£2K to spend on a new bike - any advice?

Faroon

I have about £2K to spend on my new bike - I currently have an Aeron TR frameset with Campag Mirage groupset, on Khamsin wheels. It's fine as a commuter, and winter training bike, but I need something lighter to race on. I do Duathlons, Triathlons, but also longer sportives (I'm entered into Etape Cymru in October, for example).

I need something that'll be quick for the races, comfortable for the sportives, and has some upgrade potential for the future.

My current choices are:

Felt AR5 - great frame, but "only" 105 groupset, and fairly hefty wheels. Also over my budget, slightly.
Kuota Kebel - I can just sneak SRAM Rival/Force onto it, and some lighter wheels, but the frame isn't as good as the Felt.
Ridley Orion Limited Edition - it has Ultegra on it, but it's a more sportive frame than a racing frame. It is only £1800 though.

Do I go for the better frame on the Felt, and upgrade the wheels when I have the cash? Or go for the Kuota with the better groupset, but accept the less aero frame? And save a wee bit of cash.

I'm swithering. Any advice from more seasoned buyers?

saintdracula

FELT F

markos1963

Buy the best frame you can afford, that bit stays around the longest so needs to be the best. Group and wheels will eventually wear out and be replaced so upgrade then.

rogerthecat

m8 your frame is the heart of the bike; all else can be upgraded at a later date, and to be honest will be what ever you buy with a limited budget. GS, Wheels are a constant price, so if you have a 2k budget, and the sum of all the parts less the frame is, lets say 1.5k then you are buying a 500 pound frame! get my point.

rogerthecat

Have you looked at a Storck Scenero?


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