£700 max to spend – used Carbon or new Alu?

smashed

Hi, I bought a new Triban 3 a few months ago and have cycled 100miles a week to work ever since. I bought it new as I didn’t want much going wrong as I was a bit of a noob with bike maintenance.
I therefore wish to upgrade.

However, after going around the houses I am at a bit of a crossroads as to what to buy.

Near me I have found 2 bikes that I like.
Via Nirone 7 Alu 2010 (Xenon) £400
Specialized Roubaix Elite Carbon Fibre 2008 (105 / Ultegra) with less than 100 miles on it from new.– if I can get for £700.

Now, I like the look of the Via Nirone but I guess the Xenon is not much better than my Sora / 2300 kit on the Triban? Should I be looking more towards 105 as a minimum? IF so, would £700 on a 4 year old Specialized Carbon be paying over the odds (or is this a fair price given that it is still effectively as new?).

If neither are good, can somebody suggest what I should be looking for as a good long term bike? (I would rather buy once than keep swapping and I do not want something that has already been used heavily as I will be putting some miles on it). e.g. for £700 would I be better off with a new Ribble with alu frame and half decent kit?

Thanks (and sorry for all the questions)

FSR_XC

100 miles in 4 years!

It should be as new

I find it difficult to believe that mileage. The tyres should still have the mould marks on the tread with that sort of mileage.

smashed

Thanks for the reply. Well I can go check it. If it was "as new" then would I be paying over the top at £700 given its age? Or is it value for money. Trying to gauge it is hard for a noob.

kfinlay

You could do a lot worse than consider a Boardman Team Carbon - plenty available at £700, good bike with good spec - personally I'd get the 2009/10 model with Rival rather than the later ones with 105 but thats more a personal thing. Might even pick one up that has had the wheels upgraded so even better!
Plenty others such as Focus Cayo, Cube, Ribble, Planet X too

smashed

THanks, does that mean the spesh is overpriced?

Hmm, I just bought this. Was this a bad move? It seemed a good option but only you guys can tell me if it was value for money?
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/270993032342? ... 3D1&_rdc=1

smashed

Looking around, it appears that the SRAM Force groupset is worth a good whack of that on it's own? A trek to get the bike and a less forgiving ride. But it did seem a good price?

unixnerd

Test ride the Roubaix on some bad roads, you'll be amazed at the ride quality. I bought a new one last month and it's a revelation compared to my previous alu bike. I finish long rides feeling much fresher than before.

smashed

unixnerd wrote:

Test ride the Roubaix on some bad roads, you'll be amazed at the ride quality. I bought a new one last month and it's a revelation compared to my previous alu bike. I finish long rides feeling much fresher than before.

Thanks, it did look good but I wasnt sure if I am paying over the odds given its age. It matches the colour scheme of my Spesh MTB though. (which has SRAM like the Ribble Stealth)

I have never pulled out of an Ebay auction but as nobody else bid on the Stealth I could always give the seller some cash to apologise and mutually withdraw if the Specialized is a better bike for the money.

styxd

I dont think I'd pay £700 for a 4 year old (soon to be 5) bike with 105 components. As stated above, look for a boardman or summat like that

smashed

styxd wrote:

I dont think I'd pay £700 for a 4 year old (soon to be 5) bike with 105 components. As stated above, look for a boardman or summat like that

Cheers, that was my concern. but then is technologically any worse than a 2012 model ? (e.g. if it has hardly been used).

Anyway, I won the auction for the Ribble Stealth with SRAM Force groupset for £750. Is that a better buy? SRAM Force looks good to me and the frame has great reviews. It would cost me double that to build it myself new from Ribble so I think it looks a fair deal. - but then I am new to this.

unixnerd

> Cheers, that was my concern. but then is technologically any worse than a 2012 model ?

In terms of the frame it might be, can't remember if it was 2008 or 2009 that the Roubaix frame went through a big change. If it has straight seatstays it's the old model. As for 105 the old version with the cable routing that's not hidden under the bar tape shifts better than the current version. If the bike really is "as-new unused" it's a bargain despite the age. You'd be about 2k for the current 105 version.

styxd

I cant view the ebay link, but a Ribble Stealth with full Sram Force sounds like a bargain compared to the specialized. Id get that!

What wheels does it have?

smashed

arggghhh..

So if this "as new" then is it a better choice than the Ribble Stealth?
I took it as Stealth = newer, better set (SRAM Force v 105), probably better resale value. Spesh = less used, immaculate condition, close to home so no commute, more forgiving.

I thought the Stealth was the way to go until you just said that it is a great deal if the bike is still effectively as new.

Don't wish to make an expensive mistake.

smashed

styxd wrote:

I cant view the ebay link, but a Ribble Stealth with full Sram Force sounds like a bargain compared to the specialized. Id get that!

What wheels does it have?

The stealth looks like it has the standard Rodi Airline 4 Clinchers .

The only text relating to spec is:

seat tube : Campagnolo record
stem: Deda
handlebar: Deda
Sram Force 10 Spd Groupset

Love my bike but I'm going to be traveling and need the funds. Smooth ribble stealth been using it for 4months excellent condition but the bar tape is torn a little and brake levers are a little scratch.

FSR_XC

That Stealth looks like a bit of a bargain.

The sellers description wasn't all that great, but it's a £1500 bike new and the frame is amazingly light and stiff.

It won't be as comfortable as the Rubaix, but it will be fast. Only improvement I would make, if it were my bike, is to change the wheels - but I would want a set of 50mm Planet X carbons (no stickers) on it (to maintain the stealth look).

Enjoy your Stealth.

smashed

Thanks
The problem is that I would love to have both of them. I guess I will be off to London to get the Stealth then. It seems to get great reviews and I should be able to recoup my money if I find that I do not get on with it for some reason.

smidsy

unixnerd wrote:

Test ride the Roubaix on some bad roads, you'll be amazed at the ride quality. I bought a new one last month and it's a revelation compared to my previous alu bike. I finish long rides feeling much fresher than before.

Traitor!!!! So it is down to me to fly the flag for Dale. No matter - Dale forever !!!! :P

DrLex

smashed wrote:

[...]

The stealth looks like it has the standard Rodi Airline 4 Clinchers .

The only text relating to spec is:

seat tube : Campagnolo record
stem: Deda
handlebar: Deda
Sram Force 10 Spd Groupset

Love my bike but I'm going to be traveling and need the funds. Smooth ribble stealth been using it for 4months excellent condition but the bar tape is torn a little and brake levers are a little scratch.

There's also this bit:

eBay guy wrote:

Paddles not included it just for show

Maybe I'm too suspicious, but I'd be a little concerned that the poor description  of a good quality bike might indicate this to be stolen. If it's only four months old, I'd expect to see a receipt. Else ask for a frame number & check with Ribble?

smashed

You do wonder when buying on ebay but it could be fine. The seller said he had it for a few months, not that it was new.
He has sold a fork on ebay. I assumed it would be more dodgy to see numerous bikes from aseller?

I have yet to hear from him though.

smashed

Pedals in pic but not showing them suggests a cyclist to me.

But who knows. Could definitely do with eBay listing advice.

smashed

No response so I text the number.
They replied and said they are now taking the bike abroad.
So either they were not happy with the low price or they were spooked about my question regarding original owner warranty and a record at rubble.
So, back to the spesh or keep looking?

letap73

Have a look at these:

http://paulscycles.co.uk/products.php?p ... &vid=13240
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/basso-devil-xenon-2011/
http://www.winstanleysbikes.co.uk/produ ... _Bike_2011
http://www.winstanleysbikes.co.uk/produ ... _Bike_2011

And for a little bit more:

http://www.winstanleysbikes.co.uk/produ ... _Bike_2011

PKRAZOR

This guy sounds like a troll to me

smashed

letap73 wrote:

Have a look at these:

http://paulscycles.co.uk/products.php?p ... &vid=13240
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/basso-devil-xenon-2011/
http://www.winstanleysbikes.co.uk/produ ... _Bike_2011
http://www.winstanleysbikes.co.uk/produ ... _Bike_2011

And for a little bit more:

http://www.winstanleysbikes.co.uk/produ ... _Bike_2011

Thanks I will look through these tomorrow.
Troll. Me? I could think of better trolling than asking about bicycles ;-)

Thanks for all the input.

unixnerd

> Traitor!!!! So it is down to me to fly the flag for Dale. No matter - Dale forever !!!!

I wanted a Synapse but the bike shop 100m from my house recently became a Specialized dealer. I just couldn't not buy from him I'm afraid. He gave me a good deal too. Still have the CAAD5 as the bike I use when I'm in aberdeen during the week.

sturmey

My advice would be buy new. You don't know how many hundreds of potholes the frame has thundered into, what stresses have been put on it in its lifetime, whether any of these are going to soon develop into a crack somewhere important. Same for the wheels. And remember you do not get any warranty with secondhand frames.
Chances are you may get a good 'un. But unless the price is v.cheap it's not a chance I would want to take.

smidsy

unixnerd wrote:

I wanted a Synapse but the bike shop 100m from my house recently became a Specialized dealer. I just couldn't not buy from him I'm afraid. He gave me a good deal too.

Still have the CAAD5 as the bike I use when I'm in aberdeen during the week.

Hmmmm, I suppose I can let it slide in that case :P

Enjoy the spesh, but love the dale

smashed

UPDATE

Thanks for the advice everybody.I bought the Roubaix. Really pleased with it. The ride is so soft and I feel very confident that I could ride for hours on it. It is still in excellent condition too.
My only concern now is whether I can sell my Triban 3 or should I keep it for the rainy days? Unsure if I want to cause issues with the gears etc from very wet,muddy days.

unixnerd

Well done :-) I think you made the right choice, once you ride a Roubaix the comfort spoils you for almost anything else.