So, for under £1000...Opinions on These Please?

[dr_gn]

I'm looking at getting a road bike to be able get out more (mountain biking means packing the car up and driving somewhere). I've been using my full sus bike for doing some road rides from home, but it's not really suitable.

Planet-X are close by, and seem to be a good company who look after their customers. I was pointed in the direction these bikes by a colleague:

http://www.planetx.co.uk/i/q/CBPXSLPULT2/planet-x-...

or

http://www.planetx.co.uk/i/q/CBPXXLS105/planet-x-x...

I like the versatility of the cyclocross bike, but not the slight weight penalty and crap brakes (I'd never have a bike with Avids again if at all possible).

Are there any significant downsides to the road bike? Initially I'd be looking at c.20 mile rides and hopefully work up from there.

I'd like a carbon frame and decent components. I was considering a bike at half that price, but looking at it in the flesh the components looked cheap and nasty, and I'd rather just spend the money up front rather than upgrading.

All comments gratefully received.

[Uncle John]

You can't beat a Cyclo Cross as an all rounder so if you are looking to checkout the odd bridleway or venture through the fields then its the way to go.

If you are simply riding on the road then get the dedicated road bike.

[richardxjr]

I'd want to be able to put full guards on a CX bike personally. I would like to be nearer than about 300 miles from one of their shops though, to have a look at a good range of their stuff.

[GaryGlitter]

I've got a Pro Carbon (albeit with SRAM), been happy with it for 18 months and not had a single problem that wasn't user-error (head first dismount).

I've just replaced it with something else, would keep it but in my house n+1 = 2.

[lynus2004]

As mentioned it depends on the type of riding that you plan on doing, I have road bikes as well as a cross bike. When I choose to ride the cross bike on the road (bit icy or wet on a commute) it is a real chore compared to the road bike.

[Dixie]

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/cube-agree-gtc-...

Got to be worth a look if your the right size.

Only ever hear good things about Planet X. If your close by you should definitely pop into their showroom, you'll be hard pressed not to buy something!!

[dr_gn]

Thanks for the comments guys.

Dixie said:

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/cube-agree-gtc-...

Got to be worth a look if your the right size.

Only ever hear good things about Planet X. If your close by you should definitely pop into their showroom, you'll be hard pressed not to buy something!!

I've been to the Planet-X showroom a few times and they do have a bewildering array of hardware. They always seem to have good customer relations, and I've not heard anything bad about them.

[nammynake]

Don't discount aluminium frames. Carbon is often (wrongly) assumed to be superior.

[dr_gn]

nammynake said:

Don't discount aluminium frames. Carbon is often (wrongly) assumed to be superior.

Yeah but it looks great - that's the main thing.

[lufbramatt]

dr_gn said:

nammynake said:

Don't discount aluminium frames. Carbon is often (wrongly) assumed to be superior.

Yeah but it looks great - that's the main thing.

My dad has a carbon road bike, Felt Z35, so pretty decent by all accounts, I've ridden it a few times and every time has been a bit "meh". Just feel a bit dead and clattery. I've got this weird urge to buy a nice Reynolds tubed steel road bike. Did a 100 miler on a borrowed ancient Bob Jackson Reynolds 853 framed thing a couple of years back, complete with non-indexed shifters on the down tube and lovely old campag gears and it was an absolute joy to ride- responsive, smooth and accurate.

[nammynake]

dr_gn said:

Yeah but it looks great - that's the main thing.

Both of those PlanetX bikes are indeed good value for money. Looks are obviously subjective. My main point was that people automatically assume carbon bike = great, which in many cases is not true (low quality carbon and cheap parts).

[dr_gn]

nammynake said:

dr_gn said:

Yeah but it looks great - that's the main thing.

Both of those PlanetX bikes are indeed good value for money. Looks are obviously subjective. My main point was that people automatically assume carbon bike = great, which in many cases is not true (low quality carbon and cheap parts).

I take your point, and I was being a bit flippant. I've had carbon components on mountain bikes previously (forks, bars, seatpost etc.), and they're been great in both function and looks.

Here's where I'm at: I want decent spec. components, and the lightest weight I can get. This is what puts me off the cyclocross bike - it's a bit of a compromise on both.

I do like the look of carbon (obviously it has to be of decent quality), and I do apperciate things looking right as well as performing well. It's maybe a completely daft attitude to have, and it's perhaps not the done thing to write it 'out loud' in front of the hardcore bikers out there, but if a bike looks right I'm more likely to ride it than if it just feels right...

[Jimbo.]

dr_gn said:

Yeah but it looks great - that's the main thing.

notsureifserious.jog

You don't need carbon. Esp. for just starting out which, if you're aiming for 20 miles, I gather you are. Nor should you worry about any "slight" weight differences. Buy what suits your needs and suits you.

[dr_gn]

Jimbo. said:

dr_gn said:

Yeah but it looks great - that's the main thing.

notsureifserious.jog

You don't need carbon. Esp. for just starting out which, if you're aiming for 20 miles, I gather you are. Nor should you worry about any "slight" weight differences. Buy what suits your needs and suits you.

See previous posts: Sure I'm serious, there are many, many things I don't need, but I've got them because I like them. Same as pretty much anyone I guess.

[Dixie]

Wright wise I dare say the PX will trump most things at the price point.

Might be worth taking a look at Canyon. You might not get a carbon frame but you'll end up with a very decent spec.

[GaryGlitter]

£999.95 appears to be the starting point for carbon fibre and decent components, hence why I ended up with a PX (local so I could touch and feel first).

£1300+ gets a carbon frame with a bit more tech & design and some very decent components, hence why I now also have a Focus with SRAM Force and Ksyriums. Damn budget creep!

[richardxjr]

If you do go for a ProCarbon (and I would if I could get to a store to check 'em out for fit and finish) pay the few quid extra for their AL30 wheelset and Lithion2 tyres.