Stick or N+1 for long bike trip?

[pembo]

I'm planning a long ride for my 30th in August (approx. 500 miles) and I'm stuck with a bit of a dilemma.

Should I stick with what I have (2013 Genesis Vapour) and upgrade/renew a few bits for the trip and training. Or should I take advantage of the cycle to work scheme again and get something new that I can use for the trip.

The budget is pretty tight as we are paying for a wedding at the moment so I'm thinking that replacing the wheels, cassette, BB, headset, cables and tyres is going to easily come to £250+ and going to eat up a load of training time or cost even more if I get the pros to do it.

However if I go for a new bike will I just end up with something which is about the same spec as what I already have? I've been looking at what is about around the £800 mark because the monthly C2W payment isn't too bad but I'm finding that most around that are Sora or at best Tiagra (which is what I have and would rather have the upgrade to 105 levers for long days in the saddle if possible). I can take advantage of the sales and buy it from wherever I like because I set our scheme up which is handy so if I should do this have you any suggestions?

[jamiebae]

I'd be inclined to buy myself a Genesis Equilibrium, you might find some of the '14 models around at lower prices still, or at a push go for a new Equlibrium 10 if you can up the C2W budget.

You can buy a 105 11 speed groupset for less than £300 so for me it would make sense to get a decent frame with cheaper gruppo, and upgrade to 105 when funds allow.

I'm a Genesis fanboy through and through, but an Equilibrium would be ideal for long fast rides so I'd struggle to look past that.

[anonymous-user]

pembo said:

I'm planning a long ride for my 30th in August (approx. 500 miles) and I'm stuck with a bit of a dilemma.

Should I stick with what I have (2013 Genesis Vapour) and upgrade/renew a few bits for the trip and training. Or should I take advantage of the cycle to work scheme again and get something new that I can use for the trip.

The budget is pretty tight as we are paying for a wedding at the moment so I'm thinking that replacing the wheels, cassette, BB, headset, cables and tyres is going to easily come to £250+ and going to eat up a load of training time or cost even more if I get the pros to do it.

However if I go for a new bike will I just end up with something which is about the same spec as what I already have? I've been looking at what is about around the £800 mark because the monthly C2W payment isn't too bad but I'm finding that most around that are Sora or at best Tiagra (which is what I have and would rather have the upgrade to 105 levers for long days in the saddle if possible). I can take advantage of the sales and buy it from wherever I like because I set our scheme up which is handy so if I should do this have you any suggestions?

I guess it depends how will the vapour fits and how many miles you will be doing a day but I'd say stick with the vapuor and dont waste your money.

You will not get a particularly great bike for £800 and despite the advantage of paying monthly, in a year or two you will just have another low spec bike. You would be better just saving to get something really special to replace the Vapour in due time, not buy something that is no better but just newer. Dont assume that upgrading from Sora/Tiagra to 105 will make a difference, it wont. Just keep saving till you can spec a bike with Ultegra for example where the differences are easily noticeable.

The parts you list should easily come in under £250, Fulcrum 7s (£120), 105 cassette (£25), FSA orbit headset (£25), cables (£25) and Pro race 3 tyres (£40), and you have given the bike a huge new lease of life. The new parts will make the vapour as good as new and a better bike than dropping £800 on the Equilibrium.

C2W is great for newbies, N+1 or impulse purchases but as most are limited to £1k, you wont ever get a really nice bike, if you only spend £250 now, you can spend £xxx later on a really nice bike.