Dipping into carbon

[Onthedrops]

Planning an upgrade very soon. Had been considering buying aluminium with 105 along the lines of Cube Peleton Race.
After speaking to a guy in the LBS (customer with no affinity to bikes stocked there) he suggested going down the carbon route to experience the difference to be had.
Then followed much research. I'm looking to buy a relaxed geometry frame as full out race bikes are not for me.
Took a look on the Internet and discovered the following.

Giant Defy Advanced 2
Focus Cayo 7.0
Giant TCR Advanced 1 (ultegra group set)

Loving the look of the Focus but erring towards Giant. All bikes are 2015 models.
Any pros and cons about the above bikes?
Is the TCR a sportive style bike?

 

[Cyclist33]

Hi, the Defy is the sportive biased model. I haven't ridden either that or the tcr in carbon but the aluminium Defy is good.

 

[JMAG]

TCR is a racing "thoroughbred" www.giant-bicycles.com/en-gb/news/article/choosing.your.giant.road.bike/18321/

Have you considered Cannondale Synapse or Felt Z5?

 

[Thomo]

I have a lot of time for the Focus. cant say I have used a cayo 7.0 but the focus brand certainly seems to be well made and look fantastic.

 

[Onthedrops]

Did consider the Cannondale but they do seem rather expensive for the standard of spec that comes with the bike. Not really considered the Felt Z5. Is that relaxed geometry too? May be worth looking into. Ideally looking at getting a 105 equipped bike with a carbon frame if possible.

The Peleton race is equipped with 105 8500 with a 12/32 cassette. Most of the carbon examples I've seen feature 105 but with mainly 12/28. Would I notice a marked difference when climbing? It's a bit hilly round here!

 

[vickster]

Planet X carbon with SRAM?

 

[Cyclist33]

Planet X carbon with SRAM?

Race geometry.

 

[Cyclist33]

Felt ž is a keen shout.

 

[vickster]

Dunno if all the models are. The RT80 claims to be a sportive model

 

[JMAG]

The Felt Z5 has relaxed geometry and has a 11-32 cassette. If it's hilly round your way, it might be useful, but depends on your fitness and just how long and steep the hills are.

I changed down from a 11-32t to a 11-28t primarily to reduce the jumps between mid range cogs, but it's not hilly round here either.

 

[Luegolover]

Ribble do a sportive bike called the Gran Fondo which I think is in line price wise with the bikes you have chosen. My wife has a carbon bike from Ribble and it is excellent, can't recommend them highly enough for quality and value.

I really like riding carbon bikes. I am not sure that it has anything more to it than weight reduction though. If you are in a hilly area then a light carbon bike will be a real joy to ride.

If you go for a company like Ribble where you can build a bike to your own specification then make sure you are not carried away with the upgrade options, the standard level is often very good. I am not sure that it is worth going above 105 for example as I have now used Ultegra and can't really tell the difference. But I did speak to Ribble when ordering my wife's bike and they did suggest a low cost upgrade option on the wheels that I have never regretted so I would call them to discuss.

Finally, if you can stretch to Di2 I would, living with Di2 is amazing. I can't recommend it enough.

Good luck

 

[JMAG]

I am not sure that it is worth going above 105 for example as I have now used Ultegra and can't really tell the difference. . .

. . . Finally, if you can stretch to Di2 I would, living with Di2 is amazing. I can't recommend it enough.

lol

I'm sure it's great . . . . I was going to say the groupset alone costs more than the OP's bike budget, but seems not www.wiggle.co.uk/shimano-ultegra-6870-di2-11-speed-groupset/

Still too rich for me unfortunately.

 

[vickster]

I don't see an actual budget specified in the first post, unless I'm going blind!

 

[JMAG]

I don't see an actual budget specified in the first post, unless I'm going blind!

No, indeed, but judging by the spec and the bikes they are looking at it would be a bit of a jump to Di2. I wasn't having a pop at @Luegolover and great if it is within the OP's budget.

 

[vickster]

If the budget is flexible...
http://www.pearsoncycles.co.uk/pearson-hammerandtongs-2015.html/