Which bike to get? Aluminium v carbon

[smokeysmoo]

Check with your LBS first I'd say. I know a couple of shops that won't work on any bikes they haven't sold, madness IMO but you'd be up $h1t creek with your Canyon if you were relying on them to fettle it on their behalf.

This might be an isolated possibility, but a possibility it is.

@swh1, just check your LBS would be happy doing this in the event you bought a Canyon and it needed fettling, I'm sure most would but knowledge is power and all that

 

[TissoT]

Caynon sounding attractive

They also look attractive...

 

[swh1]

Thanks for the advice! Will go to my LBS and check it out!

 

[ianrauk]

And Nigel's bike really looks the mutts nuts...

Like Cannondale, Canyon are a pro-peleton brand. A very professional outfit and especially being an online retailer they live by their very good and highly regarded reputation and from what I have heard from people who own Canyon's, it's spot on.

I do agree with Vickster that if your not handy with a spanner then get a bike from a bike store and use their servicing, however as Mr Smokeysmoo has also rightly said, have a chat with your LBS and let them know your plans. ie You will buy a Canyon but would like them to do the servicing, mechanical's and tweaks etc.

 

[swh1]

Really useful help! Thanks! Would a carbon frame be more advisable?

 

[smokeysmoo]

Thanks for the advice! Will go to my LBS and check it out!

FWIW I've had 3 bikes from Wiggle in the past. All came well set up and needed minimal fettling to get them dialled in. Just straightened the bars, fitted my pedals and checked the tyre pressures. The saddle was virtually spot on as well because they asked for your in seam measurement on the order form.

Also, if you're happy doing your own basic fettling then don't get hung up 'free' 6 week services either, I've never taken a bike back for one TBH. It's very basic stuff and doesn't affect your warranty. Out of curiosity ask them how much they'll knock off if you don't have it, I'll bet it's nowt

All said and done I'd rather buy from an LBS, it's a far nicer experience than dealing with remote servers and faceless emails.

 

[ianrauk]

Really useful help! Thanks! Would a carbon frame be more advisable?

Well what do you wan't?
You would be hard pressed to tell the difference these days.

 

[swh1]

Thanks smokeysmoo! well in most cases carbon! But as the alu caynon comes out lighter and better groupset is that better than carbon! But then plan to upgrade I suppose carbon is better?

 

[smokeysmoo]

Thanks smokeysmoo! well in most cases carbon! But as the alu caynon comes out lighter and better groupset is that better than carbon! But then plan to upgrade I suppose carbon is better?

No problem. If you don't mind me saying though it does sound as though you're making the classic mistake of presuming carbon is an upgrade over alu.

For fear of sounding like a stuck record, it isn't. It's just another material from which bicycle frames are manufactured. Some say carbon reduces road buzz over alu, but IME, (and I've owned both, and steel too), I can't say I notice any difference between alu and cf.

If the bike is properly set up then you shouldn't notice anyway. That said a badly set up carbon, steel, Ti or bamboo bike would also not ride nicely, so forget the material and concentrate on the bike you like the look of, and ideally the bike that fits you best and feels the best, because if any of these boxes go unticked the chances are you won't enjoy riding it as much as you should

 

[swh1]

No problem. If you don't me saying though it does sound as though you're making the classic making of presuming carbon is an upgrade over alu.

For fear of sounding like a stuck record, it isn't. It's just another material from which bicycle frames are manufactured. Some say carbon reduces road buzz over alu, but IME, (and I've owned both, and steel too), I can't say I notice any difference between alu and cf.

If the bike is properly set up then you shouldn't notice anyway. That said a badly set up carbon, steel, Ti or bamboo bike would also not ride nicely, so forget the material and concentrate on the bike you like the look of, and ideally the bike that fits you best and feels the best, because if any of these boxes go unticked the chances are you won't enjoy riding it as much as you should

Thank you!! Due to limited knowledge I just wanted to try and cover all bases! I now actually have good idea of what I'm going to do! Hopefully an post some pictures once I get it sorted!

 

[smokeysmoo]

Hopefully post some pictures once I get it sorted!

You'd better or the CC mafia will kill ya

 

[vickster]

There's a review of the carbon canyon in this months cycling active, got 94/100...if you want to read

What do you ride at the moment? These are pretty race oriented bikes if that's what you want whatever the material

 

[swh1]

Will have to get that! I'm riding a b'rwin triban 3! It's very cheap but I absolutly love it and its treating me very well! But want an upgrade and start riding more seriously!

 

[vickster]

Why can't you ride the triban seriously? An expensive bike won't necessarily offer benefits unless you mean racing?

(I'm playing slight Devils advocate here)

 

[swh1]

No I fully understand! And I have no intentions of getting rid of my triban! For what I paid for it, and how it's performed I am over the moon! I would recommend it to anyone!!
It's more a treat, and also I would like to enter some races when I have more practise under my belt!