Advice on bike needed

[Mercarcedes]

Hi everybody new to cycling and your forum, would apriciate some help currently riding forme vittesse road bike with 105 group set and doing Upto 40 mile rides for the last 7 months but keep seeing these carbon bikes out on rides do they really make a difference thinking about a cube agree race with ultegra or ribble gran fondo with campag centaur or shall I just upgrade wheels on my bike any thoughts

 

[MartinQ]

You've got a decent bike so an upgrade probably won't significantly improve things.
However, if you feel the need to n+1 ...

 

[MissyR]

Sounds like you have a descent enough bike already. I have a soft spot for the cube bikes though and they were high on list when bike shopping. Good frames and components for the £'s.

 

[vickster]

Not discernibly no. A tyre upgrade might be worthwhile for your current bike if you have money burning a hole

 

[Globalti]

Surprisingly stuffy advice from a forum full of people who love bikes!

Why don't you test-ride a couple of carbon bikes to see how they feel? Make sure the shop guys inflate the tyres to your usual pressure.

Sensible advice says keep what you've got but some modern carbon bikes are really thrilling to ride and you will find yourself taking any excuse to get out.

 

[BSRU]

The most important part of any bike is the engine, if your enjoying your current bike then why bother changing it.
New wheels can have a placebo effect, but If you want to change your bike then do it but don't just restrict yourself to just carbon.

 

[Drago]

It'll make you feel sexier, but won't make you any faster.

 

[Globalti]

The most important part of any bike is the engine, if your enjoying your current bike then why bother changing it.
New wheels can have a placebo effect, but If you want to change your bike then do it but don't just restrict yourself to just carbon.

I disagree that new wheels just have a placebo effect! I bought two pairs of very light Superstar Components wheels and gave a set to Gti Junior and another set to my regular buddy, an experienced cyclist, to try blind on his Tarmac fitted with the same tyres he uses at the same pressure. He was blown away by them and couldn't believe lighter, stiffer wheels could make so much difference. He bought them straight off me and is still loving them.

On changing from the Vitesse to a carbon bike; well-made alloy frames are very good indeed but a well-made carbon frame is even better. My belief is that beyond hydroforming, aluminium can't really evolve much further but reinforced plastics still have some way to go as manufacturers learn new techniques and new materials arrive on the scene. The current vogue for road cycling has been facilitated by smooth-riding carbon frames as well as comfortable handlebars and seats, easy gears, good brakes and great handling, making road cycling easier for the less experienced. Not only that but modern carbon bikes look beautiful and are flattering to ride so if the OP fancies upgrading to a carbon bike, why advise the poor chap to stick with what he's got? I say go for it; you'll love it. Just be sure to test a few and don't go falling in love with the first one you ride.

 

[vickster]

I'd get more miles under the belt before splashing out...40 mile rides for 7 months is early days really

But it's not my cash, get some test rides on carbon and spend if you want

 

[winjim]

Keep riding your current bike, get to know it, learn how it feels, identify its good and bad points, then you can make a decision about what needs changing etc.

You have a very good bike that deserves to be ridden. Assuming by "make a difference" you mean "is faster" then that's up to you and your fitness. Just keep riding .

 

[Mercarcedes]

Keep riding your current bike, get to know it, learn how it feels, identify its good and bad points, then you can make a decision about what needs changing etc.

You have a very good bike that deserves to be ridden. Assuming by "make a difference" you mean "is faster" then that's up to you and your fitness. Just keep riding .

Not discernibly no. A tyre upgrade might be worthwhile for your current bike if you have money burning a hole

thanks for advice could do with new tyre what do you recommend for all round choice and width 23 or 25

 

[Mercarcedes]

Thanks for advice could do with new tyres what do you recommend for all round use and width 23 or 25
Thanks

 

[Cyclist33]

Surprisingly stuffy advice from a forum full of people who love bikes!

Why don't you test-ride a couple of carbon bikes to see how they feel? Make sure the shop guys inflate the tyres to your usual pressure.

Sensible advice says keep what you've got but some modern carbon bikes are really thrilling to ride and you will find yourself taking any excuse to get out.

The thrill is not exclusive to carbon bikes, nor is taking any excuse to get out.

Funny how you describe sensible money-saving advice as "stuffy". Almost like you're trying to paint those who give it in a negative light.

 

[Globalti]

I am! Posts like the OP's usually elecit loads of "go for it!" and "N+1 is good!" replies so I don't know what's got into the members of CC today. Maybe they all got out of the wrong side of their beds.

 

[MartinQ]

Maybe they all got out of the wrong side of their beds.

Bah humbug ...
I'm just jealous 'cause my old bike isn't as posh as one the OP is thinking of upgrading from