Carbon Frame with Tiagra or Alloy with 105

Unfortunately money restrictions are making me choose between them. What would you recommend?
Its not going to be used for racing but it will be used for some good long rides out and used daily for commuting.
Its not going to be used for racing but it will be used for some good long rides out and used daily for commuting.
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You can get comfortable Alloy bikes and the same for carbon so no easy answer there either. Why not choose the bike that feels more comfortable to ride? If they feel the same the choose the nicest looking one, if they look the same then choose the cheapest one.
That is all that really matters!
However, some carbon frames don't have attachments at the ends of the forks and stays for mudguards and panniers and things, so that affects your options in terms of attachments. If you're going to be commuting and need to carry stuff, you might want to look into that.
So carbon with Tiagra would be the way to go. Besides, Tiagra is a pretty good, soild groupset, underrated in my opinion.
I regret spec'ing my new bike with Ultegra, I wish I stuck to 105 and spent the money elsewhere, wheels possibly.
I would go with the best frame, that's the thing you will notice for the whole period of your ride, you only spend a few seconds changing the gears. I don't mean best frame as in 'the carbon one' either. Test ride both bikes and get the one that feels the nicest to ride and fits you. You can also 'upgrade' your groupset at a later stage, when parts wear. Doing this will be cheaper than buying a new frame, or even a new bike.
It's an expensive mistake to make. Start with a test ride and take it from there is the bottom line.
Oh, and I had a test ride of a DA equipped 2012 CAAD10 when I was looking last year. It was fooking awful compared to my 5 year old Scott CR1, equipped with 105 and significantly heavier Mavic Ksyrium Equipe wheels. So, it's not always as clear cut as looking at the spec on paper.
As people have already stated, components tend to wear out and by that point you may be after higher spec components. Don't sacrifice components for frame. Always go for best frame possible!
Even if it's a rubbish carbon frame versus a decent aluminium one? This is poor advice if you ask me (I'm not saying anything about the Ribble, just that as general advice, saying that carbon is always better than aluminium is misguided).
+1.
CAAD 10 frame is well known to out perform many carbon frames of a similar budget.
But to the OP the GF frame is fine and IMO better than the 7046. I would personally also have the GF over the Defy.
There is a difference between 105 and Ultegra, without a doubt. Ive had and used both and theres no denying 105 is good but Ultegra isnt used on the semi-pro circuit for nothing, shifting is a lot smoother/quicker than 105.
Thats true, but what makes a cheap alu frame better than a cheap carbon one? Just because alu has been around longer it doesnt mean a basic alu is better than a cheap carbon.
Outperform in what way? :?:
http://www.bikeradar.com/gear/category/ ... 5-12-45526
The review headline alone says it all. "Fast, fun, and beats most carbon bikes at this price for performance"
Im just ribbing you Smids, i know you like your Cannondales
Anyway, isnt the Cannondale Supersix like £1200 at the mo in some places? Shame the op cant stretch the budget a few hundred quid.
It all depends on the particular frame, obviously, and that goes for both aluminium and carbon. But given that aluminium tends to be a cheaper choice than carbon, you might expect better value for money out of aluminium. The price of the CAAD frames is close to that of bottom-of-the-range carbon options.
Bike radar reviews are notorious for inconsistency.
http://www.bikeradar.com/gear/category/ ... 1-12-45849
Anyway I'm right and you're wrong
Carbon frames have been available for awhile and have got cheaper and are better value for money then they were. Plenty of people are very happy with their Planet X, Ribble and Chinese frames
I'm sure they have, but have those frames won a Grand Tour? :P