Bicycle Mechanics - Road Bike, with Tektro disc set.

Okay, this question is not help by the fact I cannot find a photograph of the actual bike, but I can find its specs at the Halford's website, I am very close to shelling out money for this bike. I was in Halford's the other day, and I did ask a sales assistant in the Bikehut section my question, all I got was a blank stare and the reply 'It should be okay'

Carrera Gryphon (http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_storeId_10001_catalogId_10151_productId_240425_langId_-1_CarSelectorCatalogId__CarSelectorGroupId__varient__categoryId_47151_crumb_33980-33957_parentcategoryrn_47151#)

... however the supplied photograph does not show the model with front and rear disc brakes.

First off.. I have never before seen this type of bike with disc brakes before, and I wonder if the fork can handle the stress of a disc brake? The only time I have seen a front disc brake on a bike up to now is on a beefy and solid suspension fork, not a low profile fork such as is fitted on this bike.

Second, does any member know of a similar spec bke from another manufacturer? A Road bike, with straight handlbars, and full disc brakes? I have looked at road bikes similar to this before, but I like disc brakes, and up until now I have never seen any with disc.

I know Halfords does not have the best reputation in the UK, hence my second question. My budget is only £400, so the Halford seems like the best option. I don't really want to buy the bike unseen on the internet.

Tektro IO disc brakes are pretty low end. Will probably have to upgrade to Avid BB5 or BB7's sooner rather than later...BUT the prices for Avid's have come down, about $50.00 USD per wheel for the BB7 and $35.00 USD per wheel for the BB5. If they have a floor sample, the left front fork where the caliper is mounted will be noticeably thicker to handle the stress. There are only a few road bikes (700c tires) with disc brakes and straight handlebars...or drop bars for that matter. Take a look at Schwinn's World City/Street series of bikes, Cannondale Adventure or Bad Boy, Trek Urban series, etc etc. Expect to see more disc brake equipped bikes in the future depending on consumer demand for that type of braking system and the bicycle manufacturers offering more model selections to meet that demand.

If the fork was built with disc brake tabs, I'd hope it's designers made it strong enough for discs.

I don't know what's available in the UK, but there are definitely some straight-bar (and also drop bar) road bikes with disc brakes out there.

Here's just a couple flat-bar/disc bikes I found:
Trek Soho: http://www.trekbikes.com/us/en/bikes/2008/urban/soho/soho10/
Kona Dew Plus: http://www.konaworld.com/08_dewplus_w.htm

I have disk brakes (BB7) on my Jamis, which has a carbon fork and yes they do have a stronger fork, to allow for the extra stress.

If the fork was built with disc brake tabs, I'd hope it's designers made it strong enough for discs.

I don't know what's available in the UK, but there are definitely some straight-bar (and also drop bar) road bikes with disc brakes out there.

Here's just a couple flat-bar/disc bikes I found:
Trek Soho: http://www.trekbikes.com/us/en/bikes/2008/urban/soho/soho10/
Kona Dew Plus: http://www.konaworld.com/08_dewplus_w.htm

Thanks for that, and indeed thanks to everyone for their replies.

But the Trek Solo looks real close to the Gryphon, but better! And I could stretch to it assuming the price in the Uk is not the same in £'s as it is in $'

I could not really see the forks in Halfords, the bike was suspended over my head for display, but I intend to take another look and ask them to bring it down, I will see if the tubing is thicker. But, if I can find the Trek in the Uk at a good price I will hang on and try for that.

Thanks again. :)