New bike

[pjos11]

Guys I am trying to chose one of the following bikes

Carerra Virtuoso ( second hand at £160 ) The guy selling says its like new but I cant get to see it because of snow

Giant Defy 3.5 £562

Genesis Aether 20 £599



Can anyone advise me on whats best please?

Paul

 

[ELL]

see which one you feel more comfortable on but if it was me I would go for the Genesis

 

[Norm]

Moved to the Bikes and Accessories forum by the admin team.

 

[accountantpete]

If its your first road bike then I'd be tempted by the £160 Carerra - have a good play with it and, if road bikes are for you, flog it for £80 odd on eBay and buy something based on the knowledge you have gained.

How is it size wise?

 

[TheBoyBilly]

Yes, size matters. It's no good what bike it is if it's going to be uncomfortable. If the Carrera is right for size and is 'as new' then go for it as you can always upgrade parts later. A chap got on the train with a new-ish Subway flat-bar bike the other day and I was amazed at how nice it was.

Bill

 

[pjos11]

Thanks for the replies. I have now bought the Carerra Virtuoso and the guy even brought it near to me so I could get it. I feel like Santa has came and I am 43 years old! He also throw in = Wall bracket, Shimano clip in pedals, pump and a water bottle bracket !
So I am pleased at what I got for the money and cant wait until the snow goes so I can get out there. I can always upgrade later

Paul

 

[accountantpete]

Nice one - it will make a good winter bike if you ever decide to move on up in the world.

 

[e-rider]

have fun with your new ride!

 

[cyberknight]

I was going to say get the virtuosso but you did

I have the same bike and its a great entry level machine , can take racks mudgaurds for commuting/light touring if you so wished and if you decide to flog it to get another bike i have seen bikes going for silly money on ebay so you will not lose much.

If you did get serious i would keep it as a back up/ winter bike .

I am firmly in the cheap bike camp due to having to feed a family etc who still think a £50 BSO will do the job so my bikes are...

Carrera Virtuosso , new maybe 8 months ago

Carrera TDF 08 , ebay buy that will be turned into my second bike over the winter break ( £90)

 

[cyberknight]

The other thing i would change are the tyres as they are a bit meh i found.

I run continental Gator skins for puncture resistance but that's purely preference a lot of good tyres out there !.


Mine ...

 

[pjos11]

Hi guys I had to send the wife to pick the bike up for me. The guy selling said that he was 31" leg and as I were 32" x 30" trousers I was sure it would be fine so she paid the guy and I now have it at the house. ITS TO BIG ! So I feel like such a twat.
Well now I have it for sale again and I am going to buy either the Genesis or Giant Defy 3 as per my first post but I don`t know which bike is better. My heads pickled

Any advise please? I am able to buy this through the Cycle to work scheme as I am self employed.

Paul

 

[cyberknight]

Hi guys I had to send the wife to pick the bike up for me. The guy selling said that he was 31" leg and as I were 32" x 30" trousers I was sure it would be fine so she paid the guy and I now have it at the house. ITS TO BIG ! So I feel like such a twat.
Well now I have it for sale again and I am going to buy either the Genesis or Giant Defy 3 as per my first post but I don`t know which bike is better. My heads pickled

Any advise please? I am able to buy this through the Cycle to work scheme as I am self employed.

Paul

Sorry to hear that !

You should have gone yourself and tried it for size , i would never spend money on a new bike before i had tried it , would you buy a car without driving it?


Is it to big leg wise or reach as you can stick a smaller stem on if its the reach that is too long?

Push come to shove the sell well on ebay ,if its in good nick you should get your money back easily .

Hope it all works out for you .

 

[accountantpete]

Hi guys I had to send the wife to pick the bike up for me. The guy selling said that he was 31" leg and as I were 32" x 30" trousers I was sure it would be fine so she paid the guy and I now have it at the house. ITS TO BIG ! So I feel like such a twat.
Well now I have it for sale again and I am going to buy either the Genesis or Giant Defy 3 as per my first post but I don`t know which bike is better. My heads pickled

Any advise please? I am able to buy this through the Cycle to work scheme as I am self employed.

Paul

All you probably need to do is drop the seat down a bit and possibly get a shorter stem - what's the measurement from the centre of the bottom bracket to the top of the seat tube?

If you use a bike as part of the business you can claim the business element (ie the cost less any private use ) under Capital Allowances.

 

[pjos11]

I have lowered the seat as must as possible but my toes barely touch the ground.

Well I have made the decision to change it to the Genesis or the Giant but cant really decide which is best?

I am a plumber and haven`t had a moment to get to the shop !!

Paul

 

[accountantpete]

I have lowered the seat as must as possible but my toes barely touch the ground.

Well I have made the decision to change it to the Genesis or the Giant but cant really decide which is best?

I am a plumber and haven`t had a moment to get to the shop !!

Paul

Hang on - your feet are not supposed to be able to touch the ground when you are in the seat.

Basically when in the saddle your leg should have a slight kink at the knee with the foot on the pedal at its lowest point. Can you get to this position?