carbon road bike advice

[matt butler]

been cycling 3 years ...48 year old...done a lot of canal towpath riding but sick of the hassle with idiotic dog walkers...been riding a gt transeo 2.0.
for this reason I would like a carbon road bike that is comfortable to ride and wondered if anyone could recommend any makes and models.
cheers.

 

[black'n'yellow]

they're all comfortable Matt - you're gonna need to be a bit more specific if you want useful answers..

 

[smokeysmoo]

Why limit yourself to carbon? There are wonderful bikes out there with frames made of other materials.

Everyone assumes carbon is an upgrade, but depending on the budget this is seldom ever the case IME.

 

[matt butler]

ok black n yellow
wouldnt want to pay more that about 1200 or so ( excuse me if this is naive ). dont really know what else to say. want a good value bike that is reliable and lightweight.

 

[Nearly there]

How about one of these
http://www.evanscycles.com/products/cannondale/caad10-105-compact-2012-road-bike-ec031694
lighter than some carbon frames

 

[matt butler]

How about one of these
http://www.evanscycles.com/products/cannondale/caad10-105-compact-2012-road-bike-ec031694
lighter than some carbon frames

 

[gbb]

ok black n yellow
wouldnt want to pay more that about 1200 or so ( excuse me if this is naive ). dont really know what else to say. want a good value bike that is reliable and lightweight.

Not naive at all matt.
What will happen here is everyone will bring to the table their own preferences, experiences, based on what they've owned. Sadly, most of us have only had one carbon bike, so it's not really a comparison.
That said, I have the Ribble new sportive carbon with campagnolo veloce group set. Right in your price range and I am very very pleased with it. Comfortable, looks good (although there are better looking bikes IMO) and performs very well with my 54 year old legs.

 

[matt butler]

you have one of those do you nearly there...if you do is it decent at climbing?

 

[smokeysmoo]

FWIW in carbon I've had a Trek Madone 5.5 and a Focus Cayo Pro, (and a cf MTB too).

I now run a Cannondale CAAD10 DA. It's lighter than both the cf bikes, and I find I can ride it farther than I ever could the other two as I also find it more comfortable.

Just saying

 

[smokeysmoo]

is it decent at climbing?

It's all down to the engine

 

[matt butler]

I know what you mean gbb...new to this forum and know that the majority on here know far more about cycling than me and even if someone was to say, dont get such and such a bike it would be a help.

 

[black'n'yellow]

you have one of those do you nearly there...if you do is it decent at climbing?

as above - if the rider is decent at climbing, then the bike will be too..

 

[matt butler]

It's all down to the engine

in that case I'm knackered .

 

[matt butler]

forgot to ask
on my hard tail I average around 12/13 miles per hour ( wow I hear you say ). what could I expect to get on a decent road bike ?

 

[smokeysmoo]

in that case I'm knackered .

Nah your not, I'm a fair old lump and I manage. OK I'm not a mountain goat, never will be, but I do OK.

You could save a couple of pounds shaving weight off a bike, or you could lose a stone off your body, (not personal Matt) and see which will help the hills the most?

Get down to one of the big cycle stores, Evans for example. You don't have to buy there, (although there's no reason why you shouldn't IME), but they carry decent stocks so you get more bikes to look at in one place.

You can also test ride any bike for a refundable deposit and a flash of some photo ID, this is not always an option in some places.