Frame vs Wheels vs Groupset
Discussion
Hopefully I will have myself a shiny new carbon steed soon but as usual my budget doesn't quite get me what I want.
I have roughly £1300 to play with for a road bike that I will use for weekend rides and a 27 mile each way training/commute run.
I like my bikes to feel fast and racy and to have a feel that will encourage me to push on.
Top of my list currently is a Planet X carbon SL with Ultegra groupset for £1300, no other manufacturer can come close at this price point but would I be compromising on frame quality in relation to other parts?
So, Planet X with Ultegra vs Trek (or similar) with I would imagine 105 if I was lucky.
I have roughly £1300 to play with for a road bike that I will use for weekend rides and a 27 mile each way training/commute run.
I like my bikes to feel fast and racy and to have a feel that will encourage me to push on.
Top of my list currently is a Planet X carbon SL with Ultegra groupset for £1300, no other manufacturer can come close at this price point but would I be compromising on frame quality in relation to other parts?
So, Planet X with Ultegra vs Trek (or similar) with I would imagine 105 if I was lucky.
Does it have to be carbon? If you want stiff, responsive and lively have you considered a Cannondale CAAD9?
I test rode a few cheaper carbon bikes in the £1000 to £1500 range (but not the Planet X) and took the CAAD9 105 instead and couldn't be happier. Cycling Plus did a recent review with the CAAD9 Tiagra model and it beat the Planet X carbon with Ultegra which was a surprise.
The frame is really good and I'm planning on upgrading the 105 groupset to DuraAce when I can afford it, along with a nice set of wheels.
As always, your mileage may vary. Test ride as many in your budget as you can
I test rode a few cheaper carbon bikes in the £1000 to £1500 range (but not the Planet X) and took the CAAD9 105 instead and couldn't be happier. Cycling Plus did a recent review with the CAAD9 Tiagra model and it beat the Planet X carbon with Ultegra which was a surprise.
The frame is really good and I'm planning on upgrading the 105 groupset to DuraAce when I can afford it, along with a nice set of wheels.
As always, your mileage may vary. Test ride as many in your budget as you can
None of them.
Pick by Fit and geometry first.
Which then dictates what frame you buy, or at least which ones are suitable candidates.
Then choose wheels and group to suit budget - wheels over Groupset probably as a groupset consists of more, smaller items which wear out and are more easily replaced.
Pick by Fit and geometry first.
Which then dictates what frame you buy, or at least which ones are suitable candidates.
Then choose wheels and group to suit budget - wheels over Groupset probably as a groupset consists of more, smaller items which wear out and are more easily replaced.
snotrag said:
None of them.
Pick by Fit and geometry first.
Which then dictates what frame you buy, or at least which ones are suitable candidates.
Then choose wheels and group to suit budget - wheels over Groupset probably as a groupset consists of more, smaller items which wear out and are more easily replaced.
Well I've had a quick bash on the Planet X, Madone and Spesh Roubaix and I'm pretty sure I would happy with them all.Pick by Fit and geometry first.
Which then dictates what frame you buy, or at least which ones are suitable candidates.
Then choose wheels and group to suit budget - wheels over Groupset probably as a groupset consists of more, smaller items which wear out and are more easily replaced.
If I was buying an MTB I certainly wouldn't drop below XT level but road bikes seem far more forgiving of a lesser group.
All very different rides there. Roubaix for comfort as the head tube is higher but as mentioned above best to get a proper fit and then decide.
Nothing wrong with Planet-X at all they're very good. Lots swear by Boardman Comp too.
Personally I'd pick the geometry to suit my riding then go from there.
What will the weekend rides consist of and what sort of height, build are you? long legged? long bodied?
Nothing wrong with Planet-X at all they're very good. Lots swear by Boardman Comp too.
Personally I'd pick the geometry to suit my riding then go from there.
What will the weekend rides consist of and what sort of height, build are you? long legged? long bodied?
dubbs said:
All very different rides there. Roubaix for comfort as the head tube is higher but as mentioned above best to get a proper fit and then decide.
Nothing wrong with Planet-X at all they're very good. Lots swear by Boardman Comp too.
Personally I'd pick the geometry to suit my riding then go from there.
What will the weekend rides consist of and what sort of height, build are you? long legged? long bodied?
Weekend ride will be a 40-50 miler but I tend to push as hard as I'm able, I don't think I would get on all that well with the Roubaix style of geometry.Nothing wrong with Planet-X at all they're very good. Lots swear by Boardman Comp too.
Personally I'd pick the geometry to suit my riding then go from there.
What will the weekend rides consist of and what sort of height, build are you? long legged? long bodied?
I'm 6'1 with a slightly longer back, I measured myself 'properly' and have a good idea of the geometry I need.
Nearest place to me for a bike fitting is over in Sheffield, can't remember the place but the bikes are a tad over my budget in terms of what components I'd be happy with.
if you go to www.ribblecycles.co.uk you can use the bike builder to spec a bike out to whatever you choose. sounds like one of their sportive frames with ultegra for £1300 or go for 105 (only marginal increase in weight, no difference in shifting) and get some nicer wheels... some fulcrum 7s would be an extra £50
when they get some stock the 2010 focus cayo from wiggle is well worth a look too, carbon frame and forks, 105 and fulcrum 7s
also have a look at www.dolanbikes.com where a mythos should be around your price range.
got to say that the boardman road pro carbon looks awesome on paper and in the flesh too
basically, there are loads of bikes out there that offer better vfm than the likes of trek and specialized but as you dont see them on le tour, they get ignored, buy a copy of cycling weekly and have a look...
when they get some stock the 2010 focus cayo from wiggle is well worth a look too, carbon frame and forks, 105 and fulcrum 7s
also have a look at www.dolanbikes.com where a mythos should be around your price range.
got to say that the boardman road pro carbon looks awesome on paper and in the flesh too
basically, there are loads of bikes out there that offer better vfm than the likes of trek and specialized but as you dont see them on le tour, they get ignored, buy a copy of cycling weekly and have a look...
Nick_F said:
I like carbon, but how many times a week are you going to be doing that commute? If the mileage is going to be mega then Ti might be your best option.
CRC are selling the 6600 Ultegra groupset for £450 at the moment, but 105 would be plenty good enough.
From whenever the weather gets decent around March time I'll be doing 27 miles one way each day*** then once my fitness is back up I'll hopefully be doing the round trip at least four times a week until the end of August when I bugger off to the south atlantic.CRC are selling the 6600 Ultegra groupset for £450 at the moment, but 105 would be plenty good enough.
Ti would be a very nice option but both Planet X & Van Nicholas Ti sems to be coming in at just under £2K.
- * To start with I'll take the bike in the car one day, cycle home. Cycle in next day, drive home etc etc.
Nick_F said:
Nope. But there's a very positive review of the Van Nicholas Mistral in this month's 220: £1,445 for a Ti frame and 105 groupset...
Very interesting!I had a look at the Merida yesterday, very nice bike and I've been offered a very good deal on last years Scultura, it seemed to fit me well so I may very well go for it. I'm going back mid-week for a test ride on the carbon version so hopefully I will get on with it.
Van Nicholas does look nice but I'm starting to look to buying from an LBS which the Merida will let me do and going by the description of carbon vs ti I think I will prefer the ride of carbon.
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