Is £1100 expensive for an aluminium road bike?

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Comments

  • Gabbo
    Gabbo Posts: 864
    ShutUpLegs wrote:
    bails1310 wrote:
    Direct or which store?

    http://www.canyon.com/_uk/roadbikes/bike.html?b=2503

    http://www.canyon.com/_uk/roadbikes/bike.html?b=2504

    Personally the 2nd one would be better

    Why is it so cheap? Ones equipped with Ultegra and the other SRAM and they're dirt cheap!
  • BA_Biker
    BA_Biker Posts: 1
    A few things about the BMC Streetracer.

    1. Yes, it will ride a little rougher than carbon. About on par with CAAD-10 and a stiffer steel bike.
    2. The 105 version will probably weigh within a pound of a comparable carbon bike at the same price point. Which isn't noticeable or important unless your a weight weenie. You can make-up the weight difference by better fitness.
    3. The StreetRacer has a 1cm taller head tube and a slightly shorter top tube than most "racing" geometry bikes. This theoretically will give it a more relaxed, upright riding position. I notice the difference going between my Gunnar (which has a standard "racing" type geometry) and my StreetRacer. Whether this is bad or good depends on your preference. The Tarmac has a more "racing" type geometry so, the StreetRacer, from a geometry point of view, is more akin to a Roubaix in the Specialized line or a Cannondale Synapse than a CAAD-10. Your fit on the bike and your riding position preference should dictate which works better.
    4. Sora will work ok but there's a significant difference between them and 105s. The shifting ergonomics are different between Soras and all the other Shimano groupos (kind of a hybrid between Shimano and Campy). It's 9 speed only. The gear/brake cables from the shifters are exposed - you can't hide them underneath the bar tape like you can with 105 or better. IMO, this looks messy. Sora components are painted and have more plastic pieces which makes them more susceptible to breaking, scratches, and getting worn-out faster than 105. Plus they're heavier. Also, consider the other components on the bike such as the wheels, brakes, cranks, etc. Aluminum is far cheaper to produce than carbon so, to get to this price-point many carbon manufacturers will skimp on various pieces to make it work. So you may get a 105 rear derailleur and shifters but, cheaper looking and/or performing brakes, wheels, and cranks. Not a big deal if you plan to swap out components at later date or you have a buddy with an old Dura Ace crankset who's willing to give it you for free.
    5. The StreetRacer is nicely equipt with an almost complete 105 groupo (sans brakes - which are one level down but work fine), well built and finished Easton components (stem, handlebar, and seatpost), and a reliable and reasonably light set of hoops.

    I think that the BMC StreetRacer and the CAAD-10 are the best values on the market today. It's hard to beat them from a price, performance, and weight perspective. I thought long and hard about the carbon vs. Al. I just couldn't justify the cost difference between a carbon and Al bike with the same level of components. Of course, the most important thing is fit so, buy the bike that fits you and your wallet the best!

    Cheers!
  • BlakeysFC
    BlakeysFC Posts: 233
    Giant Defy 1 or Defy 0

    £999/£1099 one of the best aluminium frames out there.

    The Defy 1 comes with 105, the Defy 0 Ultegra

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