Carbon Road Bike - How much to spend?

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Comments

  • mfin
    mfin Posts: 6,729
    I actually have a Cube Peloton and a Cervelo R3...

    I can tell you for sure that spending on wheels would bring the Cube to Life cos Ive done it. Ive got Campag Zonda's with Shimano fitting. I put these on my Cube before I had the Cervelo and now the Cube has its original Fulcrum 7s back on it.

    The wheels really transformed the bike. Cube is now my winter/training bike. I really miss having the Zondas on it, love the feel of the Peloton with good wheels on it. Im itching to buy some 7850 duraace for the Cervelo so I can have the Zondas back on the Cube.

    Also though, Ive ripped off all the shimano stuff off the Cube and replaced it with Rival, loads nicer feeling in my opinion, will never have Shimano again, but do like high end Campag.

    In short ..buy some wheels... Zondas are just over £300 arent they... I dont think you need to go to £500 for the Peloton myself but go for whatever you like. It will feel snappier, faster accelearating, ride quality complete changes. Do it.
  • kingrollo
    kingrollo Posts: 3,198
    gotta disagree here

    If OP wants a new bike - he can\should buy it for that reason only. If he would rather be seen on a carbon bling thing - whats the harm in that ?

    Personally I always buy a bike I like the look of - that way you have some motivation to get on the thing and ride.

    My average speeds have actually gone up since I got my Kuota Kharma - don't know if that actually due to the bike or more likley that the fit is slightly better.

    Anyway if you want that new bike - just go for it - the money invested - in an investement in keeping yourself fit and healthy, and doing something you enjoy - if you can't throw a grand or two at that .........
  • Lillywhite
    Lillywhite Posts: 742
    kingrollo wrote:

    If OP wants a new bike - he can\should buy it for that reason only. If he would rather be seen on a carbon bling thing - whats the harm in that ?

    Anyway if you want that new bike - just go for it - the money invested - in an investement in keeping yourself fit and healthy, and doing something you enjoy - if you can't throw a grand or two at that .........

    I'll second that. :wink:
  • Down the Road
    Down the Road Posts: 949
    Agree
    Racing is life - everything else is just waiting
  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Posts: 79,665
    kingrollo wrote:
    gotta disagree here

    If OP wants a new bike - he can\should buy it for that reason only. If he would rather be seen on a carbon bling thing - whats the harm in that ?

    Personally I always buy a bike I like the look of - that way you have some motivation to get on the thing and ride.

    My average speeds have actually gone up since I got my Kuota Kharma - don't know if that actually due to the bike or more likley that the fit is slightly better.

    Anyway if you want that new bike - just go for it - the money invested - in an investement in keeping yourself fit and healthy, and doing something you enjoy - if you can't throw a grand or two at that .........

    Now that is a good reason to buy a bike, and the reason I did...

    I wholeheartedly agree with that.

    But buying a new bike doesn't transform you overnight into a top cyclist...
  • CarbonCopy
    CarbonCopy Posts: 492
    Some interesting stuff mentioned there above and it all makes sense.If you like the look and fit of a bike your more likely to be out on it keeping yourself fit or training to achieve your personal goals.
  • ilm_zero7
    ilm_zero7 Posts: 2,213
    look at last years models - for that you can buy a 2009 Wilier Mortirollo Veloce and have change - superb bike the handling is fantastic and more class than the boardman

    but seriously I'd consider upgrading the wheels - the first time I did I couldnt believe the difference they made - A pair of Fulcrum Racing 1's will transform a capable bike into a pretty good one - and if you do decide to splash out more you can always swap the wheels over
    http://veloviewer.com/SigImage.php?a=3370a&r=3&c=5&u=M&g=p&f=abcdefghij&z=a.png
    Wiliers: Cento Uno/Superleggera R and Zero 7. Bianchi Infinito CV and Oltre XR2
  • 3legs
    3legs Posts: 30
    I had an idea in my head that it would be good to buy a carbon Cervelo frame and then build it up with kit and wheels of my own choice. I would have had the enjoyment of the build and a very nice bike at the end of it all. I started out buying the wheels first (Shimano RS80) and fitted them to my current aluminium bike (Focus Variado) until I got around to getting the new carbon frame.

    However, the new wheels made such a difference to the Variado that I couldn't see any reason to carry on with the original plan. The bike fits me well, has ultegra throughout and nice wheels, and most importantly I enjoy riding it.

    You might want to try that route yourself - get your wheels first, and then see if you still want to carry on with the full new bike plan.
  • kingrollo
    kingrollo Posts: 3,198
    NapoleonD wrote:
    kingrollo wrote:
    gotta disagree here

    If OP wants a new bike - he can\should buy it for that reason only. If he would rather be seen on a carbon bling thing - whats the harm in that ?

    Personally I always buy a bike I like the look of - that way you have some motivation to get on the thing and ride.

    My average speeds have actually gone up since I got my Kuota Kharma - don't know if that actually due to the bike or more likley that the fit is slightly better.

    Anyway if you want that new bike - just go for it - the money invested - in an investement in keeping yourself fit and healthy, and doing something you enjoy - if you can't throw a grand or two at that .........

    Now that is a good reason to buy a bike, and the reason I did...

    I wholeheartedly agree with that.

    But buying a new bike doesn't transform you overnight into a top cyclist...

    But it does ....for a few fleeting moments, whilst you are getting the bike out of the garage - as you straddle at - at this point you are cavendish , lance, - then a few minutes later you hit the first incline .....and the grind sets in !
  • cougie
    cougie Posts: 22,512
    I like the way that Sam is after the bike in the next week.

    Its a big investment - if you rush in - you'll probably buy badly. I take months to choose a bike - and thats usually the best bit - checking out all of your options.

    Sounds like you have a decent bike at the moment - I'd carry on with that until you've taken it all in and had chance to look round and maybe ride some more bikes.

    Must admit I love my CF frame - lovely comfy ride - better than my steel bike that I was quite happy with, and better than the alu bike that is a bit harsh.
  • boristhebold
    boristhebold Posts: 103
    I went through this quandary a fortnight ago. I had a ti framed bike with some rather heavy wheels and a 39/53 chainset. I looked at getting some new wheels and tyres/tubes, and also a decent new 34/50 chainset. When I priced it up I was into the £400 plus arena.
    I then looked around the bike shops online incl ebay and ended up getting an as new Kuota Kharma and sold my existing bike. The two have pretty much balanced out, financially, but I now own a nearly new hardly ridden bike and have rid of my 6 or 7 year old well used but faithful old steed. Maybe worth thinking about ??

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