High end Ali or entry level carbon bike?

gregwari

Hi all

I'm looking at getting a road bike as a training bike (my first love is mountain biking!), my budget of £1,000 to £1,400 seems to be throwing up a choice between high/higher end Ali frame bikes or entry level carbon bikes.

How would you invest your money? Cheers all

LegendLust

Don't worry about the groupsets or finishing kit, always go for the best frame. This is the heart of the bike so getting this right is crucial. Upgrading all the other gear to better/light kit can always come late when funds allow or parts start wearing out.

Buckled_Rims

For the price you mentioned I'd almost certainly go carbon. There's probably too much choice around and it would really confusing even for an experienced road rider to go through all the specs, advantages of this over that. If you're a new to road bikes, then a bike that fits is probably the most important thing. Like MTB bikes, it's not until you try a few you realise how different the same sizes feel. You could take a chance at a mail order bike that will save you money, but it's a gamble.

jamienorton

Guess the obvious advice is to go out and try a couple, maybe the Caad10 and SuperSix two frames with similar geometry one carbon one ali.

likeakipper8

Focus have a UCI approved carbon frame on their Cayo Evo range, the Cayo Evo 6.0 is £1375. I was very tempted but got another carbon in the end for slightly less money