Carrera Flex Information?

[ruffstuff badger]

Hi All

Just joined as I'm doing up an old bike I found abandoned some years ago. I know it's a Carrera Flex from the decals but only just as they were almost all scratched off.

I'm doing a blog about the bike and wanted background information such as the age, type of steel (I know it's CRMO but wondered about the grade) and any other information about it. I wrote to Halfords but they said they have no records of the Carrera Flex at all. Can anyone here tell me anything about this bike?

BTW is it the norm on this forum to post pics of rebuilds? If so I'll post some when I'm finished although it doesn't look like a Carrera Flex anymore!

 

[Skeelsie]

I had/have one of these in parts.

Tange plain guage cromoly steel.


Full Alivio groupset, flex stem which is a copy of the Girvin design, it does have a proper name though that escapes me!

 

[ruffstuff badger]

I had/have one of these in parts.

Tange plain guage cromoly steel.

Full Alivio groupset, flex stem which is a copy of the Girvin design, it does have a proper name though that escapes me!

Thanks Skeelsie, that's brilliant. Any idea when they were in production?

 

[stuflyer]

1993 I think, 92 at the earlierst. Purple and silver? I THINK they were made in the KHS factory but that is just an educated guess. ( I worked at Halfords White City at the time these came out. )

 

[Skeelsie]

Mine was a 1993 version.

Silver base coat with purple at either end.

 

[ruffstuff badger]

Thanks stuflyer and Skeelsie. Silver and purple is the one I have, or had, now it's British Racing Green.

 

[stuflyer]

Anytime Badger. You replacing the stem? (I didn't rate it, I have to say )
What do you plan to do as far as the rebuild goes - are you keeping it original or going all modern like?

 

[Tad]

If it's earlier than 1998 post build pics here:
http://www.retrobike.co.uk/forum/viewforum.php?f=6

If it's 1998 or after post build pics here:
http://www.retrobike.co.uk/forum/viewforum.php?f=21

 

[ruffstuff badger]

Anytime Badger. You replacing the stem? (I didn't rate it, I have to say )
What do you plan to do as far as the rebuild goes - are you keeping it original or going all modern like?

Ah. Now here's where my profound ignorance of bikes will no doubt shine through. I'm not restoring it to its original glory but nor am I going all modern either. It's a repaint, some personal decals and a bunch of replacement parts for the things that were past it like the rear derailleur , bottom bracket, chain set and handlebar.

I ended up making an on-the-spot decision during the rebuild to switch from the 7 speed freewheel to an 8 speed cassette which meant a new wheel. I have also switched from cantilevers to V-brakes. I have ended up with a shimano hub dynamo on the front wheel too. Long story involving a set of E3 Pro lights, a photoshoot and a book.

When we took the headtube and headset apart we found an extra thingummy in there. No idea what it's called but it shouldn't have been there so I'm told. The mechanic also thinks the stem had been replaced at some point.

Oh, I've added some SKS Bluemel mudguards and a Brooks Conquest All Terrain saddle with scarlet springs.

The respray is poor but I really didn't like the silver and purple which was scratched and chipped.

The idea is to have a bike that looks a bit better, albeit eccentric, and more importantly, will carry me comfortably cross hill and dale.

 

[ruffstuff badger]

If it's earlier than 1998 post build pics here:
http://www.retrobike.co.uk/forum/viewforum.php?f=6

If it's 1998 or after post build pics here:
http://www.retrobike.co.uk/forum/viewforum.php?f=21

Thanks fixies.