Carbon w/ Ultegra SL or Aliminium w/d Dura Ace

desdeadly
desdeadly Posts: 48
edited July 2008 in Workshop
Hello all

My first post here

I am going to upgrade my old Team Skene (around 15 yrs) with Campag Mirage groupset.

I am mainly into shorter 30-40 mile rides with the occaisional longer 60 miler and i normally average around 19.3 mph over 35 miles (underlating roads). in the future i would like to compete in triathlons and perhaps some road races. so i think i am after a more racey style of bike.

I have been looking at bikes in the £1300 price range and i have spotted what looks like a bargain. the Felt F55 http://www.wiggle.co.uk/p/Cycle/7/Felt_ ... 360032872/ and the Felt F4 http://www.wiggle.co.uk/p/Cycle/7/Felt_ ... 360032871/

The main differences are the groupsets (Ultegra vs Dura Ace), Frame (Carbon vs Ali) and Wheel (WH RS 20 vs Mavic Aksium)

Which would you recommend and why (if possible)?or indeed any others

Help appreciated

Des

Comments

  • il_principe
    il_principe Posts: 9,155
    I'd go for the Felt F4, heard good things about it and it was well reviewed: http://www.roadcyclinguk.com/news/article/mps/uan/3175

    General rule of thumb is to go for the best frame you can afford and the F4 looks to be the best frame (based on the fact that even with Ultegra and not Dura Ace the bike is more expensive than the F55) plus it's carbon. I have 2 alu bikes and 1 carbon and carbon would be my preference everytime now. Ultegra is excellent and really not much different from Dura Ace aside from weight. I run Ultegra on my training bike and it's been v reliable. You can always upgrade the wheels etc at a later date.

    At that money I would also look at the Focus Cayo. Also bear in mind that the F4 comes with a double whereas the Focus has a compact. Horses for courses but if you live in a hilly area then you may well appreciate a compact.
  • giant_man
    giant_man Posts: 6,878
    I'd go for the F4 as well especially with those RS20s. A good buy.
  • bill57
    bill57 Posts: 454
    jashburnham wrote:
    Horses for courses but if you live in a hilly area then you may well appreciate a compact.

    Not if he averages 19.3mph :wink:
  • passout
    passout Posts: 4,425
    Frame first!
    'Happiness serves hardly any other purpose than to make unhappiness possible' Marcel Proust.
  • desdeadly
    desdeadly Posts: 48
    thanks for the advice

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