Carbon or aluminium for first road bike?

[Mr_Grieve]

I bought a hybrid earlier this year, initially with the intention of taking my daughter out on her new bike, but have been enjoying a lot of solo rides with significant benefit to my fitness and waistline.

I plan to reward myself with a new road bike for next year when I reach my target weight. I had planned to spend around £1000 and as the LBS is a Giant stockist, have been looking at Defy 1.

However, after looking at the Giant website, I've noticed I could get essentially the same bike in carbon (Defy Composite 2) for £300 more. I'm now wondering if I should consider something like this as a serious option. I'm not looking for the lightest, fastest bike but understand carbon is usually more comfortable.

I intend to buy at the LBS to ensure it fits and for after sales service. I'm not sure I'd be able to tell if there's much of a difference between the 2 on the short time I could test ride them hence I'd be keen to hear what others think.

I should add that I'm not absolutely set on the Defy and will be looking at other makes but the same question would arise ie would carbon be worth it?

 

[crazyjoe101]

I am by no means an expert but for my first roadie I'm buying a decent ally. This should be fine for the years until I can afford to/ want to upgrade, you could then keep the first as a winter bike or commuter. As I said though, I'm no expert.

 

[themosquitoking]

I've got a defy one and i love it, i'm not sure at my level i could tell the difference in a lighter frame while riding. I've changed tyres on it twice and i have no idea if there was any difference.

 

[Doyleyburger]

£1000 will get you a lovely carbon bike.
I have ally (my first road bike) and Iv never wished I went for carbon.
Having said that, I only had half your budget........
Could get a nice Boardman for £1000

 

[Cuchilo]

The other thing to look at is the components . The Defy 1 has Shimano 105 shifters and derailers the Defy C2 has Sram apex 10 speed components . Im looking at carbon defys myself so have the book to hand Just don't ask me to explain it

 

[Mr_Grieve]

Thanks all.

I was thinking along the line of crazyjoe but a comment from the guy in the LBS about carbon being more comfortable made me rethink. As I said earlier, I'm not bothered about weight or speed but given how poor some of the roads are locally I was thinking it might be worthwhile going for carbon.

I will be buying from a LBS so that will exclude Boardman, Plaet X ,Wiggle and the like but couple near me stock Giant, Trek and Spesh and I could go through to Edinburgh if necessary.

Cuchilo - 2013 Defy C2 had SRAM but 2014 now had Shimano 105 so the only real difference now is the frame.

 

[Sittingduck]

105 isn't better than Apex, imho. If you can afford the carbon version, I would be inclined to do so. Nothing wrong with aluminium bikes (I have had and have a few) but you will likely notice the difference with carbon. Again that's just my opinion. Comfort, probable weight saving and possibly stiffer in the areas that count. What's not to like...

 

[vickster]

I can't brake on 105 shifters, my new bike will have SRAM (which is steel )

Alu is more practical if you need racks and mudguards and what not for commuting

 

[SquareDaff]

105 and Apex are about the same level. There are SRAM lovers and haters on here. Personally I've used both 105 and Apex and don't know what all the fuss is about, I like both. They're both good levels of kit for that price range. IME people that complain about SRAM components have them set up poorly. Both my front and rear mechs change as smooth as silk!

The best way to make the decision is to have a try out on both the Defy 1 and Composite 2. It's not as simple as carbon being more comfortable than alu as every component makes a difference to the enjoyment/comfort of the ride. I've not seen the geometry but is there a difference in frame layout too? Have a go, buy the one that feels right to you and don't get suckered into thinking that carbon is always the best option!

 

[Fubar]

Thanks all.

I was thinking along the line of crazyjoe but a comment from the guy in the LBS about carbon being more comfortable made me rethink. As I said earlier, I'm not bothered about weight or speed but given how poor some of the roads are locally I was thinking it might be worthwhile going for carbon.

I will be buying from a LBS so that will exclude Boardman, Plaet X ,Wiggle and the like but couple near me stock Giant, Trek and Spesh and I could go through to Edinburgh if necessary.

Cuchilo - 2013 Defy C2 had SRAM but 2014 now had Shimano 105 so the only real difference now is the frame.

OT but roughly whereabouts are you in Fife (you don't have to be specific )? Looks like Falkland Hill in your avatar, from the Leslie side.

 

[themosquitoking]

105 and Apex are about the same level. There are SRAM lovers and haters on here. Personally I've used both 105 and Apex and don't know what all the fuss is about, I like both. They're both good levels of kit for that price range. IME people that complain about SRAM components have them set up poorly. Both my front and rear mechs change as smooth as silk!

The best way to make the decision is to have a try out on both the Defy 1 and Composite 2. It's not as simple as carbon being more comfortable than alu as every component makes a difference to the enjoyment/comfort of the ride. I've not seen the geometry but is there a difference in frame layout too? Have a go, buy the one that feels right to you and don't get suckered into thinking that carbon is always the best option!

Frame geometry is the same on all defys only difference is the build material.

 

[Shadow]

What's not to like...

Carbon, in my limited but painful experience, is that it is not repairable, depending where the break is.
Makes great bike material just not great in a crash.

 

[Rob3rt]

Carbon, in my limited but painful experience, is that it is not repairable, depending where the break is.
Makes great bike material just not great in a crash.

A crash bad enough to smash a carbon frame would in most cases irreparably damage an aluminium frame.

 

[Shadow]

A crash bad enough to smash a carbon frame would in most cases irreparably damage an aluminium frame.

Agreed. But bizarrely, I had an incident a couple of years ago which wrote off my carbon frame but would not have seriously damaged aluminum, titanium and definitely not steel.

 

[mickle]

Other frame materials are available.