Carerra Virtuoso - £249 wasted or not?

[lantern rouge]

I've got a 58cm 2008 Carrera Virtuoso mate (see my pic, left) and I can assure you there's absolutley nothing wrong with it.

Great value and does the business. My branch of HALFORDS set it up lovely and like a previous poster said, it's very upgradable.

It will eventually become a second or "winter" bike but dont let anyone put you off.

 

[johnnyh]

cheers lantern, good to get an owners perspective, am I right in thinking it takes mudguards and a rack?

 

[chris667]

So more a case of will this serve me a year - sometimes with rack and pannier and "comfy" tyres, allow for a few long runs including my July trip and then serve as a back up if I progress.... all for a very cheap price. (I accept it will not have longetivity of parts or become a classic).

If you're looking for a disposable bike, OK, but by the time you've replaced the tyres, fitted a rack it'll be £350. When you replace the wheels which you will unless you only weigh 8 stone, it'll be £450.
Keep a look out, honestly. Are you in the CTC? The local group probably has something.

 

[PpPete]

I've been doing some window shopping on Ebay, and I'm yet to see these fabulously cheap Galaxies.

That's cos I've bought em all !
Seriously though, I bought a couple on eBay last year.

One was very tatty old 1970s 25-1/2" bought for £102 which I've done up for my eldest son. Pictured here.

The other was a late 80s 21-1/2" Super Galaxy for £155. Very tatty paintwork but otherwise OK. Bought on a whim. May get built up for one of the smaller children eventually, but at the moment it's gradually being stripped of its components for use on other bikes.

That's of course in addition to the two Galaxies which my other half and I bought new in 1987 and are still out best bikes.

Galaxy fetish - moi ?

 

[johnnyh]

hehehe I'm only 10 stone mate, I already own the rack and stuff.

 

[lantern rouge]

If you're looking for a disposable bike, OK, but by the time you've replaced the tyres, fitted a rack it'll be £350. When you replace the wheels which you will unless you only weigh 8 stone, it'll be £450.
quote]

I'm 13 and a half stone - the wheels are ok, a couple of loose spokes after the first week thats it

the tyres - unbranded 25mm have done the job in 2008, gonna be replaced with michelin pro race 3's in 2009 for 40 ish quid a pair.

there's some rubbish spouted on here

 

[jay clock]

I agree, finding that bargain "racer" is not easy

(after all this 250 is only 4 tanks of petrol).

if money is not too much of an issue, I would get what I got - Trek 1.2 with room for mudguards and mounts for a rack for £400 (08 model).

Also, the Subway is a great bike and does pretty much exaxtly what you are looking for. I have one and love it

 

[alecstilleyedye]

see the summer bike in my sig. that was a £250 carrera virtuoso, and it was good from the start. it got a groupset upgrade as i wanted lower ratios and to go to 9 speed, but the latest model comes with a compact chainset now so no problem there.

the frame is basically fine, so just upgrade the componentry as you go if you don't have the budget for a better specced bike right now.

the wheels aren't the best, but your lbs will retrue them for very little and mine never needed doing again. i'd make them your first upgrade though.

 

[johnnyh]

Cheers for the input jay, I currently run around on a Giant Boulder with slicks and rack etc, so discounted the Subway as not too much different... though I could well be a mile out

I did look at the trek 1.2, in fact I have it open in another browser window at the moment although it says it has the same STI and 2200 shimano kit as the Carerra lists (2008 model), it also says ... "Bontrager Approved alloy rims" ...that basically means same old stuff from China as all the other cheap bikes, but we get them to press our name into the rim... doesnt it?

I know that sounds cynical, but I spent 7 years importing "hobby" goods from the far east (china, korea, japan, vietnam even), and whilst there were lots of brand names and price points to match, the actual products were much alike. (lets be honest, there simply arent as many factories as brand names.)
Naturally this changes when you get to the top end kit, but I appreciate I am not in the market place this time around.

 

[johnnyh]

cheers alecs

 

[chris667]

I'm 13 and a half stone - the wheels are ok, a couple of loose spokes after the first week thats it

The wheels are the reason I got rid of mine. The handbuilt Mavic T520/Deore which I put on my tourer have never, ever needed attention, even though they've been on several bikes. So although the pair cost £120, they were in fact a lot cheaper than the Carrera's wheels, which I had to take back to the shop a few times to get sorted.

the tyres - unbranded 25mm have done the job in 2008, gonna be replaced with michelin pro race 3's in 2009 for 40 ish quid a pair.

I replaced mine almost immediately, because I got a puncture going home from the shop.
Do what you like. But I think £250 is too cheap to make a lightweight road bike. £400 is pushing it.

 

[johnnyh]

I am beginning to think it is all about expectations and managing our expectations. And must say thanks to all for the input, as I have found it all very useful indeed.

 

[jay clock]

"Bontrager Approved alloy rims" ...that basically means same old stuff from China as all the other cheap bikes, but we get them to press our name into the rim... doesnt it?

I have done 1200km on mine. Some with a few kilos in 2 small panniers, and all with my lardy 85-90kg body and I am pleasantly surprised that they are still dead straight

 

[johnnyh]

well the deed is done and it is sat in the kitchen. so however uncool the Carerra name, I am chuffed and excited about getting out on it

the Halfords guy was excellent and spent a good time checking it in front of me, a regular chap I see in there and took time to explain it all as he went.

yes it is low cost, I am sure it aint perfect, but it will carry me many miles I am sure

I did go look at a Trek or two before I spent the cash, and they did appear better finished, but so they should at twice the money. pays your money and takes your pick I guess.

But a road bike for the first time in 20 years... should be interesting!

 

[HEnry Roddas]

I have a 2007 Virtuoso and have written a review on my blog

http://notesfromacyclingfreak.blogspot.com/

check it out!