Aluminium or Carbon Road Bike?

[bshfrd]

Hi there,

I've been slowly upgrading over the years from vintage hipster pieces of crap to more and more 'serious' road bikes (within my student budget, that is). Unfortunately my last aluminium/carbon fork Boardman commuter was stolen a couple of months ago, and the time has come to replace it. I'm buying second-hand, and without the luxury to choose exactly what specs I want, I'd appreciate some advice on these two that I've narrowed the selection down to.

I intend to use it as an all-purpose commuter, for getting from one point in London to another as quickly and smoothly as possible. I would cover an average of 200km a week with my previous bike as I cover 40km most days cycling to my rowing club. I am 6ft, and not sure if getting an exact-size frame for my size is worth holding out for weeks, considering it's hard to find a bargain at the right price and right specs.

First up is a Boardman Team Road Bike 2011https://www.bikeradar.com/reviews/bikes/road-bikes/boardman-team-review-2/ , aluminium alloy triple butted frame at £220, 53cm frame.

The other option is a Boardman Team Carbon 2016, 52cm frame, at £230, but located at the other end of the country, so I'd have to travel far to get it. https://www.bikeradar.com/reviews/bikes/road-bikes/boardman-team-carbon-16-review/

The differences between these two seem slight, so I am not sure if I am considering this too much. Any advice from more seasoned cyclists would be well appreciated!

Thank you.

 

[cyberknight]

I would say both are too small for you anyway , even given halfords sizing of measuring the seat tube rather than top tube those measurements if im right make them a medium frame, equivalent of a 55.5 top tube which i would say is too small for you ,
Generally boardmans sizing 51.5 = 54 top tube , 53 = 55.5 and 55.5= 57 top tube .

For commuting i personally would not use full carbon , i know many do but i feel if you and an accident/ off or someone damages it in a bike rack an alloy frame is less prone to serious damage whereas carbon although strong in the way its designed for can be weak to forces in odd directions .

 

[Ming the Merciless]

How about an old steel racer? Plenty out there in good condition.

 

[roadrash]

personally I would think both are too small for someone 6ft

 

[AuroraSaab]

I think those bikes are too small too.

https://www.boardmanbikes.com/gb_en/service/sizing-advice.html

It's doable to ride a bike that's a bit too big, but uncomfortable to be riding a bike that's too small. I got a used carbon Giant road bike for £200 on Sphock and a decent Dawes mtb for £30 on ebay . Keep looking, something will turn up.

 

[vickster]

I think those bikes are too small too.

https://www.boardmanbikes.com/gb_en/service/sizing-advice.html

It's doable to ride a bike that's a bit too big, but uncomfortable to be riding a bike that's too small. I got a used carbon Giant road bike for £200 on Sphock and a decent Dawes mtb for £30 on ebay . Keep looking, something will turn up.

The general advice is to go a little small rather than too big. You can add a longer stem, layback post but you can’t make a frameset smaller, especially the top tube, seat tube etc. Having locked elbows, overreaching will cause issues potentially (a too big bike gave me chronic tennis elbow which needed 2 operations to fix when everything else failed).
However, if buying a new /new to you bike, there’s no reason to get the wrong size. There’s loads of choice, may just need to be patient or look further afield