Buy, Sell or Stick? Quandary!

photonic69

In a bit of a quandary and don't know what is the best option so seeking views.

Scenario:

1- I have a Giant Defy 3 (2013) with a Sora Groupset. I love this bike as it is my first road bike and I find it very comfortable and it does exactly what I want it to do. It's perfect. However, the original rims are now worn and need replacing.

2- I commute to work on an old Fuji 29er mountain bike with slick commuter wheels. It's a heavy beast and has front suspension which is pointless. I use it off road about 2-3 a year if that (put the knobblies back on etc). My commute is 50% flat and 50% up a very long hill at 8-14% gradient. It's only a 3 mile journey each way and the weight of the bike is a good workout. However, headset bearings need replacing and front wheel bearings a bit rough and notchy.

Looking at getting a new commuter and winter bike on the Cycle to Work Scheme. Something like a Ribble CGR with 105 Hydraulic disk brakes. It seems to get very good reviews and perfect for fast hill descents (daily occurrence on the commute - and easy to replace worn brake disks rather than rims), it can take full mud guards and can be my winter club run bike too. Or can you all suggest a similar bike at better value than the CGR?

I would sell/trade in my Fuji commuter but what about my beloved Giant? Is it best to just get a set of cheapish new wheels and run until it dies or is it worth upgrading the components to a 105 groupset and get some nice wheels and keeping it as my summer bike? (mudguards have been a real pain on this bike). The condition of the bike is extremely good as I really look after my bikes.

What to do????

bungalballs

The Giant Defy Aluxx frames of that era (in my view) might appear nothing 'special' but are really nicely made and finished, and also comfortable. It wouldn't be worth anything if you sold it so I'd keep hold of it if you like it. How about a Tiagra 4700 groupset for the Giant, and something like a pair of archetypes built onto Tiagra hubs?

Then have a look at something like a Pinnacle Arkose for the commute. They have hydro brakes and loads of clearance for guards, also rack mounts etc. Extra £100 off if you trade in your Fuji at the minute.

I reckon you could do all of the above for roughly the price of the Ribble, possible with a little change.

Matthewfalle

n+1

photonic69

Matthewfalle wrote:

n+1

Oh, indeed! I do like the idea of "n+1", however in my universe "n = (n+1) + (n-1)"

We simply have no more room for bikes! We have 6 in our household already.

Wheelspinner

PhotoNic69 wrote:

Matthewfalle wrote:

n+1

Oh, indeed! I do like the idea of "n+1", however in my universe "n = (n+1) + (n-1)"

We simply have no more room for bikes! We have 6 in our household already.

You need a new house then.

svetty

Turn the Giant into a commuter/winter bike and buy a new best bike.....

photonic69

Svetty wrote:

Turn the Giant into a commuter/winter bike and buy a new best bike.....

I could do but mudguards on the Defy are a nightmare for clearance. I'm forever having to poke mud out of the gap between caliper and tyre. Plus ideally I want disk brakes for the winter/commuter.

ajkerr73

PhotoNic69 wrote:

In a bit of a quandary and don't know what is the best option so seeking views.

Scenario:

1- I have a Giant Defy 3 (2013) with a Sora Groupset. I love this bike as it is my first road bike and I find it very comfortable and it does exactly what I want it to do. It's perfect. However, the original rims are now worn and need replacing.

2- I commute to work on an old Fuji 29er mountain bike with slick commuter wheels. It's a heavy beast and has front suspension which is pointless. I use it off road about 2-3 a year if that (put the knobblies back on etc). My commute is 50% flat and 50% up a very long hill at 8-14% gradient. It's only a 3 mile journey each way and the weight of the bike is a good workout. However, headset bearings need replacing and front wheel bearings a bit rough and notchy.

Looking at getting a new commuter and winter bike on the Cycle to Work Scheme. Something like a Ribble CGR with 105 Hydraulic disk brakes. It seems to get very good reviews and perfect for fast hill descents (daily occurrence on the commute - and easy to replace worn brake disks rather than rims), it can take full mud guards and can be my winter club run bike too. Or can you all suggest a similar bike at better value than the CGR?

I would sell/trade in my Fuji commuter but what about my beloved Giant? Is it best to just get a set of cheapish new wheels and run until it dies or is it worth upgrading the components to a 105 groupset and get some nice wheels and keeping it as my summer bike? (mudguards have been a real pain on this bike). The condition of the bike is extremely good as I really look after my bikes.

What to do????

Why not go for a new carbon Defy?

Same comfortable geometry, increased tyre clearance (if you go for one of the disc brake models.)

Good all year round bike if you get rid of the old Giant (which wont be worth a lot of ££).

My first bike was a Defy 1 (2013) - used the SKS band on mudguards with no problem (the ones that don't pass under the calipers). My mate has it now - still going strong.

I upgraded to Defy Adv Pro 1 which I now use in the summer only. (CAADX all through the winter).

photonic69

Bungalballs wrote:

Then have a look at something like a Pinnacle Arkose for the commute. They have hydro brakes and loads of clearance for guards, also rack mounts etc. Extra £100 off if you trade in your Fuji at the minute.

I'm liking the look of the Tiagra Pinnacle Arkrose from Evans for £999. Plus I can get £100 with my old MTB as trade-in. I'd sell it anyway so that saves the effort. Doubt I'd get £100 for it anyway. I can probably use the £100 for mudguards and some slicker tyres.

Matthewfalle

Wheelspinner wrote:

PhotoNic69 wrote:

Matthewfalle wrote:

n+1

Oh, indeed! I do like the idea of "n+1", however in my universe "n = (n+1) + (n-1)"

We simply have no more room for bikes! We have 6 in our household already.

You need a new house then.

this.

mf has 8 in the garage with 6 more in the loft.

n+1

Camcycle1974

Matthewfalle wrote:

Wheelspinner wrote:

PhotoNic69 wrote:

Matthewfalle wrote:

n+1

Oh, indeed! I do like the idea of "n+1", however in my universe "n = (n+1) + (n-1)"

We simply have no more room for bikes! We have 6 in our household already.

You need a new house then.

this.

mf has 8 in the garage with 6 more in the loft.

n+1

I shall use this post as proof to my wife that 4 roadbikes plus a mountain bike is not excessive.

Matthewfalle

Camcycle1974 wrote:

Matthewfalle wrote:

Wheelspinner wrote:

PhotoNic69 wrote:

Matthewfalle wrote:

n+1

Oh, indeed! I do like the idea of "n+1", however in my universe "n = (n+1) + (n-1)"

We simply have no more room for bikes! We have 6 in our household already.

You need a new house then.

this.

mf has 8 in the garage with 6 more in the loft.

n+1

I shall use this post as proof to my wife that 4 roadbikes plus a mountain bike is not excessive.

5 bikes.That is just a start my man.

You neeeeeeed:

N1 with full red, deep rim tubs, yada yada. Racing, training, commuting, going away on, posing. Same as all bikes are used for.
N2 for when you fancy a change with full D/A, deep rim tubs, yada yada
N3 that you’re not really that bothered about but is still a top of the range carbon thing with 11 speed Ultegra, deep rim tubs, yada yada
Winter commuting bike with 11 speed Ultegra and deep rim clinchers
Crit bike with D/A and deep rim tubs
Cx bike. Also for work as MF instructs stuff and neeeeeeeeeeded this.
Single speeder (dropped bars, ali frame, 80mm carbon tubs). This one actually got out of hand.
Single speeder (steel frame, flat bars)
Retro ali framed mtb in perfect condition with knobblies
Slick shod retro ali mtb in perfect condition for cutting around with the Bambini and going to the pub
TT bike
Dirk
Peugeot steel frameset that old day you will use to annoy hipsters
Half built full carbon retro mtb in loft
Slick shod road geo mtb thing
Tatty very high end retro steel framed Italian bike that you’ll get around to sorting one day in loft but has full Chorus
Perfect condition Peugeot Premiere
A few frames and wheels and bars and group sets and saddles and all that jazz
Some other stuff knocking around and hidden at people’s houses and at work

Then the kids bikes (12 year old bambina’s mtb and Pinarello TT bike, bambino’s racer and mtb) and TDV’s bike plus a random other Pinarello that you’re not sure why it’s there or really what it’s doing there but as it’s not hurting anyone.....

All of these things just have to be immaculate at all times.

They all serve different purposes so TDV can’t moan too much. So long as it’s not piles of dirty non working rubbish then there can’t really be too much of an argument.

N+1

Matthewfalle

ADDENDUM

Forgot about the apeugeot Vitus thing that graced this parish a while ago.

Dirk is also the coolest bike that has ever been in this forum as well.

Camcycle1974

I did have 8 but sold 3. Did I do the wrong thing?! You forgot high end, custom geo steel, preferably Mercian, Rourke, or some other suitably British bespoke frame manufacturer. I have alu cx bike for commuting/winter training, Ti for training, vintage Italian steel just because its nice and nice light carbon for chain gangs etc. Vintage steel hard tail too but that sits in the shed. Think I have most of the bases covered.

Matthewfalle

Camcycle1974 wrote:

I did have 8 but sold 3. Did I do the wrong thing?! You forgot high end, custom geo steel, preferably Mercian, Rourke, or some other suitably British bespoke frame manufacturer. I have alu cx bike for commuting/winter training, Ti for training, vintage Italian steel just because its nice and nice light carbon for chain gangs etc. Vintage steel hard tail too but that sits in the shed. Think I have most of the bases covered.

You can't sell stuff dude - it's just wrong.

4 things you should never, ever get rid of:

Bicycles
Motorbikes
Tools
Porn

Anything else - family, houses, whatever - you can replace.

I suggest you buy another 3 bikes to make up for your mistake.

Camcycle1974

I will tell my wife my intentions forthwith, at which point I will be free of a family anyway and able to buy bikes with impunity.

Matthewfalle

Camcycle1974 wrote:

I will tell my wife my intentions forthwith, at which point I will be free of a family anyway and able to buy bikes with impunity.

Excellent. Life sans chores and nagging but with a plethora of bicycles. Makes sense to MF.

dstev55

The last few posts of this thread make me cringe. Think I need a sick bucket whilst browsing this forum going forward.

wotnoshoeseh

PhotoNic69 wrote:

Oh, indeed! I do like the idea of "n+1", however in my universe "n = (n+1) + (n-1)"

Rules of simple algebra would say then n = 2n???
Sounds good to me!!

Camcycle1974

dstev55 wrote:

The last few posts of this thread make me cringe. Think I need a sick bucket whilst browsing this forum going forward.

Why, have you had a recent sense of humour bypass?

dstev55

Camcycle1974 wrote:

dstev55 wrote:

The last few posts of this thread make me cringe. Think I need a sick bucket whilst browsing this forum going forward.

Why, have you had a recent sense of humour bypass?

Must have. Wasn't referring to any of your posts in all honesty.

Camcycle1974

OK, fair enough. It does read a little cringey having re read the thread and doesn't help the op much with his quandary!

bungalballs

OP, how did you get on, did you try an Arkose?

I bought one in spring and have been very happy.

photonic69

wotnoshoeseh wrote:

PhotoNic69 wrote:

Oh, indeed! I do like the idea of "n+1", however in my universe "n = (n+1) + (n-1)"

Rules of simple algebra would say then n = 2n???
Sounds good to me!!

Precisely!! I have space for 2 bikes. My current "summer" bike and a commuter/winter bike. This is why I will need to get rid of my MTB / Commuter and replace with new bike. I hardly ever use the MTB as an MTB though I did go out on it a few days back and did a lot of X-country riding. It was fun and exciting and terrifying but I still think I'd rather a winter road bike as it would get more use.

photonic69

Bungalballs wrote:

OP, how did you get on, did you try an Arkose?

I bought one in spring and have been very happy.

I'm going to cycle over to my nearest Evans on Monday to have a look. I think I'll go for the Arkose 2 as a) Prefer the colour b) It's a little cheaper c) Tiagra is perfectly sufficient d) Spend the difference in updating my Defy to Tiagra/105 over the winter.

Downside is they have no stock until October. I'll check to see if they have the "3" in stock as the frame is the same so I can view the quality etc.

photonic69

I got a Felt VR30 in the end which I absolutely love. Ticks all the right boxes for me. So much so I haven't ridden my summer bike (Giant) since getting it!

105/hydraulic discs/28 tyres/full mudguards etc.