Twist, stick, or fold?

s_j_pwmb

I have a dilemma! It’s cycle to work sign-up time, and this year work has increased the spend limit to £3,000. There are some reasonable bikes available (Cannondale Synapse Ultegra if I want some adventure, Giant Propel Advanced Pro 2 if I want to go aero, Giant TCR Advanced Pro 2, Lapierre Xelius if I fancy something pretty, Specialised Tarmac Comp, the list goes on) but I’m not convinced by any of them.

There are things which put me off each bike, such as the Giant’s have Shimano 105, most weigh-in at 8.5 kg or more, there will be incompatibility in parts which is a pain for a n+1 bike (disc vs. rim brakes, QR vs. thru-axel, seat-post size/shape, BB spec to name but a few)

My current steed to a heavily upgraded Boardman Team Carbon Road from 2017 (the black and yellow one), the only original parts are the fork/frame, headset, and stem. Spec for info is below. It’s comfortable, weighs in at 7.44kg, has low gearing for the hills, and has done what I need for the last 17,534 km according to Strava.

What doesn’t it do? Well, I like the idea of adventure riding but being in the built up south east true adventure rides are few and far between. I’d like something aero, but I’m far less aero than the bike and a bike-fit would probably prove more useful. I’d like something lighter on the hills (and we have a few), but my Boardman is already pretty lightweight. I’d like something which isn’t so low-rent as a Halfords bike, but that’s just vain. I’d like disc brakes, but I rarely have an issue with the rim brakes not being good enough.

I know there are a million right and wrong answers, but what are people’s thoughts?
1). For £3k will I notice a significant improvement over the low-budget but finely honed Boardman which is set-up just the way I like it?
2). Should I ignore trying to buy-better and instead buy different and go for the Propel or Synapse?
3). Or should I instead invest in a new set of aero wheels (I’m tempted by Hunt wheels 3550 set), a bike-fit, and possibly a power meter, or should I just go out (after lockdown) and ride and spend the money on coffee and cake stops?

Thanks for taking the time to read and help in my beautiful dilemma!

Steve.

My current upgraded parts include....
3T Ergonova 44cm carbon bars (light, mildly aero shape, internal routing)
Fizik Aliante K3 Kium-railed saddle (light and comfy)
Richey Superlogic carbon seatpost (supremely light, compliant and comfy)
Shimano Ultegra R8000 shifters, front and rear deraillers, and wide-range 11-34 cassette (hills!)
Ultegra brakes with Swisstop pads (big improvement over OE brakes)
SRAM Red carbon compact crankset (light as any, and stealth-black)
KMC gold SL chain (for no good reason)
Mavic Ksyrium Elite tubeless wheels with Schwalbe Pro One tyres (light and stiff)
Wheels Manufacturing angular-contact replacement PF30 BB
Shimano XTR SPD pedals

Darius_Jedburgh

No disrespect but I get the impression that you will never be happy with what you have. The other man's grass and all that.

DeVlaeminck

Even buying carbon wheels, you'll get more speed but will they brake as well, will the ride feel as good etc? The rational thing to do is save your money and enjoy the bike you have.

kingstongraham

It’s comfortable

Key thing about your current bike. I'm still riding the same bike from 2011 because it's comfortable. Enjoy the riding, not the owning.

veronese68

I agree with all of the above, no point in changing just for the sake of it.

joe_totale-2

If you want a new bike I'd get something that does something different.
I'd be looking at a gravel/winter bike that would happily ride off the beaten track or even a full on mountain bike.
That budget could get you a Titanium gravel bike from somewhere like Planet X and you'd still have plenty left over.
Or you could get the frame from there and build it up how you'd like, a little project would be a nice way to see through the lockdown.

Another road or aero bike will not feel that much different to what you already have.

lesfirth

Ride the bike you have and keep your cash in your pocket. Over the winter there will be some fantastic used bike bargains. Particularly if you are spending 2/3 grand.

s_j_pwmb

It seems the consensus is to stick with what I have!

FrankYates you’re spot on, I’m never truly satisfied and always think “what if I just change this...”

Perhaps now is the time to enjoy the ride and not blow a whole load of money on something I don’t want or need, and that includes wheels and power meters.

I think I may do the bike fit though, that may be an excuse to replace that original stem 😉

Longshot

The Synapse isn't an "adventure" bike particularly. It's an endurance bike. Like most it will do a certain amount of non-tarmac stuff but how well largely depends on how you spec it in terms of tyres, etc.

I bought mine as a pure road bike and it does that job very well.

singleton

Buy a new bike when you're sure what you want.
Take the time to be honest about what you want and what you would like to change / improve with your current bike.