hey all,now if, and its an if ! someone gave you £350 to buy a new bike, and they sort of reckoned that you were interested in an entry level roadie ,wasnt ever going to be used every day, just something that dosnt mean your risking life and limb up some mountain !!!!!!but can be used on those hot balmy evenings of summer !!!( work with me here, i am trying to sell the idea to Mrs Splitshift !)would anyone reckomend or otherwise a Carrera ftd, tdf or whatever its aclled ?I know its halfwits but theres a good reason for that.....need to know basis !i had a quick look at one today in Falkirk , but as its sunday they all had hangovers and wernt interested in me !The showroom model had, no brakes , at all, the rear mech was attached to the chain but not the frame!It was compared to mtb pretty light , initially was looking at carrera something else, 100 quid more expensive, but the ftd, dtf, ftd, whatever just seemed better value, is it an older model ?Ive no intention of entering many competitive rides, just getting out and havin ashfalt fun !If its absolute shite then please tell me !
Mrs Splitshift planted the idea herself so her bank balance will be hit, not mine !!!Bike radar reviews seem ok, not going to set the heather on fire, bit heavy but at that price.....am interested !
scott
CityCyclingEdinburgh Forum » Questions/Support/Help
more bikes :)
(16 posts)- Started 12 years ago by splitshift
- Latest reply from custard
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Posted 12 years ago #
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what was the colour scheme?
could have been last years model.
they were all pretty plain last year. IIRC the TDF was black/yellowPosted 12 years ago # -
yes black and yellow, just seemed less fancy less shiny and less expensive !All 3 get my vote !
scottPosted 12 years ago # -
A Specialized Langster (previous years' models) can be had for around that price, or one of their Globe 'fast hybrids'. Edinburgh Bicycle Co-op have a few options too, if you don't mind a flat bar road bike (ie. 'speed'/fitness hybrid) rather than drop bar 'proper' road/race bike. For example Revolution Courier Race, Giant Escape, Specialized Cirrus. Quite a few road bikes from Raleigh within range too: Team Sprint, Race, etc. Probably a Raleigh dealer round Falkirk way, otherwise MacDonald Cycles in Edinburgh.
Carrera bikes are fine I'm sure, the problem is they'll be set up and serviced by Halfords. As we've discovered on this forum, not always a great idea!
Posted 12 years ago # -
http://www.bikeradar.com/news/article/halfords-selling-300-tour-de-france-special-26886/
it was around £300 last year
£330 if you reserve online
I assume this "Web Offer! Spend £100 save £10, Spend £150 save £15, Spend £200 save £25 On ALL Bikes & Bike Accessories. Discount" will bring it to £305?its a shade heavier than my Boardman hybrid comp at 11.7kg (11.6 for mine)
probably quite heavy for a road bikePosted 12 years ago # -
The Virtuoso is a bit more expensive, but not much (depending on offers) and looks a better bike. I think the Virtuoso and Vanquish were face lifted this year but tdf is pretty much the same. A pal at work has a tdf and he say its fine for the half hour commute, but wouldn't like to be on it much longer.
I would always go with the 'buy the best bike you can afford' ethos which would be the Virtuoso.
Posted 12 years ago # -
mmmmm, like i say the virtuoso was the first choice but the other just grabbed my attention, its going to need a wee look and further study ! Thanks to all !
ScottPosted 12 years ago # -
ok, ive been n checked the co op site, ive a cuilin pro, and have to say its kind off down to the conti sport or the spesh allez 16. Problems problems !All reviews are good, but is the specialised a better bike ? both same price at the mo !I just like the revo brand,when i couldnt afford anything ! always wanted em, team red ?heart speaking louder than head ? most people i know dont actually know what a revo is, but a specialized they recognise !that makes the revo better in my perverted eyes !Again, the fancy top bar on the spec is bling, i dont normally do, bling !But is it actually a better bike ? ive seen the bike radar posts but...........????help ! would the co op let me ride em both ?
scottPosted 12 years ago # -
@splitshift.
Revolution is just Edinburgh Bike's brand. Frames are probably generic Taiwanese-built frames that are stickered up accordingly (I use the term "generic" not as derogatory but in the sense that the mass produced frames are often exactly that - produced by 3rd party frame manufacturers and different suppliers will use them for their own-brand bikes. Smaller companies like Planet X and Ribble do this).
Both have an aluminium compact geomtery (i.e. the sloping top tube and shortened seat post) frame and a carbon fork
Specialized has "last year's" 8-speed shifters and chainset in the 2300 family, which is their entry-level road equipment. The Revolution has the 9-speed version.
Both have dual pivot caliper brakes. Revolution specify Tektro as the manufacturer. Specialized don't, perhaps they're a bit more cheap and cheerful.The revolution comes eyeleted for "proper" mudguards. Very useful!
Revolution has a FSA chainset, probably a bit better than the Shimano one on the Specialized.
The Specialized has a Mavic wheelset, they're a good and respected name in wheels. Revolution comes with nameless wheels but same spoke count and pattern.My own honest opinion is you'll possibly get more bike for your money with the Revolution. There's very little to pick between the 2 bikes. The Specialized is about a kilo lighter on paper, possibly nicer wheelset or fancier alloy in the frame? Neither are massively heavy, but neither are they lightweights in road bike terms. But they never will be at that price alas. It's kinda ironic but the more money you spend on your road bike it's all about getting less (weight) for it... But people often get blind to weight on a bike. Cheapest and most effective way to lighten your bike is not to spend more money on it, but to shed a few pounds off the dead weight of the rider!
Specialized as you say is a big, recognized name and you'll pay a few quid more for that brand. With that fancy curving top-tube it's pretending to look like it's more expensive carbon fibre big brothers. It doesn't really add anything to the bike beyond aethetics.
I think you'll be able to test ride both. You leave a passport or driving licence or something as collateral.
Posted 12 years ago # -
Coop do let you try anything they have in.
I got a Giant FCR for my wife, a flat bar road bike version of the SCR. Probably called something else now but nice and quick. Got a really good discount in a sale at Velo Ecosse.
Posted 12 years ago # -
The Giant Silly Commuter Racer? Is that why they changed the name?
Posted 12 years ago # -
cool thanks guys, visit to the big smoke coming up !
Posted 12 years ago # -
If you are in Edinburgh, may be worth checking out the offers at Biketrax too. A couple of similar road bikes on special offer there, around the price of the EBC bikes you're looking at::
Genesis Aether 10 (carbon forks!):
http://www.biketrax.co.uk/products.php?plid=m1b0s6p1908Trek 1.1:
http://www.biketrax.co.uk/products.php?plid=m1b0s6p2022Posted 12 years ago # -
"The Giant Silly Commuter Racer? Is that why they changed the name? "
Not sure what FCR is then!
Posted 12 years ago # -
Fast? Funky? Funny Commuter Racer?
Posted 12 years ago # -
So what did you decide?
Posted 11 years ago #
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