Is it worth the money getting a new bike?
Discussion
Whilst I appreciate that this is probably a slightly silly question on this forum (since the default answer on the n + 1 basis will always be yes!) I'd appreciate some advice.
I've currently got a Boardman CX bike that I bought a couple of years ago for £600. I've been doing most of my cycling recently on-road so have been thinking about getting a road bike too. Budget would also be about £600 and I'm just wondering whether people think I'll see any real performance/speed improvements on the road bike compared to me CX?
Or should I think about spending on upgrading what I've already got?
My current rides are around 30-55km, averaging about 26/27kph, at the end of which, I'm usually pretty knackered.
I've currently got a Boardman CX bike that I bought a couple of years ago for £600. I've been doing most of my cycling recently on-road so have been thinking about getting a road bike too. Budget would also be about £600 and I'm just wondering whether people think I'll see any real performance/speed improvements on the road bike compared to me CX?
Or should I think about spending on upgrading what I've already got?
My current rides are around 30-55km, averaging about 26/27kph, at the end of which, I'm usually pretty knackered.
I have a Boardman CX which I bought at New Year.
Realised the treaded tyres were sapping my energy so stuck a set of slicks on and it transformed the bike. I do like it but I've felt it's been a bit on the small side for me.
Didn't stop me buying a full carbon road bike last week but I haven't ridden that enough to gauge the difference yet.
Realised the treaded tyres were sapping my energy so stuck a set of slicks on and it transformed the bike. I do like it but I've felt it's been a bit on the small side for me.
Didn't stop me buying a full carbon road bike last week but I haven't ridden that enough to gauge the difference yet.
Thanks for all the responses guys. Part of me thinks a new set of wheels/tyres for the CX is worth a punt. I put Schwalbe Marathon tyres on it earlier this year as I was sick of keep getting punctures and I'm sure that hasn't helped the performance. However, they are good for my work commute in crappy weather and I don't know if I can be bothered messing around with swapping wheels depending on the journey/weather.
The cycle to work scheme at my company is just about to open for this year and I'm tempted by this Specialized Allez which I can effectively get for about £400 with the tax saving.
http://www.hargrovescycles.co.uk/bikes/road-bikes/...
Decisions, decisions...
The cycle to work scheme at my company is just about to open for this year and I'm tempted by this Specialized Allez which I can effectively get for about £400 with the tax saving.
http://www.hargrovescycles.co.uk/bikes/road-bikes/...
Decisions, decisions...
On the same tyres, with the same riding position, I highly doubt there'd be any measurable real world difference between an Allez and the CX.
I have a Boardman CX with the Kinesis CX wheelset and a Focus Cayo 3.0 Disc and whilst the difference in ride and rigidity is noticeable, the difference in speed (on the same tyres) is not obvious.
New bikes are nice though and it can be useful to have one setup for poor weather.
I have a Boardman CX with the Kinesis CX wheelset and a Focus Cayo 3.0 Disc and whilst the difference in ride and rigidity is noticeable, the difference in speed (on the same tyres) is not obvious.
New bikes are nice though and it can be useful to have one setup for poor weather.
Beyond Rational said:
New bikes are nice though and it can be useful to have one setup for poor weather.
This perspective has won out in the end! I've put a deposit down on the Specialized and now just have to sort out getting the voucher through my cycle to work scheme. I have had to promise my wife that I won't buy any more bikes now though. For the moment anyway...lauda said:
The cycle to work scheme at my company is just about to open for this year and I'm tempted by this Specialized Allez which I can effectively get for about £400 with the tax saving.
http://www.hargrovescycles.co.uk/bikes/road-bikes/...
Decisions, decisions...
Have a look here...http://www.hargrovescycles.co.uk/bikes/road-bikes/...
Decisions, decisions...
http://www.paulscycles.co.uk/m7b0s6p0/Road-Bikes/R...
Beyond Rational said:
New bikes are nice though and it can be useful to have one setup for poor weather.
I like to have an old bike set up for all conditions and this is the commuter that gets the abuse in the bad weatehr. If it gets covered in salt and the ally goes crusty, heigh ho. The one remaining original moving part (a front mech)has survived 20 years, it will probably do the same again even if I may not.battered said:
Beyond Rational said:
New bikes are nice though and it can be useful to have one setup for poor weather.
I like to have an old bike set up for all conditions and this is the commuter that gets the abuse in the bad weatehr. If it gets covered in salt and the ally goes crusty, heigh ho. The one remaining original moving part (a front mech)has survived 20 years, it will probably do the same again even if I may not.Alongside those two nickable bikes I'll keep my trashed old Spesh for pub runs/local use. It's always good to have one you can lock and forget.
So, retuning to answer my own question.
Picked up my new Specialized Allez Elite at the weekend. Managed a couple of rides now and my average speeds have been no higher than on my Boardman CX! I'm currently blaming adverse riding conditions (first ride was less than a week after a marathon and the second was on a very breezy day).
But I don't care as it looks great and it's got carbon forks so it must be better, right...?
Picked up my new Specialized Allez Elite at the weekend. Managed a couple of rides now and my average speeds have been no higher than on my Boardman CX! I'm currently blaming adverse riding conditions (first ride was less than a week after a marathon and the second was on a very breezy day).
But I don't care as it looks great and it's got carbon forks so it must be better, right...?
I'm not surprised by this at all. CX bikes are designed for racing so normally have a fairly aggressive geometry. Stick some decent wheels/tyres on one and they can be super fast bikes on the flat. There's a guy round here who has something like 500 (road) KOMs, all on a CX bike.
What makes a bike fast (other than the rider)? Mainly geometry (provided the bike is fitted to you) and to a lesser extent wheels. Frame profile and tyres make a difference too, but not as much. Weight and drivetrain make virtually no difference unless you are climbing.
What you have bought is a an entry level road bike (with a premium charged for carbon forks and Tiara gears, neither of which will make you faster), with I imagine a not dissimilar geometary or frame profile to your CX bike. The Allez should in theory be slightly faster based purely on tyres, but I don't think you'll see a huge gain - hence not noticing any difference when your legs were fatigued or when the weather was crap. Maybe when you're fresh and on a good day you'll be quicker.
However, if you'd spent that money on some used deeper section wheels and fast tyres, you'd have seen a MUCH more noticeable gain.
What makes a bike fast (other than the rider)? Mainly geometry (provided the bike is fitted to you) and to a lesser extent wheels. Frame profile and tyres make a difference too, but not as much. Weight and drivetrain make virtually no difference unless you are climbing.
What you have bought is a an entry level road bike (with a premium charged for carbon forks and Tiara gears, neither of which will make you faster), with I imagine a not dissimilar geometary or frame profile to your CX bike. The Allez should in theory be slightly faster based purely on tyres, but I don't think you'll see a huge gain - hence not noticing any difference when your legs were fatigued or when the weather was crap. Maybe when you're fresh and on a good day you'll be quicker.
However, if you'd spent that money on some used deeper section wheels and fast tyres, you'd have seen a MUCH more noticeable gain.
lauda said:
So, retuning to answer my own question.
Picked up my new Specialized Allez Elite at the weekend. Managed a couple of rides now and my average speeds have been no higher than on my Boardman CX! I'm currently blaming adverse riding conditions (first ride was less than a week after a marathon and the second was on a very breezy day).
But I don't care as it looks great and it's got carbon forks so it must be better, right...?
Like you I didn't notice any immediate difference in performance from my CX but over the weeks I have increased my average speed over certain distances by a few mph in some cases. I know I couldn't do that on the CX. I do think there's an element of getting used to the new bike too because in my case at least the bikes handle very differently which was unexpected. Picked up my new Specialized Allez Elite at the weekend. Managed a couple of rides now and my average speeds have been no higher than on my Boardman CX! I'm currently blaming adverse riding conditions (first ride was less than a week after a marathon and the second was on a very breezy day).
But I don't care as it looks great and it's got carbon forks so it must be better, right...?
The main thing I've noticed is how much more comfortable the new bike is which makes a huge difference over long distances. I was still cruising at 21-22 mph on the flat after 100 miles at the weekend with no trouble which is remarkable for me!
lauda said:
So, retuning to answer my own question.
Picked up my new Specialized Allez Elite at the weekend. Managed a couple of rides now and my average speeds have been no higher than on my Boardman CX! I'm currently blaming adverse riding conditions (first ride was less than a week after a marathon and the second was on a very breezy day).
But I don't care as it looks great and it's got carbon forks so it must be better, right...?
Time of year as well, the temp drops (first thing at least) has meant my average has dropped a bit, less so by the afternoon, but noticeable first thing Picked up my new Specialized Allez Elite at the weekend. Managed a couple of rides now and my average speeds have been no higher than on my Boardman CX! I'm currently blaming adverse riding conditions (first ride was less than a week after a marathon and the second was on a very breezy day).
But I don't care as it looks great and it's got carbon forks so it must be better, right...?
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