Carrera Virtuoso or BTwin Triban 500

[Marty2131]

Hi guys

Just signed up just now, looking to get into cycling and never done anything but borrow my mum's rusty old mountain bike and cycle 20 miles on it and enjoyed it so looking to do it properly.

I am in a bit of a pickle, I know Carrera are judged, especially in the cycling world, and that everyone says pick BTwin over Carrera any day of the week, especially as they are both similarly priced.

My problem is I have seen a Carrera Virtuoso for sale second hand, done around 150 miles and is for sale in my size for £140 including a MET helmet. My other option is the BTwin at £300 for the 500 SE, and £350 for this year's 500, both brand new.

What is my best bet? Buy the poorer bike knowing it's a fraction of the price or spend 300-350 on my first bike , never trying it before?.

If the BTwin is the absolute must option of the two, does anyone recommend it, or is there better bikes for the same price?

Sorry about the length of the post! Hope someone can help.

Thanks.

 

[Spiderweb]

Welcome.

For your first road bike I would go with the second hand Carrera. You may want to upgrade at a later date so you would pretty much get your money back on the Carrera should you choose to sell. Nothing wrong with Halfords Carrera range of bikes, just avoid their Apollo branded rubbish.

How tall are you @Marty2131 and what size frame are you looking at?

 

[Drago]

Ignore the armchair experts. Go ride them, buy the one that tugs your rug. Its your arriss in the saddle, no one else's.

 

[rugby bloke]

Hello and welcome Marty.

I know that the BTwin is generally rated over the Virtuoso, I've not ridden one so I cannot comment However I'll put my hand up for the lowly Virtuoso. I bought one 2 years ago for the RideLondon. Since then it has served me fine, its got me around the Ridelondon twice, fairly easily and taken everything else thrown at it in during all the training miles. The only problem I have had is with the front shifter. This was always temperamental, I imagine due to the quality of the parts. Since getting it sorted by a LBS it has been fine.

Having said that, for £300 you could pick up a really nice second bike !

 

[Cycleops]

Hello and welcome. Glad to hear you're getting into biking, be careful it can become addictive!

How tall are you @Marty2131 and what size frame are you looking at?

This is the most important aspect. I'd agree, go for the Carrera if its your size. The Triban is a better bike, nothing else comes close for the money, but you might want to save the money. Similarly with the helmet if it doesn't fit you its worse than useless.

Also budget for a secure lock and some cycling shorts, even regular ones, plus some lights. Later you might want shoes. Decathlon do some reasonable gear.

Good luck and have fun. Any other questions please ask.

 

[Welsh wheels]

Welcome to the forum! As others have said, make sure you get the right size firstly. I would suggest getting a BTwin. It may be more expensive, but unfortunately, if you want a decent bike you have to be prepared to pay a fair bit IMO, at least £300 I'd say. Others may disagree but a decent bike is well worth the investment especially if you planning on doing lots of miles.

 

[Marty2131]

Wow so many replies so quickly, thank you!

In terms of size, the Carrera is a 54cm and I am 5ft 8 roughly. I was in Halfords and he suggested that size with the seat down, though admitted he wasn't a cycling specialist and was more of a mtb guy.

In terms of helmet, I have one my size, it has just been offered in the deal and thinking I may be able to sell it if it's not my size.

Thanks for the quick and extensive replies, much appreciated!

 

[dhd.evans]

Welcome aboard. I've owned a Triban 3 and now a Triban Ultra 700 AF and for the money (i paid £299.99 for the 3 and i think you can get the 700 AF for about £550 now) they are simply the best thing on two wheels.

I did a lot of research on bikes of similar spec to the Ultra 700 and every other model (Specialized, Trek etc.) with the same specs came in about two hundred quid more.

The 500SE for £300 looks like the newest version of the Triban 3 and is a great deal. The wheels might be made of cheese in terms of strength but if you're inducted into road cycling you'll soon think of ways to make N+1 happen

 

[cyberknight]

If the virtuoso fits and is as mint as it sounds then it sounds ok , which version is it?, the later ones come with claris shifters with cables under the bars .IMHO the triban might edge the virtuoso on a like for like basis but at that price the second hand one is a steal .
Lets face it if the bug bites you then you will look to get another bike or if you find you dont like riding then you havent lost much .

I have done sportives and many thousands of miles on mine , good entry level bike.

 

[stalagmike]

I own a Triban that I picked up 2nd hand for 150 and it's not let me down yet. But if I was in your position I would go for the virtuoso. You might find you really don't like cycling at all and so won't have wasted your money on a new bike if you decide not to carry on. I also think it's unlikely that the virtuoso would be so badly put together that it would actually be the reason for you giving up. So no need to go for an expensive new bike straight off.

 

[Dec66]

Hello Marty, and welcome.

I will say this only once.

Buy the B'Twin Triban 500SE. And thank me later.

In doing so, you will be buying a bike that rides like one four times the cost, and I know because I've had mine for almost three years. It was the best £350 I ever spent.

You may need new rims after two years (my back one split quite badly), but honestly, it's an absolute corker of a bike.

 

[GrumpyGregry]

If they both fit choose whichever suit your pocket best right now. Then educate your 'arris so you know what better feels like and use the experience thus gained to decide which bike next time.

 

[Spiderweb]

Wow so many replies so quickly, thank you!

In terms of size, the Carrera is a 54cm and I am 5ft 8 roughly. I was in Halfords and he suggested that size with the seat down, though admitted he wasn't a cycling specialist and was more of a mtb guy.

In terms of helmet, I have one my size, it has just been offered in the deal and thinking I may be able to sell it if it's not my size.

Thanks for the quick and extensive replies, much appreciated!

Always good to try them out first but at 5ft 8" 54cm sounds correct, I'm the same height and ride both a 52cm CX bike and 54cm road bikes.

 

[vickster]

Carreras don't always use the top tube for the 'sizing', take a tape measure and have a test ride. It could be too big if they've used the seatpost for the 54cm

 

[craigwend]

Wow so many replies so quickly, thank you!

In terms of size, the Carrera is a 54cm and I am 5ft 8 roughly. I was in Halfords and he suggested that size with the seat down, though admitted he wasn't a cycling specialist and was more of a mtb guy.

In terms of helmet, I have one my size, it has just been offered in the deal and thinking I may be able to sell it if it's not my size.

Thanks for the quick and extensive replies, much appreciated!

Current size guide:
http://www.halfords.com/cycling/bikes/road-bikes/carrera-virtuoso-road-bike

Size Guide

Height (Inch) Height (cm) Frame Size
5' 3" - 5' 9" 162 - 177 51cm
5' 8" - 6' 2" 175 - 183 54cm