Carrera (halfords). Your advice please

[Luked1980]

Hi all,

I am new to the forum and new to cycling. (Longest ride so far being 8 miles

I have stupidly / bravely signed up to do a charity ride from Aberdeen to Portsmouth over 6 days.

So, the dilemma. I have borrows a Carrera from my brother In law that I have started to use. Some people have told me that it won't be up to the task and I am better of with a better bike. Others have told me different. The guy I. My local shop told me I need a new one, but then got the 2015 catalogue out so he may have been slightly biased

Would really appreciate your advice / thoughts

Ps. Also doing the 42 mile South Downs on the 19th October

Thanks

Luke

 

[cyberknight]

Assuming the bike is in a good condition then it is do able, is it a road bike/hybrid or MTB ? as it will be a lot harder on a MTB.
I have done many miles and the odd sportive on my virtuoso and only changed it to a vanquish recently which i use as a commuter/ winter bike .

Without a piccie of the bike and knowing how worn the parts are its really not possible to say .

 

[Drago]

Unless it utterly knackered it'll be more than up to the task.

 

[Luked1980]

The bike has no more than 20 miles on it. I have probably done 19 of them!!

It is not a MTB or hybrid. Just a road bike. Think it might be called velocity or something beginning with v anyway!

 

[Cycleops]

What will you be carrying? Where will you be sleeping? You need to be able to fix a rack even if taking the bare essentials. Don't even think of a rucksack! There are many Carrera models, which one is it? When we know these details we can better advise.

 

[Joshua Plumtree]

And when exactly is the charity ride? Aberdeen to Portsmouth in only six days seems an awful lot of miles for someone new to cycling, whatever bike you're riding!

 

[cyberknight]

And when exactly is the charity ride? Aberdeen to Portsmouth in only six days seems an awful lot of miles for someone new to cycling, whatever bike you're riding!

+1
i did a google map centre to centre and its at least 600 + miles dependant on route etc.
We are not for a minute saying do not do it , just be prepared to get some training in .

 

[Luked1980]

Sorry for the delay. Just been out on the bike

The ride is going to be next June. I theory should be enough time to train.... So I have been told. We are going to be picking a route so that we can stay in hotels along the way. We have a support vehicle so should be able to carry the stuff in there.

The bike is a carrera virtuoso

 

[MikeW-71]

The Carrera will be fine, as long as it fits you properly etc. and if the ride is not until next June, you've plenty of training time

 

[Joshua Plumtree]

Then you have plenty of time to train through the winter by doing long slowish rides as often as possible.

My advice would be to stick with the Carrera through the winter (if your brother in law agrees!) and then make a decision on the bike choice next spring.

You'll probably have caught the cycling bug by then, just like the rest of us, and insist on a shiny new steed of your own in any case!

Good luck!

 

[alecstilleyedye]

nowt wrong with a virtuoso, as long as it is set up ok in the first place…

for that milage, make sure you get a saddle that you can get on with…

 

[Luked1980]

Still learning. Need to try out a couple of saddles I think. I have a gel one and it seems to be ok. Think I need to get the bike set up correctly and then I can work it out!!