Cheap Carbon or Alloy Frame?

wilkij1975
wilkij1975 Posts: 532
edited November 2011 in Road buying advice
Hi All

After spending the year on my CAAD8 and feeling a bit stretched out I have decided to go for a new frame to build up over the winter. My budget won't be big, something around the £500 mark and I was just wanting some opinions as to weather a cheap carbon frame eg Ribble or Planet X would be better than a good alloy frame?

The frames I had in mind were the Evo Pro Carbon, Gran Fondo or Sportive from Ribble, the Pro Carbon from Planet X or on the alloy front i'm liking the look of the Cinelli Experience.

Riding wise, I mainly go out for fitness. No racing etc (yet) but am looking to do a few longer rides next year. Geometry wise, i'd like a bit of comfort as i'm getting a bit older now and something that might feel a bit shorter than the CAAD. I'm 6'5 but have long legs and arms and short body (I did have a 58cm Specialized Allez that fit perfect a few years back).

Thanks for any help.

Comments

  • Last year Planet X did a good sale after Xmas. They were doing the Nanolight HiMod for £500.

    I'd personally hold out to see what may pop up if you are in no rush...
  • Before you replace a very nice alloy frame you could try changing the stem and/or the bars.

    If you can head into a bike shop and hold some Deda Zero100 or 3T ErgoNova bars up against your current ones I'd bet you'll find the reach is shorter (from the tops to where you mount the hoods), pair them with a 1cm shorter stem (I wouldn't go below 8cm) and you'll have a lot less reach on your bike.