Entry level carbon road bike, whats the best?

macalase

Guys,

I am about to buy my first road bike and wanted to see what you guys thought?
I have been looking around and these are the following options I have nailed it down to.

I think I am going to go for the first one, but do I really need to spend the extra 100 on a better groupset, is it worth it?

1. SL Pro Carbon Ultegra SL --- £999
http://www.planet-x-warehouse.co.uk/acatalog/SL_Pro_Carbon_Ultegra_SL____SPECIAL_OFFER_-_From__999.html
is it worth paying the extra 100 for the better groupset,

2. Planet X SL Pro Carbon Sport --- £899
http://www.planet-x-warehouse.co.uk/acatalog/SL_Pro_Carbon_Euro_Promo.html#aCBPXSLPS

3. Boardman Road Bike Team Carbon XL 2010 --- £999.99
http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_storeId_10001_catalogId_10151_productId_501983_langId_-1_categoryId_229914

Also, how does the boardman compare to the PX SL Pro, this site gives the boardman 5 stars, but only gives the PX SL Pro a 4, but

http://www.bikeradar.com/gear/category/bikes/road/product/team-carbon-09-33934
http://www.bikeradar.com/gear/category/bikes/road/product/sl-pro-carbon-10-36958

however

When it comes to value for money, we thought the Boardman Team Carbon had set the bar very high for what you can buy for £1,000, but if anything, the Planet X has raised it a notch or two. If you’re looking for a very light bike on a limited budget then the Planet X has to be in your sights.

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rake

the boardman got bikeradar bike of the year 2009. i have one and its a serious ride.

BrianTrousers

Just so you're aware of what will happen next:

PX fans will tell you to buy a PX.

Boardman fans will tell you to buy a Boardman.

People who have neither will tell you to buy a CAAD 9 as it's all about the frame and not the groupset. They'll also tell you that the PX has a wobbly front end due to it having a carbon steerer.

Cue PX fans telling you they've never experienced such wobbles.

"PX is the 'Skoda' of the bike world."

"Boardman you have the Halford's problem."

Blah, blah, blah, f**king blah.

Search the forum and you'll see what I mean.

Being completely honest, at this level of spend they're all pretty much of a muchness and you'd have to be a fairly seasoned or sensitive rider to pick up any difference.

(I have a PX and it's great).

blinddrew

ha! Bang on Brian.
I have a planet X and think it's the canine's (for the cash) but have a friend with a Boardman who thinks the same...
Horses for courses and all that.

TimoH

BrianTrousers wrote:

Being completely honest, at this level of spend they're all pretty much of a muchness and you'd have to be a fairly seasoned or sensitive rider to pick up any difference.

Amen, Bro!

All three bikes are good enough to impress a beginner or a semi-serious rider or even a reviewer of a well-respected magazine. You need to double your budget if you want to get a bike that is noticeably better than any of these.

bompington

TimoH wrote:

BrianTrousers wrote:

Being completely honest, at this level of spend they're all pretty much of a muchness and you'd have to be a fairly seasoned or sensitive rider to pick up any difference.

Amen, Bro!

All three bikes are good enough to impress a beginner or a semi-serious rider or even a reviewer of a well-respected magazine. You need to double your budget if you want to get a bike that is noticeably better than any of these.

I can report that my Boardman was a joy to ride in the few weeks I had it, I have no doubt the others are much the same.
I can also report that the Boardman gets a thumbs-up from the Bristol bike thief community, one of whom managed to ride mine off through some quite impressive off-road terrain.

rake

did you see it disapper then bomp. what do you have now.

dennisn

The best????
The one you can afford and the one you most like the looks of. In that order.

BrianTrousers

I can also report that the Boardman gets a thumbs-up from the Bristol bike thief community, one of whom managed to ride mine off through some quite impressive off-road terrain.

So it doubles as a crosser? That's value for money and no mistake.

(I feel your pain. String 'em up that's the only language they understand etc etc)

Anonymous

CAAD9

It's all about the frame and not the groupset.

bompington

@BrianTrousers & Rake: Was removed from car in the time it took to go into my bro's house, say hello & ask "is there somewhere safe we can put the bikes?"
Followed the tracks into Blaise Castle, went down v. steep grassy bank & through woods before turning onto a road where I couldn't follow them, it looked like someone was definitely on the bike, I doubt they had the right sort of cleats so I'm hoping there were at least a couple of slips off the pedals & onto the top tube.

See this sorry tale. Result: back to the old rusty Raleigh, I'm hoping to replace it with something nice, and a couple of good locks, when I get the compensation through for getting knocked off in '07...

rake

thats quick. i thought you may have left it outside. i am worried of being accosted while on the bike. i got nervous when a small group asked me how much it was to buy a bike like that. i think they could see it was more than £160 to an untrained eye.

kingrollo

if the frames are much the same - then the px with ultegra would be the one for me.

BrianTrousers

If it makes the OP feel any better, I parted with £1300 for the Ultegra version in June last year. The Ultegra was limited to the shifters, derailleurs and cassette.

This was 6 weeks before they dropped the price by £200 and now a further £100 less.

I shouldn't have got so impatient.:oops:

I called PX to whine at them and they offered me a discount if I spent any more money with them!!!

That said, bloody good blokes despite all that.

fungus_the_muffin_man

Try and get a ride of them and see which one you prefer. Failing that go for the one that you think looks the coolest and best. Being in love with your bike is half the battle over with even if it isn't the best specced bike about. If you love the looks, you'll love riding it therefore your purchase is justified

The Other McHoy

Planet X have just put up Dura Ace offer for 1199 pounds - that would be the one for me!

BriCee

Those Planet X prices are ex VAT. Only found out when I clicked 'buy'

BrianTrousers

That's cheered me up!

alfablue

BriCee wrote:

Those Planet X prices are ex VAT. Only found out when I clicked 'buy'

no, its £1021.26, plus vat of £178.73 = £1199.99 total, - maybe you had some extra cost specs.

drdodds

I'm having the same dilema, I think i'm going for a planet x SL but which groupset do I go for? options are:-

105 £899
Ultegra SL £999
Ultegra 6700 £1099
Dura Ace 7800 £1199

Also which wheels, the planet x A57, model B and model C wheelset are all included in the price. If so which one or would it be worth spending £50 on some shimano RS10's?

Thanks in advance for the advice

bompington

rake wrote:

thats quick. i thought you may have left it outside. i am worried of being accosted while on the bike. i got nervous when a small group asked me how much it was to buy a bike like that. i think they could see it was more than £160 to an untrained eye.

The correct answer is "more than you can afford, scum"

EDIT: on second thoughts, you might do better with "they've got some really good deals at Planet X, it's only £100 extra to upgrade to the Dura Ace". Then pedal away fast.

alfablue

The Model B's are great and much better than the Shimano's, get the B's. The model c's have more spokes (if you are very heavy), A57's are heavier.

drdodds

is it worth going for last years dura ace considering it's only a couple of hundred quid? seems like a pretty good deal and although i'm sure i'm not good enough to notice the difference from 105's I hope I might do in time and am a sucker for a bargin!

alfablue

drdodds wrote:

is it worth going for last years dura ace considering it's only a couple of hundred quid? seems like a pretty good deal and although i'm sure i'm not good enough to notice the difference from 105's I hope I might do in time and am a sucker for a bargin!

I'm thinking Ultegra is the best bet, but £100 more for the DA, hard to resist! I doubt you would notice any difference, but having DA has got to feel better psychologically I guess!

BriCee

alfablue wrote:

BriCee wrote:

Those Planet X prices are ex VAT. Only found out when I clicked 'buy'

no, its £1021.26, plus vat of £178.73 = £1199.99 total, - maybe you had some extra cost specs.

Oh yea I'd put in a few extras, peddles, etc. :oops:

Looking more seriously now at the 105 version.

The Other McHoy

All the groupsets are good but let's be honest, the Dura Ace offer is giving you the chance to ride a carbon bike with a pro-level groupset for the equivalent of entry level Scott, Trek and Specialized bikes.

Don't think too hard about it, it's a no brainer.

Chip \'oyler

Always go with the best frame, it's the heart of the bike. Don't get swayed by the groupset, choose a bike with the best frame for you, even if it means a lower ranked groupset. Most people wouldn't be able to tell the difference in how 105 or Ultegra works, but you can tell a difference between frames.

drdodds

Always go with the best frame, it's the heart of the bike. Don't get swayed by the groupset, choose a bike with the best frame for you, even if it means a lower ranked groupset. Most people wouldn't be able to tell the difference in how 105 or Ultegra works, but you can tell a difference between frames.

Are you suggesting the planet x frame won't be any good. (though I'm saying this not trying to start an caad vs PX vs focus etc argument?

Mark1962a

All good groupos but IMHO Ultegra 6700 as its the new generation Shimano with hidden cables, adj levers etc and is based on Dura ace 7900, Looks damn good as well and the rear derailleur handles an 11 - 28 if you hit the Alps I have Ultegra SL which is very smart in the Gunmetal colour. Those bikes are all damn nice so agreed just choose the one that looks the best to you. You wont be dissappointed at those prices!

passout

105 (or maybe even Tiagra) upwards will be fine - doesn't really matter. Better off with a cheaper groupset and a better frame. No need for Dura Ace IMO.

The Cannondale already mentioned would be good. How about a focus cayo?

Suprised you are not looking at Ribble too - similar sort of deal to Planet X and some nice Sportive frames.

drdodds

I saw quite a few posts which said ribble was poor customer service where PX seems to get impressive reviews and the idea of getting a properly fitted package rather than an off the shelf solution like the focus cayo appeals a lot.