Womens road bike after a Giant OCR- best buy?

KatB
KatB Posts: 11
edited October 2013 in Road buying advice
First post here, so Hi!! :)

I've just got into triathlons, but more specifically love the cycling part, so have decided to splash the cash a little bit on a new bike. I want it for about 140miles a week training rides, and sprint/olympic tri's, so more of a sportive frame I guess from a comfort point of view?

I currently ride an old Giant OCR with a triple chainset, on a 50cm frame, but find it a bit big reach wise as I've got a very long stem on it (brought it from a tall boy, I'm 5'7 so definitely not the perfect fit for me!!) and ultimately I want something lighter...

I have been and test rode a Cube Axial WLS GTC pro 2013 which I LOVED, and like the fact it has shimano 105's all round, but didn't buy there and then as wanted the 2014 colour scheme... :oops:

So, for no more than around the 1400.00GBP mark, what is worth looking at? Am I best off going for carbon, or a better equipped alu frame? Any help for this slightly clueless girl would be much appreciated!!

Comments

  • diamonddog
    diamonddog Posts: 3,426
    Welcome to the forum.
    If you don't mind mail order have a look at Planet X/Canyon/Dolan/Ribble you can get full carbon and good gearing from these for £999 upwards and you can use your existing bikes geometry as a guide. :)
  • arran77
    arran77 Posts: 9,260
    If you're quick there are still some 2013 bikes about at reduced prices so you might find a good deal there.

    Mrs 77 rides a Giant Avail Composite 1 which is a great well spec'd bike and is available within your budget if you have a look around.
    "Arran, you are like the Tony Benn of smut. You have never diluted your depravity and always stand by your beliefs. You have my respect sir and your wife my pity" :lol:

    seanoconn
  • KatB
    KatB Posts: 11
    Thanks for the replies :) WOW at the Planet X/Ribble value, anyone got any experience of these makes/recommendations? I havent looked at them before as automatically thought they'd be out my price range!!

    I am not too far away from Planet X anyway, so could easily be tempted to go for a fitting etc...
  • diamonddog
    diamonddog Posts: 3,426
    I have a Pro Carbon Sram build great bike very responsive, highly recommend it. Weight wise with a few upgrades, total upgrade costs £280, now weighs 7.32kg/16.1lbs :)
  • diamonddog
    diamonddog Posts: 3,426
    KatB: I am only a few miles form PX if you go ask for Craig at PX really nice guy. PM me if you want more info.
  • KatB
    KatB Posts: 11
    Thanks diamonddog... just waiting for some cash to come through then will hot foot it up there me thinks... exciting :)
  • arran77
    arran77 Posts: 9,260
    A new bike is exciting, post up some pics when you get it :)
    "Arran, you are like the Tony Benn of smut. You have never diluted your depravity and always stand by your beliefs. You have my respect sir and your wife my pity" :lol:

    seanoconn
  • KatB
    KatB Posts: 11
    arran, it is very exciting :):) Its my first foray into "proper" cycling, and am already slightly obsessed with "bike porn" ;) Will make sure I post pics of whatever I end up with...hopefully sooned rather than later! :)
  • KatB
    KatB Posts: 11
    Does it go without question that carbon is the best way forward?
  • keef66
    keef66 Posts: 13,123
    KatB wrote:
    Does it go without question that carbon is the best way forward?

    Not neccessarily...

    Cannondale's CAAD 10 is highly regarded, as is the Canyon Ultimate AL. Genesis have a steel race frame too.

    This would've been a good buy if they had your size, but I fear the 54 might be too big?

    http://www.westbrookcycles.co.uk/frames ... 12-p194665

    Check the geometry against your current bike though; they do have relatively short top tubes
  • diamonddog
    diamonddog Posts: 3,426
    edited October 2013
    IMO yes to carbon :)
  • arran77
    arran77 Posts: 9,260
    KatB wrote:
    Does it go without question that carbon is the best way forward?

    No, some of the very high end bikes will be something other than carbon, titanium for example.

    Carbon looks good though 8)

    As for 'bike porn' I know what you mean :wink:
    "Arran, you are like the Tony Benn of smut. You have never diluted your depravity and always stand by your beliefs. You have my respect sir and your wife my pity" :lol:

    seanoconn
  • suzyb
    suzyb Posts: 3,449
    I ride the Cube you've been looking at and I love it.

    I found it was the best at that £1400 price mark although my choice was more limited due to my height.
    Whippet
  • Bar Shaker
    Bar Shaker Posts: 2,313
    KatB wrote:
    Does it go without question that carbon is the best way forward?

    Yes, the material has 'come of age'.

    Everyone that I know of that bought a metal bike in the last few years wishes they had bought carbon.

    It is not just the light weight, but how the frame stiffness can be designed to give the best power transfer whilst making the bike comfortable to ride.

    At your budget, I think you would come to regret buying a non carbon bike.
    Boardman Elite SLR 9.2S
    Boardman FS Pro
  • keef66
    keef66 Posts: 13,123
    Bar Shaker wrote:
    KatB wrote:
    Does it go without question that carbon is the best way forward?

    Yes, the material has 'come of age'.

    Everyone that I know of that bought a metal bike in the last few years wishes they had bought carbon.

    It is not just the light weight, but how the frame stiffness can be designed to give the best power transfer whilst making the bike comfortable to ride.

    At your budget, I think you would come to regret buying a non carbon bike.

    6 years ago I bought a bike with a good alu frame / carbon fork because at the time the carbon equivalents were too dear or had very budget groupsets / finishing kit.

    Spent a lot of those 6 years wondering if I should have bought carbon, and when I saw Westbrooks offering the outgoing CR1-SL frames for £500 I snapped one up. Transferred all the kit from the alu bike, so I had a direct comparison. It feels a lot lighter, and it definitely takes more of the sting out of riding over rough road surfaces at speed. But this is a top end super light frame. I think If I'd bought a budget carbon frame back then I would have regretted it.

    That was then, and as stated above, the technology is pretty mature now. I'd guess it's hard to buy a bad carbon frame.

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