Buying first bike - need help
- Thread starter bikenerd
- Start date
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sleuthey
Legendary Member
- Location
- South Gloucestershire
Neither will be best but if you tell us what's important to you in terms of budget, ability level, distance, terrain etc. then hopefully we can provide pointers on which one should suit your needs.
Cycleops
Legendary Member
- Location
- Accra, Ghana
As above the use to which it will be put to, budget etc is useful.
As a general point I would recommend you choose from the top two as the Zelos, although cheap, has some poor components on it.
So the two left are a road bike and a gravel bike. A gravel bike will have chunkier tyres for unmade paths aand rough ground allowing you to go off the beaten track.
I should pop into Halfords (Carrera is A Halfords house brand) and swing a leg over them, they might even let you take it around outside if you ask nicely.
It's very important to get the right size so I'm hoping there is someone in your local branch that can advise properly.Halfords staff can be a bit hit and miss.
Hello and
to CC
As a general point I would recommend you choose from the top two as the Zelos, although cheap, has some poor components on it.
So the two left are a road bike and a gravel bike. A gravel bike will have chunkier tyres for unmade paths aand rough ground allowing you to go off the beaten track.
I should pop into Halfords (Carrera is A Halfords house brand) and swing a leg over them, they might even let you take it around outside if you ask nicely.
It's very important to get the right size so I'm hoping there is someone in your local branch that can advise properly.Halfords staff can be a bit hit and miss.
Hello and
to CC
Last edited:
DCLane
Found in the Yorkshire hills ...
- Location
- Dewsbury, West Yorkshire
The Virtuoso is a slightly better bike than the Zelos. The Crixus is designed for some light off-road use. I've had both a Virtuoso and a Crixus for reference.
Jameshow
Veteran
I wouldn't be surprised if they weren't all the same bike, just different groupsets and paint jobs.
They will all do the same job and feel the same.
Another option would be something like this:
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/23556720...tixoXeJTeO&var=&widget_ver=artemis&media=COPY
Might not be an option if you using bike to work schemes or want to see bike in person but a much better bike from a good seller.
They will all do the same job and feel the same.
Another option would be something like this:
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/23556720...tixoXeJTeO&var=&widget_ver=artemis&media=COPY
Might not be an option if you using bike to work schemes or want to see bike in person but a much better bike from a good seller.
DCLane
Found in the Yorkshire hills ...
- Location
- Dewsbury, West Yorkshire
@Jameshow - the Virtuoso and Zelos have the same frame, the Crixus a slightly different frame. They've all got different forks and groupsets. Of those either the Virtuoso for road use only, or Crixus for mixed use but the Crixus is very heavy at 15kg.
Alternatively, if you're after a new bike, have a look at Decathlon's Triban 120 at that price point.
Alternatively, if you're after a new bike, have a look at Decathlon's Triban 120 at that price point.
Last edited:
T4tomo
Legendary Member
I was wondering how the heck the Crixius gets to 15kg with its spec, the answer is it doesnt, per a review its about 12kg, so similar to the Virtuoso / Zelos.
The best buy of the Carrera's is the Vanquish, for that you get triple butted alloy frame and carbon forks (vs Steel or alu on the others) and same Claris groupset of the Virtuoso, or the Crixus, if you want to do a bit of gravel / light offroad etc.
Compare all 4 linky
cyberknight
As long as I breathe, I attack.
- Location
- Land of confusion
if your not bothered about disc brakes i would go for the decathlon bike
I have the vanquish for commuting and its ok
edit if you can only choose carrera then the vanquish is the best of the bunch , its a decent bike for the money , be prepared to change the tyres as the come up narrow .
I have the vanquish for commuting and its ok
edit if you can only choose carrera then the vanquish is the best of the bunch , its a decent bike for the money , be prepared to change the tyres as the come up narrow .
