What upgrade?

copperthorpe
copperthorpe Posts: 82
edited March 2013 in Road buying advice
I have appox 700 qiud to spend....would I be better buying cheap 2nd bike or getting gear and 'winter wheels'...currently ride a 2010 Defy Alliance with 105/Tiagra,Aksiums & Elites for better days?
C49

Comments

  • Buckled_Rims
    Buckled_Rims Posts: 1,648
    I'd go for a second bike. There's so many advantages, like using it in very bad weather and using it to learn maintenance. Probably a second hand cyclocross (like I have) capable of mudguards and racks. But really it depends on your riding style or even where you live.
    CAAD9
    Kona Jake the Snake
    Merlin Malt 4
  • cycleclinic
    cycleclinic Posts: 6,865
    Remember the nmber of bike you should own is N+1, so the second bike wins. Owning a bike which can take full length mudguards I think is essential, somethin like a Tifosi CK7, a Kenesis, Surely trucker or the many cyclocross bikes out there like the Tifosi CK1 although. Avoid any winter bike with BB30 system, that a wet weather do not go together well. Ideally a winter bike will have a 8 speed drivetrain and se a sqare taper BB as these parts are cheap and last well.

    I would start with a CK7 frame or something similar and built it up with a mix of new and secondhand parts.
    http://www.thecycleclinic.co.uk -wheel building and other stuff.
  • Thanks for advice...I was thinking of Giant TCX (105) & swapping the groupsets over so the old stuff is getting beat up and shiney 105 stays on my 'good' bike.

    Getting TCX for £550 at LBS so thought it was too good to turn down.
    C49