upgrading my carrera tdf

[Torvi]

@KneesUp carrera tdf '14 got compact crankset ive just counted on mine

 

[Peteaud]

Its your money, spend it on what you want.

Me, i would not upgrade a TDF, although there is nothing wrong with them.

I would first look at bike options, the Giant Defy, Cannondale synapse to name two.

Less than £1000 gets you a lot of bike these days, especialy if you go for 2014 models.

Synapse disc 105 was £1100 this time last year, now down to £850

http://www.evanscycles.com/products...e&utm_source=AskAndAnswer&utm_content=Default

http://www.rutlandcycling.com/281112/products/giant-defy-1-compact-road-bike-2014-black-red.aspx

Defy 1 for £700.

 

[KneesUp]

@KneesUp carrera tdf '14 got compact crankset ive just counted on mine

Fair enough - don't be afraid of low gears though, @glenjarvis - I have a 42/32/22 triple on my bike, and although I don't use the 22 very often, when I do I'm glad it's there

 

[KneesUp]

Me, i would not upgrade a TDF, although there is nothing wrong with them.

[snip links to bikes that are £700 to £800]

I think the bit I've bolded is the key - for the sort of riding the OP is doing, the Carrera is fine. I doubt he has plans to do the actual TdF on it. Spending a few hundred quis to get something slightly lighter seems a bit pointless when more appropriate gearing and perhaps lighter wheels on the Carrera will do just fine. The frame on another bike isn't going to be significantly lighter, for example.

 

[glenjarvis]

I think the bit I've bolded is the key - for the sort of riding the OP is doing, the Carrera is fine. I doubt he has plans to do the actual TdF on it. Spending a few hundred quis to get something slightly lighter seems a bit pointless when more appropriate gearing and perhaps lighter wheels on the Carrera will do just fine. The frame on another bike isn't going to be significantly lighter, for example.

Cheers for the info ive had a few people mention changing wheels any advice on what sort would be better?
nearly everybody has said get a more compact chainset 50/34 might well go down that route

 

[Diggs]

Hi @glenjarvis from a fellow Essex forum member. Another vote for keeping the Carrera, pop some mudguards on (if you haven't already!) and get some miles in over winter.
You can spend the winter evenings looking through reviews and deciding if you want to spend a load of cash on a new bike for next spring

 

[glenjarvis]

again thanks everyone for replying I wished id gone onto cyclechat before I bought the bike
although I have no issues or problems with the tdf seems I may have got more for my money inc more comp chainset elsewhere though
wonderful thing hindsight

 

[glenjarvis]

Why not stick some new tyres and perhaps some wheels on the bike - choose these well and it should have a noticeable effects

Hi Vickster
a few have suggested new wheels and tyres have you any suggestions on what sort of wheels?
I have continental gators on now do most people on the forums not rate them
I m going to get a more compact chainset
unfortunately I didn't know about cyclechat before I bought the bike with all the info ive been given I would have bought a bike for same money
better than the tdf

 

[vickster]

Hi Vickster
a few have suggested new wheels and tyres have you any suggestions on what sort of wheels?
I have continental gators on now do most people on the forums not rate them
I m going to get a more compact chainset
unfortunately I didn't know about cyclechat before I bought the bike with all the info ive been given I would have bought a bike for same money
better than the tdf

How much do you want to spend on the wheels?

Personally I have Fulcrum 5, but at the mo they are around £180(+ tyres)

There are lots of threads on wheels and tyres in the component forum

http://www.cyclechat.net/forums/cycling-components.75/

You'll need to check that the wheels are compatible with the cassette - how many cogs on the back?

 

[glenjarvis]

I changed the stock kenda tyres on my TDF to Vittoria zafiros which were dirt cheap and the difference it made was incredidible.....much comfier to ride, more compliant, more grip, more sure footed. That's a good start.

I also bought a specialised gel saddle(after a sit bones fitting) for about 40 quid and that's made a huge difference too. It means I don't have to buy expensive padded shorts.....sports direct ones at a fiver or so a piece. I've done 59 mile days with no complaints as a result.....

Hi Matt
any recommendations on a saddle im definitely changing mine just waiting to see what people give thumbs up to
some say rock spoon but which one there s lots of diff ones on amazon

 

[vickster]

This thread might be of interest http://www.cyclechat.net/threads/wheelset-recommendation.167076/#post-3330474

Saddle wise the Spoon is a popular choice but it may not be the one for you - trial and error once you've established the width of your sit bone and what style (e.g. cut out versus none) suits your anatomy

 

[glenjarvis]

I changed the stock kenda tyres on my TDF to Vittoria zafiros which were dirt cheap and the difference it made was incredidible.....much comfier to ride, more compliant, more grip, more sure footed. That's a good start.

I also bought a specialised gel saddle(after a sit bones fitting) for about 40 quid and that's made a huge difference too. It means I don't have to buy expensive padded shorts.....sports direct ones at a fiver or so a piece. I've done 59 mile days with no complaints as a result.....

sorry meant charge spoon not rock
work nights haven t slept yet!

 

[Big_Dave]

I have a the older TDF, I upgraded to 10 speed on the rear and triple chainset on the front giving me 30 speed, it doesn't as such make you any faster just easier, you do get marginal gains but I put this down to improvements in fitness, The TDF is unfortunately a heavy bike, the wheels contribute about a third of its weight which are again quite heavy, buy changing the wheels you could save a good 600 grams (I tried my Raleigh wheels on my TDF and it then weighed 600 grams lighter) For me personally financially it was worth converting the TDF to 30 speed, as for the bike weight side then no, there are far lighter bikes at a good price, having said no to the weight side, my Raleigh is a good 1kg lighter, I have just as many PR's on hills on the TDF as I have on the Raleigh, although the PR's do come a little easier on the hills on the raleigh, as for average speed it is probably less than half a mile per hour over a 50mile distance between them

 

[SteCenturion]

Hi @glenjarvis & firstly to Cycle Chat from The Peoples Republic of Mancunia.

Some good points are raised here, not all I am in agreement with though.

Firstly, every post (including mine) will be personal opinion & eventually you will take from it the best parts that suit you at this time.

The Carrera TdF is a fine bike for it's price but was made to hit a price point as an entry level bike & to sell lots of units to newbies (we were all newbies once).

I agree with upgrading bikes generally, but in the middle to high end price bracket.

You might need to spend £200 on wheels, £80 > £100 on a Chainset/Crankset £25 > £30 on a derailleur & £15 on a cassette, as changing one part can sometimes necessitate changing another (long cage derailleur for a wider cassette) for example.

All of the above might save 250 > 300 grammes & give you a wider range of gears & a little better acceleration (wheels) also making climbing easier.

If your current TdF has a compact 50/34 chainset you will save a little outlay there. The numbers might be printed on the outside of each ring or on the spider of your front rings, if not you can simply count them.

I believe that you have 2 options.

1. Keep your TdF for another year, (change the saddle if you like) but nothing else, I don't think you would see much return on your £££ when you sell, (& you will sell).

2. Sell the TdF & get the best price you can for it, then buy the best bike you can manage to afford.

This doesn't mean a £1000 carbon racer.

A 2014 Giant Defy 3 (9 speed Shimano Sora) can be had for £449 from www.rutlandcycling.com or www.pedalon.co.uk
A Felt F 95 for £395 (9 speed Shimano Sora) or F 75 (10 speed Shimano 105) for £599 from www.merlincycles.com

All of the above will be significantly lighter than your TdF, have lighter higher quality frames, lighter carbon forks, lighter higher end gears/groupsets, better range of gearing & out perform your TdF. (you might not even need to change the saddle).

I think you will notice the difference.

If you could manage to get £200 for your TdF you would need another £200 > £250 to get one of the above.

or you could spend £250 "improving" your TdF, (how much of that would you get back come sale time) ?

Best of Luck with your decisions/decisions (tough job this cycling lark)

 

[SteCenturion]

@glenjarvis

I forgot to mention that your Continental Gatorskins are fine good quality tyres.

& I wasn't Carrera TdF bashing (in case anyone thinks so) it's a fine bike for what it is , just illustrating the difference & that you 'Can' have much better for not much more investment.

Thanks.