Bang for the buck. Carbon bike under $4K?

twoniner
twoniner Posts: 19
edited February 2016 in Road buying advice
Avid mountain biker. I bought my first road bike. Emonda ALR4 to see if it's something I would like. And I love it. And I'm already wanting to jump up to a carbon bike. Narrowed it down to the Giant TCR Advanced Pro1 and the Specialized Tarmac Expert. Also looking at the Cannondale SuperSix Evo and the Scott Addict. All in the 3-4K price range , all sport Ultegra but the Giant is the only one with carbon wheels and it is the cheapest (which makes no sense to me) makes me think the giant is sub-par.? Why would you get a better bike for less money? On paper I don't see why anyone would buy anything but the Giant. But I'm still new to the road tech. I would appreciate any advice on this topic.

Thanks!!!
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Comments

  • dstev55
    dstev55 Posts: 742
    $4k - so that's about £2750.

    For that sort of money over here I'd be wanting Dura Ace I think. If you like the Emonda ALR so much, have you not considered the Emonda SL8? I have ridden one and it is a lovely bike although I'd want to upgrade the wheels.
  • izza
    izza Posts: 1,561
    Giant always offer good value for money They are the biggest manufacturer in the world and generally, sure high quality parts over a period of a few years and then come out with their own versions. Not sub par in any way.
  • Dodger747
    Dodger747 Posts: 305
    One of the direct retailers - for 'bang for buck' they are by far superior as you don't have to pay middle-men and their markup.

    So Canyon or Rose...
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  • dstev55
    dstev55 Posts: 742
    Dodger747 wrote:
    One of the direct retailers - for 'bang for buck' they are by far superior as you don't have to pay middle-men and their markup.

    So Canyon or Rose...

    Assuming he is in the US then that puts Canyon out the picture.
  • donboogie
    donboogie Posts: 75
    My money would go to the TCR Advanced Pro 1. New frame + new carbon wheels + full ultegra for $3200 USD MSRP. How can you go wrong with that.
  • twoniner
    twoniner Posts: 19
    dstev55 wrote:
    $4k - so that's about £2750.

    For that sort of money over here I'd be wanting Dura Ace I think. If you like the Emonda ALR so much, have you not considered the Emonda SL8? I have ridden one and it is a lovely bike although I'd want to upgrade the wheels.

    Was actually thinking about the SL8 but after putting carbon wheels you are up around 6k. Not sure I want to get in that deep... But then again every time I try to save money I end up spending more!! Haha
  • twoniner
    twoniner Posts: 19
    edited February 2016
    DonBoogie wrote:
    My money would go to the TCR Advanced Pro 1. New frame + new carbon wheels + full ultegra for $3200 USD MSRP. How can you go wrong with that.

    Ya On paper I don't see how you can go wrong on this bike. I just don't know much bout Giant. I just know I don't like their 29er mountain bikes cuz the chain stay is way too long and they handle like crap. So think it just put a bad taste in my mouth. But I'm sure road is a whole different ball game.
  • twoniner
    twoniner Posts: 19
    izza wrote:
    Giant always offer good value for money They are the biggest manufacturer in the world and generally, sure high quality parts over a period of a few years and then come out with their own versions. Not sub par in any way.

    Heard that from a few people. The Pro1 does look like very good quality from what I can tell.
  • dstev55
    dstev55 Posts: 742
    twoniner wrote:
    dstev55 wrote:
    $4k - so that's about £2750.

    For that sort of money over here I'd be wanting Dura Ace I think. If you like the Emonda ALR so much, have you not considered the Emonda SL8? I have ridden one and it is a lovely bike although I'd want to upgrade the wheels.

    Was actually thinking about the SL8 but after putting carbon wheels you are up around 6k. Not sure I want to get in that deep... But then again every time I try to save money I end up spending more!! Haha

    No need for carbon wheels, plenty of good aluminium sets over here for £300-£400 that would be a huge improvement over the stockies.

    But as others have said, the Giants are great value for money, especially with their new wheels that come with a lot of the models. I wouldn't worry about their quality, a third of the carbon frames you see on road bikes are made by Giant!
  • twoniner
    twoniner Posts: 19
    dstev55 wrote:
    twoniner wrote:
    dstev55 wrote:
    $4k - so that's about £2750.

    For that sort of money over here I'd be wanting Dura Ace I think. If you like the Emonda ALR so much, have you not considered the Emonda SL8? I have ridden one and it is a lovely bike although I'd want to upgrade the wheels.

    Was actually thinking about the SL8 but after putting carbon wheels you are up around 6k. Not sure I want to get in that deep... But then again every time I try to save money I end up spending more!! Haha

    No need for carbon wheels, plenty of good aluminium sets over here for £300-£400 that would be a huge improvement over the stockies.

    But as others have said, the Giants are great value for money, especially with their new wheels that come with a lot of the models. I wouldn't worry about their quality, a third of the carbon frames you see on road bikes are made by Giant!

    I know I don't NEED carbon wheels. Just I just love the way it sounds! Hahaha. All signs are pointing to the Giant. I don't know why I just always thought of them as a lesser brand. But from what you guys say that doesn't seem to be the case.
  • ic.
    ic. Posts: 769
    DonBoogie wrote:
    My money would go to the TCR Advanced Pro 1. New frame + new carbon wheels + full ultegra for $3200 USD MSRP. How can you go wrong with that.

    Well if it doesn't fit him......

    Identify a few, test ride them, pick the one that rides the best and you get most enjoyment out of. Go for quality frame over quality group set. No point buying a wibbly wobbly cheap frame that handles like a bowl of porridge just cos it has Durace on it
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  • twoniner
    twoniner Posts: 19
    IC. wrote:
    DonBoogie wrote:
    My money would go to the TCR Advanced Pro 1. New frame + new carbon wheels + full ultegra for $3200 USD MSRP. How can you go wrong with that.

    Well if it doesn't fit him......

    Identify a few, test ride them, pick the one that rides the best and you get most enjoyment out of. Go for quality frame over quality group set. No point buying a wibbly wobbly cheap frame that handles like a bowl of porridge just cos it has Durace on it

    I'm definitely worried bout the frame quality of the giant. I have had treks for a long time and I trust them and have seen the quality. I hear a lot of claims that giant makes their frames as well as others... But I have researched this and still yet to see proof...? I heard it's more that they are made "under the same roof" not necessarily that Giant MAKES treks frames.. I still would like clarification on this.?
  • dstev55
    dstev55 Posts: 742
    Why don't you go to a shop and take a look at one?

    I for one consider Giant quality to be the equal of the likes of Trek, Specialized etc.

    If you're REALLY that worried about frame quality then why not save a bit more and get a Trek Emonda SLR as they are made in your fine country as opposed to the SL being made in Taiwan.
  • Dodger747
    Dodger747 Posts: 305
    twoniner wrote:
    I'm definitely worried bout the frame quality of the giant. I have had treks for a long time and I trust them and have seen the quality. I hear a lot of claims that giant makes their frames as well as others... But I have researched this and still yet to see proof...? I heard it's more that they are made "under the same roof" not necessarily that Giant MAKES treks frames.. I still would like clarification on this.?

    This should help...

    http://inrng.com/who-makes-what/
    http://inrng.com/2012/02/who-made-your-bike/

    Not entirely sure what you mean by made under the same roof, but if it's produced in Giant's factory for example, it is made by Giant.
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  • bendertherobot
    bendertherobot Posts: 11,684
    http://www.paulscycles.co.uk/m7b65s6p57 ... M-RED-2015

    That and some extra wheels? :D
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  • bendertherobot
    bendertherobot Posts: 11,684
    http://www.paulscycles.co.uk/m6b65s25p6 ... FRAME-2015

    Or, that, Sram etap, some nice wheels and decent finishing kit.

    So that's £750. Etap about £1100. That leaves almost a grand for wheels, tyres and finishing kit. Say £750 on wheels. etc
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  • mrb123
    mrb123 Posts: 4,816
    bendertherobot wrote:
    http://www.paulscycles.co.uk/m6b65s25p6646/CANNONDALE-SUPERSIX-EVO-HI-MOD-FRAME-2015

    Or, that, Sram etap, some nice wheels and decent finishing kit.

    So that's £750. Etap about £1100. That leaves almost a grand for wheels, tyres and finishing kit. Say £750 on wheels. etc

    Excellent suggestion. That frame really is unbelievable value.
  • twoniner
    twoniner Posts: 19
    dstev55 wrote:
    Why don't you go to a shop and take a look at one?

    I for one consider Giant quality to be the equal of the likes of Trek, Specialized etc.

    If you're REALLY that worried about frame quality then why not save a bit more and get a Trek Emonda SLR as they are made in your fine country as opposed to the SL being made in Taiwan.

    Actually. Good idea. Thanks
  • twoniner
    twoniner Posts: 19
    bendertherobot wrote:
    http://www.paulscycles.co.uk/m7b65s6p5776/CANNONDALE-SUPERSIX-EVO-SRAM-RED-2015

    That and some extra wheels? :D

    The Evo has been makin it's way up my list. Seems to have great reviews and few of you have suggested it. Gunna go see one today and test ride it. Thanks!
  • bendertherobot
    bendertherobot Posts: 11,684
    twoniner wrote:
    bendertherobot wrote:
    http://www.paulscycles.co.uk/m7b65s6p5776/CANNONDALE-SUPERSIX-EVO-SRAM-RED-2015

    That and some extra wheels? :D

    The Evo has been makin it's way up my list. Seems to have great reviews and few of you have suggested it. Gunna go see one today and test ride it. Thanks!

    I'd definitely go the Hi Mod frameset route if you can. Even if you don't want eTap you can still have Dura Ace or even DI2 for £1k. Then wheels etc. Honest, you won't beat that on spec.
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  • twoniner
    twoniner Posts: 19
    Test ride the Giant today and I didn't noticed much if any difference from the tiagra on my trek to ultegra components but that giant frame is definitely a quality frame! Super stiff and responsive with lots of confidence. I really like it. You guys were right. Going to ride the SuperSix Evo on Saturday.
  • dstev55
    dstev55 Posts: 742
    twoniner wrote:
    Test ride the Giant today and I didn't noticed much if any difference from the tiagra on my trek to ultegra components but that giant frame is definitely a quality frame! Super stiff and responsive with lots of confidence. I really like it. You guys were right. Going to ride the SuperSix Evo on Saturday.

    Didn't notice much differance between Tiagra and Ultegra? Really? :o

    Glad you like the frame though.
  • MikeBrew
    MikeBrew Posts: 814
    bendertherobot wrote:
    http://www.paulscycles.co.uk/m7b65s6p5776/CANNONDALE-SUPERSIX-EVO-SRAM-RED-2015

    That and some extra wheels? :D


    A four wheeled bicycle ? Interesting concept but think of the increased chances of a puncture !
  • twoniner
    twoniner Posts: 19
    dstev55 wrote:
    twoniner wrote:
    Test ride the Giant today and I didn't noticed much if any difference from the tiagra on my trek to ultegra components but that giant frame is definitely a quality frame! Super stiff and responsive with lots of confidence. I really like it. You guys were right. Going to ride the SuperSix Evo on Saturday.

    Didn't notice much differance between Tiagra and Ultegra? Really? :o

    Glad you like the frame though.

    Did a 2nd ride ya noticed a difference with ultegra but not huge. Then I rode a Tarmac... I think I like it better then the Giant...
  • bendertherobot
    bendertherobot Posts: 11,684
    Did you ride a 'Six?
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  • Dodger747
    Dodger747 Posts: 305
    I'm not entirely convinced that a test ride tells you anything more than the quality of the tires and the saddle.
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  • twoniner
    twoniner Posts: 19
    Ok i have it narrowed down but my local cannonade shop said they might be doing 10-15% off. Is there a huge difference between the Evo and the Hi-Mod Evo? Hi-mod ultegra is $4260 and 15% would get me around $3600 which is doable. Then my local Specialized shop is dropping the Tarmac Expert from 3700$ to $3000. And i still like the giant TCR pro1 at 3200$ with carbon wheels. I so lost in the road bike world... I know mtn bikes inside and out but this is a whole new world to me... help me out here!!!??? haha
    -Tarmac Expert
    -SuperSix Evo standard or hi-mod
    -Giant TCR Pro1

    what would you buy??? honestly i like them all lol
  • twoniner
    twoniner Posts: 19
    bendertherobot wrote:
    Did you ride a 'Six?

    I rode the evo 105. i really liked it. I can get the eve ultegra 3 for around $2600 or the hi mod for around $3600.. worth the extra $1000?
  • twoniner
    twoniner Posts: 19
    Dodger747 wrote:
    I'm not entirely convinced that a test ride tells you anything more than the quality of the tires and the saddle.

    yah thats pretty much how i felt haha
  • kingstonian
    kingstonian Posts: 2,847
    bendertherobot wrote:
    http://www.paulscycles.co.uk/m6b65s25p6646/CANNONDALE-SUPERSIX-EVO-HI-MOD-FRAME-2015

    Or, that, Sram etap, some nice wheels and decent finishing kit.

    So that's £750. Etap about £1100. That leaves almost a grand for wheels, tyres and finishing kit. Say £750 on wheels. etc


    That is a ridiculously good frame for that price.

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