Any point upgrading my road bike?
Discussion
I've been riding my Specialised Allez for a few years now and covered a decent amount of miles. I have upgraded quite a lot on it, including:
- 105 Group set
- Fulcrum Racing 5 wheels
- FSA Pro Wing Compact bars
- Lizard Skin bar tape
- 105 SPD-SL pedals
- GP4000s tyres
- Swisstop brake pads
Basically everything except the seat-post and stem!
I don't want to upgrade for the sake of it but I'm wondering if a carbon frame would give a better ride? Either I buy a new bike and keep this one for winter duties or I buy a carbon frame and transfer the parts.
A test ride from a shop isn't going to help as 5 minutes around a car park is all but useless.
Has anyone moved from a Aluminium frame to Carbon and seen a difference? I guess carbon will save some weight but presumably even 1kg off a bike isn't going to make much difference? I weight 63kg so proportionally 1kg is nothing.
- 105 Group set
- Fulcrum Racing 5 wheels
- FSA Pro Wing Compact bars
- Lizard Skin bar tape
- 105 SPD-SL pedals
- GP4000s tyres
- Swisstop brake pads
Basically everything except the seat-post and stem!
I don't want to upgrade for the sake of it but I'm wondering if a carbon frame would give a better ride? Either I buy a new bike and keep this one for winter duties or I buy a carbon frame and transfer the parts.
A test ride from a shop isn't going to help as 5 minutes around a car park is all but useless.
Has anyone moved from a Aluminium frame to Carbon and seen a difference? I guess carbon will save some weight but presumably even 1kg off a bike isn't going to make much difference? I weight 63kg so proportionally 1kg is nothing.
There is a lot more to carbon frames than saving weight as I'm sure you know, they can be easily manipulated in the design phase to induce comfort, stiffness or a nice combination of the two, to say nothing about profiling for aerodynamics etc. I'm sure you can do clever things with metals too but from my limited knowledge, the ability to design in these factors, and to an exact tolerance, to carbon frames is far greater than with a metal frame. You want comfort, look for thin, curved seat stays, you want stiffness, look for straight lines, short head tubes and bulked up bottom brackets...
I rode a BMC (i think it was a Gran Fondo) recently with the long seat stays and the weird looking rear drop outs, it was very plush but also just picked up immediately when you were out of the saddle sprinting on the drops, we didnt go near any real but I imagine it would climb well. Compare to the Canyon Aeroad I've also been fortunate enough to ride recently which was really harsh but bloody quick, probably just using a stiffness/speed:comfort ratio does them no justice but to my untrained eye, thats the best I can go with. I'd love a go on a Storck Aernario, reputedly the stiffest on the market at the moment, just to see what it was like.
The Allez is a good frame but not a great frame, I'd look for a nice stiff carbon frame which will make the most of your weight. You'll be amazed at the difference. Decide what matters most and what will compliment your riding, then go hunting based on budget.
the short answer is you need a new bike!
I rode a BMC (i think it was a Gran Fondo) recently with the long seat stays and the weird looking rear drop outs, it was very plush but also just picked up immediately when you were out of the saddle sprinting on the drops, we didnt go near any real but I imagine it would climb well. Compare to the Canyon Aeroad I've also been fortunate enough to ride recently which was really harsh but bloody quick, probably just using a stiffness/speed:comfort ratio does them no justice but to my untrained eye, thats the best I can go with. I'd love a go on a Storck Aernario, reputedly the stiffest on the market at the moment, just to see what it was like.
The Allez is a good frame but not a great frame, I'd look for a nice stiff carbon frame which will make the most of your weight. You'll be amazed at the difference. Decide what matters most and what will compliment your riding, then go hunting based on budget.
the short answer is you need a new bike!
Edited by anonymous-user on Monday 26th August 17:38
pablo said:
the short answer is you need a new bike!
This is what I feared!Edited by pablo on Monday 26th August 17:38
The Allez can be a bit uncomfortable at times on our cheap seal roads, but it is a road bike after all. I'm not sure how much comfort one can expect even on the best carbon frame.
I guess I'm just slightly nervous about spending a lot to 'upgrade' but then finding the difference is only marginal.
I went from an aluminum Boardman frame to the Cervelo. I appreciate thats a major jump given the price difference between the two but comparing the ride quality is like chalk and cheese, do loads of research and find one that really suits your riding but I guarantee, you will notice a difference and you wont be disappointed!.
Please don't mention Cervelo! I've been eyeing this up:
http://www.primera-sports.com/products/latest-prod...
http://www.primera-sports.com/products/latest-prod...
Thanks for the input guys. I think I'm going to get a new carbon bike, possibly the Cervelo above but with some better wheels.
I am fully expecting NO improvements to my speed, but as long as the bike is more comfortable and enjoyable to ride then I'll be happy. However if I manage even 1 second off my favourite local climb then I'll be attributing it to my new bike (not improved fitness of course
) - currently in the top 20 on this b
d:
http://app.strava.com/segments/1097296 - greenhow hill climb
I am fully expecting NO improvements to my speed, but as long as the bike is more comfortable and enjoyable to ride then I'll be happy. However if I manage even 1 second off my favourite local climb then I'll be attributing it to my new bike (not improved fitness of course
) - currently in the top 20 on this bd:http://app.strava.com/segments/1097296 - greenhow hill climb
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