Do I need Carbon Fibre???

[cashy293]

Hi Guys,
New to the forum, hope someone can offer some advice.

I have been cycling for around 2 years and try to get in around 50 to 100m a week and enter a few sportives a year.

Since taking cycling up I have been riding a Specialized Allez Sport which is an alu frame with carbon forks. I have upgraded the wheels to Fulcrum Quattro's which made a big difference to the feel of the bike. Overall I am very pleased with it and love the frame but am now thinking is it time it got relegated to a "winter bike"

Now that I have gotten into more than I ever thought, the n+1 formula has bitten pretty bad and I am thinking is there is any point in upgrading to Carbon Fibre bike. I have been looking quite a bit into the Focus Cayo Evo 2 which I can pick up for around £1500.

What I am unsure of is will I really notice that much difference or will it be a wasted £1500?. A friend of mine has gone from a Defy 1 to Bianchi Sempre and he swears that it is has made a huge difference.

Any advice would be appreciated
Chris

 

[fossyant]

You always need more than one. You may or may not notice much difference as the bike isn't massively more expensive. You would benefit from riding more often though.

 

[MikeW-71]

I started with a Defy 2, which is a great bike to ride, and I still love it. I then bought a carbon Defy Advanced 2 last year, which retailed at £2k at the time, but got £400 off it in the sales.

The difference between them is remarkable. The carbon bike transmits power better, is more responsive and is, somehow, more comfortable as well. It has better wheels too, stiffer and lighter.

 

[ianrauk]

We always aspire to better, nicer bikes. Will it make us go faster? Who knows. After all the engine will be the same. Marginal gains maybe. If you really like the look of the bike and you have tried it and want it, then stop gassing and go buy it.

 

[Kestevan]

No-one needs carbon fibre.

You may however want a carbon bike, this is normal and natural. Be aware that at some point you will also want bikes made of steel, aluminium and titanium (plus any other unobtanium manufacturers come up with in the next 20 odd years). This is also normal, N+1 will not be denied.

 

[cashy293]

You always need more than one. You may or may not notice much difference as the bike isn't massively more expensive. You would benefit from riding more often though.

Wish I could but with work commitments and a 1 year old daughter, I struggle to get out more than once or twice a week. I do try to get a couple of turbo sessions in a week too

 

[ianrauk]

No-one needs carbon fibre.

You may however want a carbon bike, this is normal and natural. Be aware that at some point you will also want bikes made of steel, aluminium and titanium (plus any other unobtanium manufacturers come up with in the next 20 odd years). This is also normal, N+1 will not be denied.

*cough*

 

[BSRU]

If your not seriously competing then you do not need a CF bike, wanting and needing are not the same.
If your basically cycling for fitness then any bike will do the job.
I used to have a an aluminium road bike with carbon forks, not light compared to a good CF bike but it had a good engine(most days) and was a joy to ride.

 

[Justinslow]

Of course you do - plastic is fantastic.

 

[Drago]

If you're not fat blob like me then go for it. Keep it covered when not in use to extend the life of the frame, as some of the polymers used degrade under UV.

Just remember that simply being made.from.carbon fibre doesn't bestow a frame with magical properties - there are crap CF ones just the same as there are crap steel ones.

 

[cashy293]

Thanks for the input guys. It seems that wanting a new CF bike and needing a new one a very very different

 

[Deleted member 35268]

I have an Alu Giant Defy, and I am desperate to get a CF bike, but money is the issue so.... I get the most out of the bike I can, it does 100 miles a week every week and I do hill climbs and endurance rides.
It does the job perfectly, I just have to look after it.
Of course, a lighter bike would boost my times and speeds, but it will just have to wait until next year, or the next.

 

[ianrauk]

I have an Alu Giant Defy, and I am desperate to get a CF bike, but money is the issue so.... I get the most out of the bike I can, it does 100 miles a week every week and I do hill climbs and endurance rides.
It does the job perfectly, I just have to look after it.
Of course, a lighter bike would boost my times and speeds, but it will just have to wait until next year, or the next.

I would hazard a guess that the weight different between your Alu Giant Defy and a CF bike wouldn't be a lot. Marginal gains I would expect.

 

[Mugshot]

Yes, even if you don't you do.
Hope that helps

 

[samsbike]

I had a cf bike after a steel bike. The cf bike was good to ride as it accelerated faster and was slightly easier up hills. However I was also conscious of the fact that it needed a bit more tlc than a steel bike.

In terms of speed, yes it was slightly quicker about 0.5mph over my commute of 12 miles and I was slightly less tired, but it was marginal gains. It also could have me just going faster trying to justify the bike!