n+1 time, fairly soon...

[Kins]

That's what my LBS said. The power transfer overrides the actual weight saving. I really like the Defy, but already hankering after n+1. They said that the Composites would not give a huge gain over my Defy and to look at the Advanced models. It's a tough call...

Why don't you just buy a frame and stick your stuff on it? Something like this : http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Cinelli-E...e-Module-Blue-White-RRP-1999-99-/111161536304 . Then you have the pleasure of buying new bits for it and upgrading over time. (thats just an example and didn't really look)

 

[bpsmith]

@SteCenturion Cheers for the info. The guy was so passionate about the AR5 that I got carried away! lol. In hindsight, of course, you are spot on as are others on this thread. Aero is out of my head now. Yes, I was discussing the Zonda's. Now that second set delivered and intact, they are far better than stock Defy 1.

@Cuchilo Cheers for the vote of confidence in the TCR. I want real world opinions in a narrow view based on experience of both bikes. Chuffed that you are able to chime in to confirm. Just need to keep an eye out for a deal. Can wait until Autumn if I have to, as still enjoying the Defy 1 presently. If I can wait that is!

@Kins That's a beautiful framset that! Certainly an option. Currently leaning towards n+1 so can have a Winter bike without the worry, as certainly going to miss the cycling if I don't use for the Winter. If only those Carbon bikes didn't dissolve in water!

 

[Cyclist33]

That's what my LBS said. The power transfer overrides the actual weight saving. I really like the Defy, but already hankering after n+1. They said that the Composites would not give a huge gain over my Defy and to look at the Advanced models. It's a tough call...

MRDA...

 

[bpsmith]

MRDA...

OFC

 

[Kins]

@Kins That's a beautiful framset that! Certainly an option. Currently leaning towards n+1 so can have a Winter bike without the worry, as certainly going to miss the cycling if I don't use for the Winter. If only those Carbon bikes didn't dissolve in water!

Winter bike should be a nice cheap 531 old bike that will give you hours of fun tinkering with Then N+1 will be a slightly newer bike that will replace the winter bike, but you might forget to sell it.

 

[bpsmith]

That's the point. I have a Defy 1, which becomes the Winter bike and new TCR Advanced becomes the new toy. Ok the Defy is not quite old school, but can still tinker.

 

[SteCenturion]

That's what my LBS said. The power transfer overrides the actual weight saving. I really like the Defy, but already hankering after n+1. They said that the Composites would not give a huge gain over my Defy and to look at the Advanced models. It's a tough call...

To be fair he has a point, in terms of weight anyway.

I have posted about Giants 3 tier carbon range previously but as I am old & decrepit I can't link it, not on my phone anyway.

Giant carbon range are

Comp = (Torayca) Toray T600
Advanced = Toray T700
Advanced SL = Toray T800

Torayca are one of the top 3 manufacturers of carbon worldwide.

Taking T600 as the basic level & T800 as the top level (in Giants range) the weight decreases & cost increases as the levels get higher.

Giant never advertise frame weights.

It is possible to get Torayca T1000 from other manufacturers & Pinerello are one of these.

My bike is Toray T800 (not a Giant)

A cycle manufacturer can call a bike T800 (High Modulus) if they use some T800/HM in the frame lay up, but doesn't mean it is made entirely of T800/HM.

In fact, having read many articles in bike mags from respected builders, if a manufacturer built a bike 100% from High Mod or Super High Mod carbon it would created an extremely light but also an extremely brittle bike with no comfort at all, the bike would not absorb road shock very well.

The upshot is that I estimate the weight difference between your Alu Defy & the carbon Comp to be quite low, 200g > 250g maybe in a like for like frame sizes.

A guy on here or maybe it was BikeRadar posted somewhere that when he measured the weight of his Giant Comp, he was surprised at it's weight, being heavier than he thought & not much lighter than his aluminium bike.

Having said all of this, a good carbon frame will give much more than a weight saving, like stiffness, compliance & shock absorption.

 

[bpsmith]

Cheers for the input. It was the latter that the guy at the shop said, but that if I wanted weight saving too, then step up to the advanced. Just need to pay this off at end of month, then look around for a deal. Can seem me hanging back until Autumn even. Or do bikes not drop a huge amount until mid Winter?

 

[SteCenturion]

Usually price drops are seen when the new model year is in stores, typically the 2015 models will start to appear after the TdF in Aug/Sep.

 

[bpsmith]

Autumn it is then

 

[Cuchilo]

To be fair he has a point, in terms of weight anyway.

I have posted about Giants 3 tier carbon range previously but as I am old & decrepit I can't link it, not on my phone anyway.

Giant carbon range are

Comp = (Torayca) Toray T600
Advanced = Toray T700
Advanced SL = Toray T800

Torayca are one of the top 3 manufacturers of carbon worldwide.

Taking T600 as the basic level & T800 as the top level (in Giants range) the weight decreases & cost increases as the levels get higher.

Giant never advertise frame weights.

It is possible to get Torayca T1000 from other manufacturers & Pinerello are one of these.

My bike is Toray T800 (not a Giant)

A cycle manufacturer can call a bike T800 (High Modulus) if they use some T800/HM in the frame lay up, but doesn't mean it is made entirely of T800/HM.

In fact, having read many articles in bike mags from respected builders, if a manufacturer built a bike 100% from High Mod or Super High Mod carbon it would created an extremely light but also an extremely brittle bike with no comfort at all, the bike would not absorb road shock very well.

The upshot is that I estimate the weight difference between your Alu Defy & the carbon Comp to be quite low, 200g > 250g maybe in a like for like frame sizes.

A guy on here or maybe it was BikeRadar posted somewhere that when he measured the weight of his Giant Comp, he was surprised at it's weight, being heavier than he thought & not much lighter than his aluminium bike.

Having said all of this, a good carbon frame will give much more than a weight saving, like stiffness, compliance & shock absorption.

@SteCenturion , you may find it interesting to look into the lay up of carbon matting / fibre .... Or you may not
I repaired a boat keel once and was advised to go for a very open fibre for strength . The matting is for a good finish .
Its all in the lay up so the denser matting will be heavier and may well be weaker than finer matting / strands at stress points .
Just a theory .
P.S I took the boat into London and tested my work , a few tonne of boat riding the waves and slamming back onto the water told me I did a good job . I didn't tell my mates I fixed the bottom bit though

 

[bpsmith]

As far as the gearing on the TCR Advanced is concerned, I notice that it's a 53-39 and 11-25 setup. Currently, my Defy is now a 50-34 and 11-28. Am I going to really struggle with the difference, or is the bike being so much better going to help with some of the difference?

I only started cycling this year btw, but doing pretty well so far.

 

[DooDah]

Cube Agree GTC SL everyday

 

[SteCenturion]

The lower weight of the TCR will help, but the gearing at the back will be less than you have currently, this is easy to change, it's the cassette and not the derailleur that gives the rear gearing.

A swap of the cassette to an 11-28 would be easy enough & price would be between £15 for a basic Shimano up to around £35 or £40 for a Shimano Ultegra cassette.

 

[themosquitoking]

Or swap your current compact chainset for the standard on the new bike, this should give similar gearing on both.