slim.
Eventually I want to cycle on one of those London to Paris trips!
I wonder if this bike will be able to handle the journey? What do you guys think?
http://www.halfords.com/cycling/bikes/road-bikes/carrera-tdf-womens-ltd-road-bike
As others have said it will get you there.
Mrs T and I completed our trip to Paris last week riding the Avenue Verge on the French side. Most of the way it is a very good surface but in some parts in the later half we were down to gravel and mud and I think the 23 inch tyres on the bike you linked to will be struggling to cope especially if it is wet, which it was last week. We were using 32 inch marthons which were fine.
We took the short Avenue Verge route. If you are doing it all on road then that is different.
Derek