Insurance Payout = New Bike!

[Adasta]

I was burgled recently and, fortunately, the insurance company are paying out. Since the thieves took my bike, it means I get one to replace it!

First I was offered the Pinnacle Cobalt Hybrid. I wasn't too impressed, but I realised that my original bike was probably somewhere around that mark.

However, I asked if I could perhaps change the model of the bike. The company explained that it was difficult to do that; refunds were given in the form of vouchers. I tentatively asked if Halfords were a viable option. Turns out they were. So, for a few extra notes, I spent my cash on:

A Carrera Virtuoso!

An entry-level road bike, but I've heard good things from people on this forum and elsewhere. Bikerader gave it 4.5/5 as a rating and I'm sure it'll suit my needs. What're your thoughts?

Also, I'm going to arrange a test ride for the 58cm frame. I'm 6ft 0" tall - is this going to be too big? Should I ask to ride the medium as well as the large?

 

[Cyclist33]

test both!

stu

 

[fossyant]

I think Large will be fine. I'm 5ft 9 and ride 54.

Glad they are sorting you out like for like.

 

[Cletus Van Damme]

Nice one sounds like a good result. I am 6'1" and ride a 58cm frame and have no problems, as stated above maybe you should maybe try both.

 

[ColinJ]

I'm another 6' 1" man with a 58 cm bike which is a comfortable fit. (Two that size, actually.) I started off with a 56 cm bike and found it a bit short in top tube length.

You are only 1 inch shorter than me so I'd be very surprised if the 58 cm frame didn't fit you and the 54 cm one did.

I think you'd need the saddle way too high on the smaller frame and would have to get a much longer stem.

If the 58 cm feels just a tad too long for you, just get a stem a couple of cm shorter, or flip the one it comes with which would bring the bars up and back towards you slightly. (You'd need enough slack in the cables to do that.)

Something to bear in mind - bike thieves often expect a replacement bike to be bought with insurance money so sometimes they come back a few weeks later to see if there is another one to nick - watch out!

 

[Adasta]

Something to bear in mind - bike thieves often expect a replacement bike to be bought with insurance money so sometimes they come back a few weeks later to see if there is another one to nick - watch out!

That's sage advice but this place is like Fort Knox now! I hope it all holds...

 

[samid]

It's all a matter of bike geometry and preferences - I'm 5'8" and have a 58cm bike that I like a lot.

 

[Chris.IOW]

Something to bear in mind - bike thieves often expect a replacement bike to be bought with insurance money so sometimes they come back a few weeks later to see if there is another one to nick - watch out!

That happened to me twice at University, turns out it was the bloke over the road, watched us all replace everything with new stuff, nicked it all again.

 

[ColinJ]

That happened to me twice at University, turns out it was the bloke over the road, watched us all replace everything with new stuff, nicked it all again.

So, that means he got caught - good!

If the police caught him, what was his punishment?

If you caught him, er, what was his punishment?

 

[abo]

Two of my mates caught someone in the process of leaving via their backdoor with a handfull of goodies. Unfortunately for the scrote he couldn't get over the back wall quick enough and my mates got hold of him

 

[Adasta]

Does anyone have a Virtuoso?