Downgrading...

JackCB

I bought a Scott CR1 Team about a year ago. I loved the bike, and was very happy with it. Unfortunately, some crook stole it from my garage over Christmas. It was insured, so I've received money for it, and in fact I'm net up because my policy pays for a new replacement. But I'm in tighter times financially than I was when I bought the CR1 and although I'd love to buy another, I'm considering getting something cheaper and pocketing the difference.

My question is: how much of a performance drop am I looking at if I go for a bike in the £700-£1000 range? How would a steel bike feel in comparison to my old carbon fibre? And, importantly, what bike?

JackCB

No one?

Soni

Hi Jack, sorry to hear about your bike being nicked mate, what tossers.

Was the garage locked? Just wondering as i also leave mine in my garage...although its not in the same league as yours, would still be a loss if it was nicked.

I believe it had the 105 Group? I've got a £675.00 Trek 1.5 2009 with an upgraded rear Mech from Tiagra to 105, its an Alu frame, pretty light, although not rode a Carbon frame, and i'm really happy with it, although i'm looking at upgrading at the end of this year to this beauty:-
http://www.evanscycles.com/products/can ... e-ec020243

You would still be able to get a nice decent bike mate with 1K, take a look at the Treks, they have nice Alu frames, although i'm not that keen on the colour combos for this year.

bompington

Mmmm, when my Boardman was stolen it was back to the 20yo Rusty Raleigh, a delightful experience with its downtube shifters, creaking steerer and frame made from left-over Forth Rail Bridge girders.

I'd have thought that any decent value £1K bike you can get these days would be pretty indistinguishable: you could even get a Scott CR1 for that sort of money

gregster10217

If you're set on carbon again, why not look at the Boardman Team Carbon at a shade under £1000. I know it means going to Halfords, but just use them to buy it and then either adjust it yourself or take it to your LBS. It's my first new roadie for a lot of years and I thinks it's a fantastic ride, backed up by the reviews on here. The SRAM gruppo works well and was very easy to get used to (I came from Shimano). Halfords WILL let you test ride it, for a deposit.
Just a thought if you're set on staying with carbon.

bompington

gregster10217 wrote:

If you're set on carbon again, why not look at the Boardman Team Carbon at a shade under £1000. I know it means going to Halfords, but just use them to buy it and then either adjust it yourself or take it to your LBS. It's my first new roadie for a lot of years and I thinks it's a fantastic ride, backed up by the reviews on here. The SRAM gruppo works well and was very easy to get used to (I came from Shimano). Halfords WILL let you test ride it, for a deposit.
Just a thought if you're set on staying with carbon.

Oh the irony - now we're talking about downgrading to a Team Carbon after a theft, when I had to downgrade from one...

mr_poll

Have read a few good comments regarding Planet X carbon bikes which seem to represent good value for money. The one below has 105 set on and if you take it as per spec then it falls nicely in your budget at £900.

http://www.planet-x-warehouse.co.uk/aca ... Promo.html

That keeps you in carbon, but there are some nice non carbon bikes in your prices range.

Rigton

Hi Jack

I recently went the other way - a £700 Specialized Allez to a Giant TCR Advanced with full Dura Ace - I think the difference is not as big as people might think. It depends a lot on the power you're putting out - the average rider might not get the full advantages of a super stiff frame, yes the lack of weight helps on climbs but perhaps you cycle in a relatively flat area? I know my own average speed is only a little higher on the Giant over a 60 mile route and perhaps in reality I'm not as comfortable. having said all that I'd take the carbon bike over aluminium for it's ride quality. The Boardman is a lot of bike for the money and seems to offer great value for your budget

JackCB

Soni wrote:

Was the garage locked? Just wondering as i also leave mine in my garage...although its not in the same league as yours, would still be a loss if it was nicked.

It was annoying; the main garage door (as in, the door for a car) was locked and is pretty secure, but there was a side door, that was also locked, but just by padlock. They snapped of the padlock with some sort of heavy-duty pliers-type of tool. I think they probably knew exactly what they were looking for because the two bikes that were of value we the only things that were touched all the other stuff (including some commuter-bikes) were left.

Thanks for the input guys. My feeling is that I'm not likely to be doing any racing any time soon, so I can probably do without the extra performance that comes from spending £500-£1000 more. And, of course, the rider is a far bigger factor than the bike at any rate.

I'm tempted by the Boardman although I'm slightly put of by the fact that I'd be dealing with Halfords. I might go for something aluminium, like the Trek 1.5 or Scott Speedster, just because of the fact that I can buy from a reputable dealer, who'll hopefully give me a fitting and set up the bike properly.

Decisions, decisions, decisions...

mr_poll

Jack not sure where you live but just noticed that BR has just published a pretty complimentary review of the new Carbon offering from Ribble, the spec edition is available for £999. Looking at people's comments on here about Ribble they seem to have a love/hate relationship with Ribble, but the store is v local to me and I cannot find fault - as a beginner they have been very helpful and have often stopped me spending too much offering good advice on all levels of kit.
Although I have never been fitted for a cycle there I have been in store whilst others have and they seem pretty thorough so you should be able to get the added value from them you defo wont get from Halfords. If I was looking at spending a grand then this would defo be on my shortlist.

http://www.bikeradar.com/gear/category/ ... n-10-37562

Good Luck

Anonymous

CAAD9 - it won't be a downgrade...

JackCB

NapoleonD wrote:

CAAD9 - it won't be a downgrade...

That's tempting actually, although the Tiagra groupset would be at the upper end of my budget...

Questions:
1. Tiagra's not officially a 'race' groupset, is it? How much of a step down is it from 105?
2. Does anyone know of a good Cannondale dealer in London? My local and trusted bike shop (Sigma Sports) doesn't sell them.

ketsbaia

Jack. On Your Bike at London Bridge sells CAAD9s and they'll let you have a test ride too. Some of the staff are more knowledgeable than others, but they've plenty of bikes to choose from.

cheesebeanie

As a Scott rider, I would say Scott Speedster.. they have a great set up,decent kit and its a nice ride.

oscarbudgie

+1 for CAAD9. Not much difference between 105 & Tiagra IMO. My local 'Dale dealer is Heales in Highams Park E4.