Carrera Virtuoso or BTwin Triban 500

[vickster]

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

Better to err smaller, thus the 54 could be too big. Which could lead to aches and pains especially if new to a roadbike position, or additional outlay for new stems, bars possibly. I'd go with a Btwin

Merlin PR7 also worth a look, although their size guide says 53 if 5'8 which is out of stock
https://www.merlincycles.com/merlin-performance-pr7-road-bike-85148.html

 

[Dec66]

For a 5' 8" chap I would definitely say 54cm for the B'Twin.

I'm a bit bigger (somewhere between 5' 11" and 6') and I have a 57cm frame. The easy way to tell, as those lads at Decathlon will no doubt tell you; sit on the bike and look down at the front wheel. If you can't see the hub because the handlebars obscure the view of it, then you're spot on.

 

[cyberknight]

Better to err smaller, thus the 54 could be too big. Which could lead to aches and pains especially if new to a roadbike position, or additional outlay for new stems, bars possibly. I'd go with a Btwin

Merlin PR7 also worth a look, although their size guide says 53 if 5'8 which is out of stock
https://www.merlincycles.com/merlin-performance-pr7-road-bike-85148.html

Halfords measure the seat tube for size so a 51 on the sloping frame the virtuoso has is liable to be a 54 cm TT and the 54 is a 56 TT, you can get away on the larger bike but your liable to need a really short stem.

 

[craigwend]

Better to err smaller, thus the 54 could be too big. Which could lead to aches and pains especially if new to a roadbike position, or additional outlay for new stems, bars possibly. I'd go with a Btwin

Merlin PR7 also worth a look, although their size guide says 53 if 5'8 which is out of stock
https://www.merlincycles.com/merlin-performance-pr7-road-bike-85148.html

I'm 5"8/9' and have a 52 semi-compact frame . as above I prefer to go slightly smaller rather than be ' stretched ' out and be uncomfortable especially on longer ride's . Each and to their own - however ' you won't grow into it '

 

[Marty2131]

I asked the guys in Halfords and they said 54cm, I will try and get back into the store for another fitting as soon as I can. Just waiting to hear if the Carrera is still for sale and when I can view it, if it's not I'm sure I will be more than happy with the BTwin. Does anybody know the difference between the Triban 500 SE and this year's 500? The 500 is £50 dearer.

Tia.

 

[Cycleops]

I think the 500 is the new 2017 model. Differences between this and the 500SE will be minimal I'd have thought. The Decathlon people will give you a run down.

 

[vickster]

I asked the guys in Halfords and they said 54cm, I will try and get back into the store for another fitting as soon as I can. Just waiting to hear if the Carrera is still for sale and when I can view it, if it's not I'm sure I will be more than happy with the BTwin. Does anybody know the difference between the Triban 500 SE and this year's 500? The 500 is £50 dearer.

Tia.

Post links to the specifications

 

[Marty2131]

Post links to the specifications

Carrera Virtuoso (down to £210 brand new so might sway me) - http://www.halfords.com/cycling/bikes/road-bikes/carrera-virtuoso-road-bike-2015

Triban 500 SE - https://www.decathlon.co.uk/triban-500-se-road-bike-id_8306187.html

Triban 500 2017 - https://www.decathlon.co.uk/triban-500-road-bike-black-id_8379069.html

Triban 500 2016 - https://www.decathlon.co.uk/triban-500-road-bike-black-id_8331913.html

Cheers for taking the time to use your expertise if you do

 

[Marty2131]

Carrera Virtuoso (down to £210 brand new so might sway me) - http://www.halfords.com/cycling/bikes/road-bikes/carrera-virtuoso-road-bike-2015

Triban 500 SE - https://www.decathlon.co.uk/triban-500-se-road-bike-id_8306187.html

Triban 500 2017 - https://www.decathlon.co.uk/triban-500-road-bike-black-id_8379069.html

Triban 500 2016 - https://www.decathlon.co.uk/triban-500-road-bike-black-id_8331913.html

Cheers for taking the time to use your expertise if you do

Oops, after looking on the computer instead of my phone, the Carrera and the 2016 BTwin can't be bought, but that Carrera is the exact same one as second hand.

 

[dhd.evans]

At the opposite end of the spectrum i'm 5' 9 and I ride a 58cm frame with a shortened stem. My legs are a bit disproportionate to my body it seems!

 

[Cycleops]

There's very little difference between the 500 and 500SE. The 2017 model has 25c tyres instead of 23c and different brand of chainset.

 

[dhd.evans]

There's very little difference between the 500 and 500SE. The 2017 model has 25c tyres instead of 23c and different brand of chainset.

Agreed but the difference in chainset is crucial - i had the Sunrace/Microshift gubbins on my Triban 3 and i literally put so much power through the crank during commutes that i sheared off teeth on the chainrings. And i ain't packing Chris Hoy thighs neither.

I'd head for the Claris equipped 500SE any day of the week.

My 1000mi review of the stock Triban 3 (equivalent to the 500 model).

 

[Spiderweb]

Yes the 500se is a better bike but as @vickster mentioned earlier in the thread the Merlin road bike at £349 is much better value with Mavic wheels, Claris & FSA components, it even includes shoes and pedals! Unfortunately the 53cm still looks to be out of stock.
https://www.merlincycles.com/merlin-pr7-bike-shoe-pedal-deal-99308.html

 

[Cycleops]

I'm sure the OP is mystified when we bang on about Claris. I should explain, Shimano have a component hierarchy, Claris comes in at entry level.

 

[cyberknight]

I'm sure the OP is mystified when we bang on about Claris. I should explain, Shimano have a component hierarchy, Claris comes in at entry level.

I thought it was a fugly sort of chinaware