Best value mid range frameset

andyh01

So looking for a replacement primarily for commuting, where I spend most time riding these days, but I still want a nice bike to do the odd event and club rides etc . For Tyres are 25mm, with plenty of clearance for wider rubber. the previous bike was a Mason Bokeh.
Main requirements are mud guard's rack mounts and wide tyre clearance, ideally option to run 650B. This time around I think I want something lighter and aero.
My take as always been get the best frameset possible and then upgrade components over time as they wear out if needed.
So far candidates are
Trek checkpoint
Specialized diverge
Cannondale topstone
Kenisis Tripster
Enigma/J. Laverick J.ack
Other

Some of them have options of different carbon fiber layer up (diverge 8 or 9) as well as aluminium versions.
Is the higher end branded carbon worth it ie like on the Diverge comp (9cf) v the team (8cf) , are lower tiered open mould copies unbranded/in house "just as good" these days, thinking likes of planet x?
Is CF frame suitable for commuting, I understood they can be delicate if dropped/crashed depending on frequency and where, like if hit with a hammer can crack and can't always see if cracked.
Likewise with tritium is there much difference in quality between them ? A seven or Moots is outside budget but I may stretch to something like the J.ack or Enigma over something like the planet x tempest but then again like last time, a higher end aluminium could be better quality over cheaper Ti/CF...
So what be a good mid range best value that meet my needs.
Out the one's listed nd which model would you go for?

Likewise with group sets, I'm not convinced that Shimano GPX is good. I've only ever had Shimano 105 then ultegra hydraulic disc with a clutched rear derailleur. I'm now thinking of moving to SRAM either Force or Red as seem better value and I understand the rear clutch is hydraulic, so which SRAM level is equivalent/better than Shimano ultegra hydraulic disc?

singleton

There's been a few threads recently about people looking for a replacement for a Bokeh - are they all from you?

I can answer the last bit - SRAM Force is on a par with Ultegra, and SRAM Rival is on a par with 105.

I've had experience of 105, Ultegra and force and TBH there wasn't much between them.
Force is a bit more positive shift whereas Shimano are smoother - but other than that it's just a question of whether you like the different shift mechanism using a single level instead of 2.

Bikeauthority.cc

It feels that you have some decisions to make based on your thoughts above. As always with these questions there is so much relevant detail that isn't known by the reader. I'll do the best I can to point you in the right direction.

Unless your commute is horrifically long then aero and light are really not important features. You also won't find a proper aero frame with mudguard and rack mounts. You can of course buy some aero bits and bobs for nearly any frame which will offer you a good chunk of the performance gains.

No frame for your purpose will be seriously light but you can compensate with some well researched parts. If weight is important I'd steer you towards carbon as a frame material. I'd only really recommend Ti if this a bike for life or you have a hankering for a metal bike. Metal frames are perhaps slightly more resilient however a dent is still a weakness to the tube so I wouldn't be hitting any of them with a hammer.

You seem to have a misunderstanding about open mould frames. You do get copies but frames from the likes of Planet X are not copies, they are simply a mould that is available to buy. The free ranger, as an example, is a frame used by many many manufacturers. If you know what you are buying then Open mould China frames can make very good bikes for not a lot of money but I'd suggest a lot of research of find someone that knows.

Groupsets are very much personal preference, they all work.

I'd suggest settle on a budget, set your priorities for use and decide on a frame material

davidof

Commuting? I wouldn't spend more than 50 quid.

darrell1967

davidof said:

Commuting? I wouldn't spend more than 50 quid.

Why?

joeyhalloran

davidof said:

Commuting? I wouldn't spend more than 50 quid.

Depends how long the commute is, mine used to be 25 miles each way so worth having a nice bike, and I could keep it in the office.

But certainly for a short commute its less mental stress about theft and maintenance on an old hack bike.

veronese68

Depends on where you keep the bike as well. Mine is in the warehouse well away from the doors, but I still lock it. If it was kept outside on the street i'd ride a cheaper bike to work.

carbonclem

I’ve used second hand bikes for commuting and currently use a bike which was my ‘best’ bike ten years ago , it then became my winter/training bike, now it’s final shift is a commuter.

I’m aware of the irony that the bike I use the most, needs to be reliable and able to cope with harshest conditions is the one lashed up from all the bits I have left over

darrell1967

I’ve had a couple of commuters stolen, 1 X Specialized and 1 X Dolan.
On both occasions I took my eye off the ball.

I commute 50 miles a day in and out of central London and so I need something comfortable, reliable and safe.

I’ve just bought a Pinarello FP1 for £370 and it’s perfect for the commute so the Boardman Air is off into the loft for the winter.

davidof

joeyhalloran said:

davidof said:

Commuting? I wouldn't spend more than 50 quid.

Depends how long the commute is, mine used to be 25 miles each way so worth having a nice bike, and I could keep it in the office.

But certainly for a short commute its less mental stress about theft and maintenance on an old hack bike.

There's that and also winter commutes on salty roads with filth everywhere. My commute is 8 miles so a bit easier than 25 (I couldn't do that every day tbh). I use a cheap racing bike I got second hand.