Newbie - Planet X recommendations please

brettjmcc
brettjmcc Posts: 1,361
edited June 2010 in Road beginners
Hey all, sorry if this has been covered before. Tried the search function but couldn't find what I am looking for.

I am getting back into cycling and have a circa £1000 udget for my bike. Sadly my company won't sign up to C2W, so its all my own hard moola.

Anyway afetr punting it round with a few guys inwork I thought I'd come down to either a BOardman or a Planet X. Once again Halfords and their legendary service turned me off when I went in to enquire...

So, I am looking at the Planet X Pro Carbon. Here's the question Would people go for the Ultegra SL or the SRAM?

If you go for the Ultegra that you can customise, what reasonable changes would you make? I am not that much into the technicalities, I need to learn. I used to just get on my bike and ride hard.... :)
BMC GF01
Quintana Roo Cd01
Project High End Hack
Cannondale Synapse SL (gone)
I like Carbon

Comments

  • STEFANOS4784
    STEFANOS4784 Posts: 4,109
    I have Ultegra sl, works great very smooth and pretty light shift compared to my (older) 105. That said i'd go for Sram for the simple fact of weight saving.

    However i love second hand and you could get a right beaut for that amount odf dosh, if your buying blind online anyway you must know what size you need?

    Ask user; Steelem, he has recently had a very good experience in buying a bike off ebay :wink:

    Just make sure you know what you're on about and give it a very thorough going over :)
    winter beast: http://i497.photobucket.com/albums/rr34 ... uff016.jpg
    Summer beast; http://i497.photobucket.com/albums/rr34 ... uff015.jpg
  • hopper1
    hopper1 Posts: 4,389
    If you know what you want, size wise, etc...
    I'd go for the Boardman, but then cut all ties with Halfords and get your LBS to do any further maintenance...
    Plus the Boardman is SRAM. :wink:
    Start with a budget, finish with a mortgage!
  • brettjmcc
    brettjmcc Posts: 1,361
    Well, I thiink I am a 52 frame. However reading some of the stuff on PLanet X's website has got me thiking that I may need to call them.

    I was prepared to swallow the Halfords route, but walking into two local ones near me in Essex has left a bitter taste in my mouth. With the 'nice' customer service I got there, I would probably end up taking the bike over to Bike Trax in Brentwood to get it checked anyway.

    This leaves we then to the point that it I would be adding to the cost that would bring it closer to the Planet X SRAM price.

    Question for you all, this is where I really appreciate the help. Is the weight difference that great between the Ultegra SL and the SRAM Rival? To show my age of my bike (and get a few beard comments from people throiwn in). I have been just keeping fit and training over the years on an old steel frame, that is surprisingly light. I want to get more involed into cycling and the bike has finally given up the ghost, so now seems a good decision point to finally spending th money on a much better bike after years of putting it off.
    BMC GF01
    Quintana Roo Cd01
    Project High End Hack
    Cannondale Synapse SL (gone)
    I like Carbon
  • robbiedont
    robbiedont Posts: 89
    Planet X

    SRAM

    done.
  • brettjmcc
    brettjmcc Posts: 1,361
    Your thoughts on eBay got me thinking. There's a Specialized Tarmac Comp 2008 just gone on for Buy It Now for £600. Is this a good price? Thanks
    BMC GF01
    Quintana Roo Cd01
    Project High End Hack
    Cannondale Synapse SL (gone)
    I like Carbon
  • STEFANOS4784
    STEFANOS4784 Posts: 4,109
    I'd say that was a very good price - of course it all depends on condition. If it was battered and worn and likely to need parts replplacing it may be false economy. That said, i assume it's the one below? Does seem like a pretty good bargain IMO;

    http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Specialzed-Tarmac ... 1e5c518795
    winter beast: http://i497.photobucket.com/albums/rr34 ... uff016.jpg
    Summer beast; http://i497.photobucket.com/albums/rr34 ... uff015.jpg
  • Scrumple
    Scrumple Posts: 2,665
    BEWARE

    you will get lots of posters advising on sram or ultegra just cos they have one or t'other.

    The weight difference is not worth the worry. It is mainly down to preference of style, and what you are used to. I've had both, and both were fine. It is so much a matter of opinion as neither is streets ahead.

    As for the choice, comes down to looks and your preference as both are comparable. Don't rule out Halfords just because of the dweebs in the store. As you said, it is your £1000 so spend it wisely, and buy the best bike for you ignoring the trivialities of sales technique.

    As for customising, forget it right now. You need to decide on the compact/double - and then cassette ratio. At your price point the rest can wait. Maybe just add a saddle you know you get on with?

    Either bike will be great value. Pick the one you are drawn to, and pick the gears you are familiar with.
  • Scrumple
    Scrumple Posts: 2,665
    what size are you too?? some corking boardmans in the classifieds here.

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