What bike for £2k

[simon.r]

... fancy a full carbon.

Any particular reason for carbon?

I'd be looking at a top end steel frame, or titanium.

You'll not get a carbon frame that looks as pretty as this:

IMHO of course http://www.merciancycles.co.uk/frames/20/professional

 

[vickster]

looks a nice bike bet they don't have one in the summer when i'm ready to upgrade

Why wait for the summer

They are a very established bike shop (like the oldest in the world), you can only ask if they can do a deal in the spring (you don't want to wait until summer, just warmer weather). Who knows what they may do for a deposit. Says pre order on that link, whatever that may mean.

They even take Halfords C2W vouchers!

 

[bainy16]

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2012-SPEC...0976675787?pt=UK_Bikes_GL&hash=item2326e93fcb

 

[smokeysmoo]

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2012-SPEC...0976675787?pt=UK_Bikes_GL&hash=item2326e93fcb

2nd hand carbon fibre?

[EDIT] and £80 postage

 

[reacher]

I've got to suggest it, why not buy the worlds best alu frame and get a CAAD10.

i bought one last year , what a great bike , what ever they did to design this bike they produced something extra special ,

 

[vickster]

I am not sure I would spend 2k on a bike from a retailer who says he doesn't offer all dealer trimmings...but maybe that's just me

 

[bainy16]

Why wait for the summer

They are a very established bike shop (like the oldest in the world), you can only ask if they can do a deal in the spring (you don't want to wait until summer, just warmer weather). Who knows what they may do for a deposit. Says pre order on that link, whatever that may mean.

They even take Halfords C2W vouchers!

i got my current bike through the CTW scheme but the LBS wouldn't let me add any extra money for a better spec bike????? god knows why they would only let me spend the 1k.wife says i have to wait while summer for new bike(and yes shes the boss)

 

[vickster]

There's been lots of discussion about why the C2W limit is £1k, something to do with businesses having credit licenses or some such LBS's lose out often on C2W, why they don't take on discounted bikes often

Isn't this prescisely what interest free credit cards are for

 

[bainy16]

2nd hand carbon fibre?

[EDIT] and £80 postage

is that a bad idea?

 

[smokeysmoo]

is that a bad idea?

I'm sure there are plenty who'll shoot me down, (knowing I don't do carbon fibre anyway), but there is an argument that you can't prove the integrity of a carbon frame by a visual inspection.

With alu, steel Ti etc you can inspect the welds for cracks, whereas problems in cf will remain hidden due to the construction process. Heck they even advise you to replace cf frames and forks after an accident for this reason.

I'm sure it'd probably be OK, but it's a £1.8k big mistake if it isn't!

 

[WychwoodTrev]

is that a bad idea?

Yes as you dont know the history of the bike like if its had a hard knock which might have damaged the carbon weave, Alloy or Steel will dent/crease so you can see damage carbon will pop back into shape so damage is hidden

 

[PaulSecteur]

£1500...

£450 wheelset (Mavic ksyrium elite with tyres) from merlin http://www.merlincycles.com/bike-sh.../mavic-ksyrium-elite-s-wts-wheelset-2013.html

£50 change...

and

 

[WychwoodTrev]

I will second the Tarmac if you liked your Allez as they share the same geometery. I have just purchased one and love it it will do you well for club rides/sportives

 

[derrick]

Any particular reason for carbon?

I'd be looking at a top end steel frame, or titanium.

You'll not get a carbon frame that looks as pretty as this:

IMHO of course http://www.merciancycles.co.uk/frames/20/professional

Not the best pic but just as pretty.

 

[black'n'yellow]

With alu, steel Ti etc you can inspect the welds for cracks, whereas problems in cf will remain hidden due to the construction process..

Not really - any impact or stress which would be hard enough to damage a CF frame will be visible from the outside, in exactly the same way as any other material. Providing the paint is original, the damage will be visible in the paint or topcoat.