Carbon over aluminium?

gregster10217

Got a choice to make between Specialized Secteur Elite, Trek 2.1 and Boardman Team Carbon. Maximum price is £1,000.
Would you recommend buying carbon (it's also had fantastic reviews) over a decent aluminium and well spec'd bike, as it is carbon although the lower end of the carbon spectrum (T700).
Would look at upgrading group set in future, of any bike but the frame is the one thing likely to stay the same for much longer.
Thanks

all show no go

The Boardman is the 'racier' of th three in terms of componentry and geometry. The Secteur has quite an upright, relaxed riding position and the Trek sits somewhere in the middle. The Boardman has the most bang for your bucks though and would be my first choice. There have been many threads on here about the competency of Halfords and their mechanics, but don't let that dissuade you if you decide to go for the Boardman as there are as many useless mechanics in LBS's as there are working for the Big Orange & Black Multicorp.

redddraggon

Out of those 3, personally I'd go for the Boardman.

gregster10217

Thanks all show and reddragon, what I needed to hear!

jacster

Boardman definitely.

top_bhoy

jacster wrote:

Boardman definitely.

Why? What differences did you determine during your test rides of all 3? Only a test ride of each of the bikes for the OP will help determine which one is best for him.

Looking at the specs of all 3 there isn't a great deal in it other than the frame material as costs are all pretty even. On the downside, there's no escaping the use of Halfords for the Boardmans!

kingrollo

Why are you limited to those 3 bikes ?

Most people look at planet x , ribble at this price point. (I don't mean buy , but they are contenders).....and I think if you telephone planet x - you can get a carbon/ultegra for £999

gregster10217

Unfortunately the scheme is through Halfords so got to get what they can source and unfortunately they've burned their bridges with Planet X and Ribble just seem to be in the too difficult box to source!
I do like the Boardman and think it's top at the moment. Will have a carbon frame to build on in the future and will definitely take it to my LBS for a thorough check!
Thanks for all your input people.

top_bhoy

For what its worth, I wouldn't get too fixated on carbon, I'd simply try out all 3 possibilities and go with the one which feels best and enjoy it for a while. I guarantee in a few years time you'll be considering whether it is worthwhile to spend the money to upgrade any of those bikes and you'll look about for something which is new again.

kingrollo

Top_Bhoy wrote:

For what its worth, I wouldn't get too fixated on carbon, I'd simply try out all 3 possibilities and go with the one which feels best and enjoy it for a while. I guarantee in a few years time you'll be considering whether it is worthwhile to spend the money to upgrade any of those bikes and you'll look about for something which is new again.

thats always my approach to - buy the best you can afford at the time - then start saving for the next bike 4/5 years down the line. for example my latest bike I paid an extra £90 - to upgrade from 105 to Ultegra ....had I done that upgrade a year down the line it probably would have cost me 4 times that amount.

Boardman would get my vote out of your choices

gregster10217

Just come back from Halfords, Maidstone very happy! Rich there was very helpful and knew more than enough about the Boardman Team Carbon. Even happy to order in an XL just for me to try it size wise, as they only had a large. I'm 6'4 and the large just felt a touch cramped when using the drops on the bars.
Decision made though! It will be the Boardman for me this year. May sign up again next year and try something different!
Thank again to everyone for your input.