Hello - Money to spend but advice needed.

[GJH Assassins]

Hi,

New to forums, normally just read others posts but now find myself needing as much advice/views as possible.
I'm the right side of 50 - just - live near Wigan and am a keen road cyclist who dabbles a bit in triathlon.

Current aluminium framed/carbon forked road bike is to be retired after excellent long service so I'm in the market for a new ride which is were I'm hoping you guys can help!

Ideally I want a full carbon frame with decent groupset (always been a Campag man but willing to try Shimano/SRAM). I set myself a budget of a £1,000 but now realise I may have to push that to £1,500.

I've noticed that brands like Ribble and Planet X are offering full carbon for a £1000 but I've been put off by a couple of negative comments plus the wheelsets they offer with these bikes are really basic.

I've learnt from experience the difference a good set of wheels can make!!

What do you think?

 

[Pat "5mph"]

Can't help but welcome to CC

 

[Moda]

Ribble and Planet X are offering full carbon for a £1000

the wheelsets they offer with these bikes are really basic.

Nope it's not an empty reply its just highlighting 2 statements.

 

[Biker Joe]

Hi and
I find it quite difficult to advise others on what bike to buy.
For myself, if I had a budget of £1000, I would go for the Ribble Evo Pro Carbon.
With their 'bikebuild' option you can decide what components you would like.
I have had dealings with Ribble in the past and have had no problems.
If the wheels they have on offer under 'bikebuild' are not to your liking you can discuss this with them before you go ahead. I have always found them quite helpful.
I think it would otherwise be quite difficult to find a carbon road bike under £1000.

 

[GJH Assassins]

Can't help but welcome to CC

Thanks Pat

 

[i hate hills]

Sorry mate i'm not best placed to advise but welcome and good luck with your quest. Mike.

 

[GJH Assassins]

Hi and
I find it quite difficult to advise others on what bike to buy.
For myself, if I had a budget of £1000, I would go for the Ribble Evo Pro Carbon.
With their 'bikebuild' option you can decide what components you would like.
I have had dealings with Ribble in the past and have had no problems.
If the wheels they have on offer under 'bikebuild' are not to your liking you can discuss this with them before you go ahead. I have always found them quite helpful.
I think it would otherwise be quite difficult to find a carbon road bike under £1000.

Thanks Joe,
I've also used Ribble and had no problems so perhaps I should remember that.
Somebodies put doubt in my mind about the quality of carbon used but how do you check that if its even true.
Graeme.

 

[Andrew_P]

What groupset and wheels on your soon to be retired bike? I would be tempted to plunge the cash in to the frame and transfer all the other bits from your old bike, and upgrade those as you can.

 

[GJH Assassins]

Sorry mate i'm not best placed to advise but welcome and good luck with your quest. Mike.

Thanks Mike,
No problem, it's not easy. So many options
Graeme.

 

[GJH Assassins]

What groupset and wheels on your soon to be retired bike? I would be tempted to plunge the cash in to the frame and transfer all the other bits from your old bike, and upgrade those as you can.

Thanks Andrew,
To be honest I was thinking about sticking it on my turbo but maybe I'll have a rethink!
Graeme.

 

[alecstilleyedye]

argos are doing a carbon framed bike for £699 :0

 

[goody]

You can get a nice full carbon from Ribble something like a Gran Fondo with 11 speed Campagnolo Athena groupset and Zonda wheels for £1500. All good kit. Have a play with the bike builder.
I went for a Ribble New Sportive with Campag Veloce groupset and Zonda wheels. Had no problems in over a year. My next bike will probably be a Canyon but the one I want is just over £3K so might have to wait a while.

 

[DooDah]

Cube, Focus (I know...I like German bikes). You would have to pay nearer 1500 for a great spec. but stunning bikes at the price. Have you thought about second-hand?. You would get a lot of bike for 1000-1500 quid0

 

[GJH Assassins]

argos are doing a carbon framed bike for £699 :0

thanks Alec,
That's a sentence I never thought I'd see. Got to be worth a look at that price!
Graeme.

 

[GJH Assassins]

You can get a nice full carbon from Ribble something like a Gran Fondo with 11 speed Campagnolo Athena groupset and Zonda wheels for £1500. All good kit. Have a play with the bike builder.
I went for a Ribble New Sportive with Campag Veloce groupset and Zonda wheels. Had no problems in over a year. My next bike will probably be a Canyon but the one I want is just over £3K so might have to wait a while.

Thanks goody,
I've had a good look at the Ribble bike builder, I could spend all day playing with that!
You only ever hear from people who've had a bad experience so it's good to hear a positive review.
Graeme.