---

Page may contain affiliate links. Please see terms for details.
Spiderweb

Spiderweb

Not So Special One
Location
North Yorkshire
bumblebee said:
They had a 46cm one available in my local store, I will need to contact them to find out where I can find a 43cm to try out.

Otherwise I can purchase online through halfords eBay store.

I didn't want to spend more than £250 really in total. I have a £50 voucher that I'd like to put towards the bike Looks like I will be going a bit over, that's without accessories.

My needs are basic really I'd just like a decent, slim road bike, preferably in black/gray that is my size!
Click to expand...
It's always best to try, at 5ft tall I would suggest the 46cm frame.
 
jefmcg

jefmcg

Guru
Location
The dark heart of the former British Empire
Are you sure it's still available? It's from 2014, and this is what I see on the Halfords site
Screen Shot 2016-04-04 at 11.04.39.jpg

You might want to have a look at http://www.halfords.com/cycling/bikes/road-bikes/carrera-zelos-womens-road-bike which doesn't have a carbon fork, but does have the advantage of existing.
 
vickster

vickster

Legendary Member
Spiderweb said:
It's always best to try, at 5ft tall I would suggest the 46cm frame.
Click to expand...
Except halfords suggest the 43cm for 5'0. I don't think carrera road bikes are measured by top tube, rather downtube

Need to seek out the full geometry chart and try the two sizes. However, given there are only two options, smaller for smaller women, bigger for more average heights, 5'3-5'8. Useless for those of us who are 5'10!

Look at the comments in the reviews on sizing...eg

I commute to the train station on a heavy mountain bike and hate it. Wanted to get a road bike but reluctant to spend so much money. Then saw this bike and read the reviews. It's light and looks really smart. I'm five foot two and purchased the 43cm but still had to have some of the seat post sawn off. I've purchased new peddles but only because I have cleats on my shoes. The handlebars are on the chunky side as I've had difficulty finding a front light/torch bracket to fit. For £240, this is an affordable starter road bike. Happy with my purchase.
 
K

Karlt

Well-Known Member
Tribans at Decathlon go quite small and even have one with 650 wheels rather than 700s - might be suitable and better proportioned if you're five foot nowt!
 
jefmcg

jefmcg

Guru
Location
The dark heart of the former British Empire
Just had a look at the decathlon site. The 500SE is out of stock in XS, and the 500 has a steel fork and a microshift gears (I don't know much about them, but they are only on the cheaper bikes). Add to that the fact that @bumblebee has a £50 Halfords voucher, I'd say the bike she's looking at is probably the best value in that price range.

Of course, I know the Triban's are great bikes, and she wouldn't go wrong with that, and the £50 voucher will easily be spent on racks or panniers or whatever if she buys from somewhere else.

bumblebee said:
However, firstly, it's designed for men! Does this mean it won't be right for me and I should steer clear?
Click to expand...

There is no need to stick with women's bikes, BUT if a manufacturer has different models for male and female, then the smallest sizes will only be in the women's range. If you have the opportunity to test ride bikes, you may find a woman's frame suits you better than man's. but you may not.
 
Last edited:
Spiderweb

Spiderweb

Not So Special One
Location
North Yorkshire
bumblebee said:
This may be a stupid question but I need to ask before I buy...

There is a Male version of this bike available as well which I saw in store, it was stunning, if I had my way I would choose the Mens edition just based on the colour :blink:

However, firstly, it's designed for men! Does this mean it won't be right for me and I should steer clear?

And secondly, I'm only 5ft tall and the smallest size is 51cm - would this be too big for me? (the female version comes in 43cm and 46cm)

What do you guys think?
Click to expand...
There are only 3 things really that determine a female specific bike from a male bike;
1.The top tube is a little bit shorter as most women tend to have longer legs and shorter torso.
2.The drop handlebars are sometimes slightly narrower.
3.They often come with a female specific saddle which usually looks a little more 'chunky'.

Decathlon describe the Triban as short geometry anyway so you can pretty much ignore No.1. The small frame you require comes with either 38 or 40cm wide bars so you can ignore No.2. Decathlon will probably swap the saddle for a female specific saddle free of charge so you can ignore No.3.

I don't own a Triban but bunch of us in our village cycled coast to coast not long ago, 4 of our group were beginners, 3 men and one lady, all bought an earlier model Triban 3. They were faultless, we cycled several hundred miles in training and then the ride itself, not even a puncture!
Just for reference the lady is 5ft 2 1/2" and she rode a 51cm frame. One of the gents changed the saddle as he did not find the saddle very comfy, the others were happy with stock saddle.

So all I'm trying to say is that if you like the look of the Triban and looks are most certainly very important then at £280 it's worth serious consideration.
 
vickster

vickster

Legendary Member
Aren't 650c tyres harder to get than 700c as would be supplied on the appropriate XS model?

OP, where are you located?
 
biggs682

biggs682

Itching to get back on my bike's
Location
Northamptonshire
@bumblebee there is no reason why you couldnt ride the Carrera all the way on the original tyres , but as others have commented some better quality ones like Gatorskins could make the ride a lot less hastle .

Speaking from experience of Carrera wheels get a decent Local Bike Shop to give them a once over as they often seem to be lacking in grease from the factory or production line .

Have you ridden a road bike ?

if the answer is no then feel free if close enough to pop in and try one of mine and see what they are really like
 
pclay

pclay

Veteran
Location
Rugby
Bumblebee, have you allowed for getting all the gear as well? Helmet, cycling shorts, spare inner tubes, pump, water bottles, water bottle cages?
 
Rapples

Rapples

Guru
Location
Wixamtree
jefmcg said:
Of course, I know the Triban's are great bikes, and she wouldn't go wrong with that, and the £50 voucher will easily be spent on racks or panniers or whatever if she buys from somewhere else.
Click to expand...
Indeed.

Using that voucher on the actual bike might be a false economy in the long run.
 
Spiderweb

Spiderweb

Not So Special One
Location
North Yorkshire
Last edited:
biggs682

biggs682

Itching to get back on my bike's
Location
Northamptonshire
Spiderweb said:
Excellent bike for £299!, definately worth considering.
Better spec than the Triban, decent tyres and mounts for mudguards & rack.
Unfortunately the bike doesn't come built, add PDI @ £34.99 to your basket.
Click to expand...

@bumblebee I should think it will just need bars mounting and possibly taping then front wheel,saddle and pedals fitting your local bike shop wouldn't charge more than an hour's labour to do it for you then do a few miles and take it back for a service and ride of to Paris
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top Bottom