Carrera vanquish - advice needed please

[Marky665]

Hi,

I am looking to but a carrera vanquish off a friend, which is a brand new bike. Unsure if its the 12, 13 or 14 model but its new. What do you think of this as a first road bike? Looking to do a few events with it next year. He only wants £250 so i think its a bargain no?!
Thanks.
Mark.

 

[jagman.2003]

I believe they are good for first bikes. Not the lightest or the best kitted out. But good enough to do some distance & good all round appeal.
The only thing I would check is the price. Halfords seem to have bikes on permanent sale so check that price not the RRP.
Might give you some room to haggle if required.

 

[Deleted member 35268]

Check ebay sold items for comparative value. If it is a 13 or 14, it could be good value. Older than that and I would say a bit pricey. As a first road bike it would be fine, but you'll (hopefully) soon thereafter want a Trek, Giant etc. For £350 or less, a second hand Giant Defy is a good deal.

 

[Marky665]

Im sure its the 13 or 14 model...and other vanquish's slightly used go for around £300! So cant argue for a new one at £250?
Thanks guys....i recently did a sprint tri on my mates rayleigh airlite 100 which seemed good.

 

[jagman.2003]

From some recent research myself the Raleigh, Carrera, Claude Butler, Merlin & BTwin are all in the same ball park with some subtle price & spec variations. All reasonable bikes, just about finding the right one or price for you.

 

[cyberknight]

Is it the 2012/2014 model?
The one with 9 speed sora with thumb shifters , alloy fork
http://www.bikeradar.com/gear/category/bikes/road/product/review-carrera-vanquish-12-45924/
Given that you can geta brand new bike with a carbon fork and paddle shifter + same wheels + less weight for £300 i think you need to knock off about £75 the asking price even if its mint.

 

[roadrash]

I would tend to agree with @cyberknight

 

[Marky665]

Sorry i think its the 15 model
The grey and green design not black and green

 

[cyberknight]

Sorry i think its the 15 model
The grey and green design not black and green

Just had a look at the spec , same as the £300 brand new merlin that comes with better wheels
http://www.merlincycles.com/merlin-performance-road-pr7-bike-73113.html
Brand new from halfords that vanquish is £429 , i leave it up to you
I built a vanquish frame up myself as a commuter /winter hack
Frame was £40 , wheels i had in stock (£70 new) , shifter bought new /old stock from ctc £60 , cables £10 , boardman saddle .
Same alloy/ carbon as that bike , same shifters, better wheels and commuterized with rack, gaurds etc .

 

[roadrash]

having seen the merlin in the flesh , so to speak, i would go for the merlin over the carrera.... but then again , after having owned a giant defy 2 , i would try to stretch my budget by another £95 and go for something like this,
( allthough i dont know what your budget is
http://www.gumtree.com/p/bicycles/giant-defy-2-2011-2012-model-bike-/1083465384