mdh1980
Member
- Location
- Northamptonshire
I've been riding my B'Twin 500SE for nearly 3 years now, and have enjoyed it, but as ever with this sort of hobby the idea of spending money on something "better" starts to appear... but I'm not really sure where to start! I'm even questioning whether it is worth buying something new or just enjoying the bike I have for what it is.
The type of cycling I enjoy is road based, generally country roads up and down hills. I've done a 50 mile sportive around villages in Bedfordshire which was enjoyable, buy more likely to do 20 or 30 miles at a time rides. I would do more but work travel, family etc. means that I don't often have the time.
I'm not really interested in racing, but like going quickly when the conditions allow. From reading online and speaking to people in bike shops some bikes are much more designed with racing in mind, and some more "relaxed" for the type of riding I like. Is this a massive difference in the real world?
So taking into account a budget of £1000 to £1500 I've looked at the following.
https://www.decathlon.co.uk/ultra-920-af-road-bike-grey-ultegra-id_8402811.html This is one I've actually had a go on, if only around the shop. Seemed a lot more nimble than the current bike (obviously a fair bit lighter!) and I like the looks. But it's an aluminium frame, should I be looking at carbon?
https://www.decathlon.co.uk/ultra-900-cf-carbon-road-bike-105-id_8390339.html Carbon frame this time, but some of the other components aren't quite as good, would this be really noticeable? A bit more expensive initially.
https://www.rutlandcycling.com/bike...5-2018-carbon-road-bike-black_380965#infospec Had a sit on one of these but not ridden it. I like the looks though!
I also had a look at Specialized Roubaix, but not ridden.
Thanks for any thoughts, and any other bike suggestions are welcome. I appreciated the answer will be "go and test ride a few and buy the one you like" but any pros and cons to the above is welcome.
The type of cycling I enjoy is road based, generally country roads up and down hills. I've done a 50 mile sportive around villages in Bedfordshire which was enjoyable, buy more likely to do 20 or 30 miles at a time rides. I would do more but work travel, family etc. means that I don't often have the time.
I'm not really interested in racing, but like going quickly when the conditions allow. From reading online and speaking to people in bike shops some bikes are much more designed with racing in mind, and some more "relaxed" for the type of riding I like. Is this a massive difference in the real world?
So taking into account a budget of £1000 to £1500 I've looked at the following.
https://www.decathlon.co.uk/ultra-920-af-road-bike-grey-ultegra-id_8402811.html This is one I've actually had a go on, if only around the shop. Seemed a lot more nimble than the current bike (obviously a fair bit lighter!) and I like the looks. But it's an aluminium frame, should I be looking at carbon?
https://www.decathlon.co.uk/ultra-900-cf-carbon-road-bike-105-id_8390339.html Carbon frame this time, but some of the other components aren't quite as good, would this be really noticeable? A bit more expensive initially.
https://www.rutlandcycling.com/bike...5-2018-carbon-road-bike-black_380965#infospec Had a sit on one of these but not ridden it. I like the looks though!
I also had a look at Specialized Roubaix, but not ridden.
Thanks for any thoughts, and any other bike suggestions are welcome. I appreciated the answer will be "go and test ride a few and buy the one you like" but any pros and cons to the above is welcome.
