Upgrade parts or bike?

Graeme Jones

Still being fairly new to road cycling I am unsure as to what would be a better avenue to go down next summer?
Buy a new bike that is lighter (carbon) with better group set or look to improve my Defy4 buy upgrading wheels, stem,bars, seat post to shave some weight off it.
I am sure the later could be done at a reasonable cost if shopped around. Is it worth upgrading the parts on a aluminium frame or not?

drlodge

What kind of budget have you got to play with? That will dictate whether you are into changing the frame or just some components.

KentPuncheur

Graeme Jones wrote:

Still being fairly new to road cycling I am unsure as to what would be a better avenue to go down next summer?
Buy a new bike that is lighter (carbon) with better group set or look to improve my Defy4 buy upgrading wheels, stem,bars, seat post to shave some weight off it.
I am sure the later could be done at a reasonable cost if shopped around. Is it worth upgrading the parts on a aluminium frame or not?

Purely depends on your goals? If you ride for leisure and comfort, that will dictate what sort of upgrades to go for, but if you are racing then that too will influence any upgrade decision.

The best advice I ever received regarding upgrades was to just simply ride my bike more. Upgrade yourself first, then look for certain component upgrades after. The benefits they bring will be minimal performance wise (unless you upgrade for comfort). Then I'd suggest you first look at upgrading wheels.

Graeme Jones

This I where I am unsure say I spent £500 on a £700 bike then it seems a little bit ridiculous in that respect. I may just get a second bike next summer for £1500-2200 and use the defy as a turbo/shitty weather/commuter bike.
The defy 3 is good to be fair the sora gears are competent but hardly amazing either. The bike weighs in at 10kg and after picking up a moda stretto in the show room it made mine feel like a MTB!
I would probably look in to the Defy advanced range as they look pretty good or I may go for a bit of exotic depending on what's available at the time
And to be fair your completely right about bettering yourself as its the most important part of any bike

noiseboyfeetman

Graeme Jones wrote:

I may just get a second bike next summer for £1500-2200 and use the defy as a turbo/sh!tty weather/commuter bike.

This.