Would it benefit me to upgrade

[captainhastings]

Hi I have the Carrera TDF Road Bike and in fairness it works well. I do 10 to 15 mile rides on it a few times a week but would like to progress to longer rides. Would it benifit me to spend say 600-700 on a new road bike from my local bike shop. What I am trying to figutre out is would my ride be more comfortable and maybe a tad faster,smoother
I know £600 in bike terms is still low end but compared to the £299 I guess it a step up

Thanks

 

[HJ]

You will defiantly notice a difference between a £299 bike and a £600 bike, you will get some thing that is lighter, with smoother transmission and crisper handling, in short it will be much more fun to ride (if you get a bike the fits you properly)

 

[accountantpete]

For comfort why not stick carbon forks (with alloy steerer) and carbon seatpost on the Carrera?.

 

[MichaelM]

Hi I have the Carrera TDF Road Bike and in fairness it works well. I do 10 to 15 mile rides on it a few times a week but would like to progress to longer rides. Would it benifit me to spend say 600-700 on a new road bike from my local bike shop. What I am trying to figutre out is would my ride be more comfortable and maybe a tad faster,smoother
I know £600 in bike terms is still low end but compared to the £299 I guess it a step up

Thanks

Is it http://www.halfords....tegoryId_165710[/url]
If so, I'd say maybe not. Halfords are a pretty big chain, and can knock out the Carrera bikes pretty cheap. Independant lbs's are great, but they may not be able to compete on price with a big chain, It depends what your lbs is, and what the £600 bike your considering is - it could be much of a muchness to what you allready have.

 

[Ivan Ardon]

Like a lot of people, I've BTDT and spent the money on the "better" bike.

With 20/20 hindsight, it made little actual difference beyond the feel good factor of having a shiny new bike.

Perhaps treat yourself to some top end tyres, and perhaps new wheels. Most £600 bikes are fitted with wheels to meet a price point, rather than being all that special.

 

[Tim Bennet.]

[quotePerhaps treat yourself to some top end tyres, and perhaps new wheels.][/quote]


That's good advice. Spending two hundred and eighty pounds on good hand built wheel and Michelin Pro Race 3 tyres wiil upgrade your bike to a level you still won't get on a £600 bike.

 

[captainhastings]

Thanks every one some food for thought there I was expecting a 100% yea go for it. I rang the shop today and asked if they had a decent road bike about £600 and the reply was yes either a trek or giant. They also said to pop in for a fitting to get a bike that fits me.
MichaelM yes it is the bike you linked too but it is the bigger version which I suspect is bit too big for me as I am 5,8 and I feel a bit stretched on it. If I slide the seat forward too much it puts my legs out of kilter.
I was thinking of popping in the shop tomorrow for a nose but I am not sure if thats a good idea or not
I think my problem is I dont know what to compare my existing bike with having never ridden any other

 

[MichaelM]

Thanks every one some food for thought there I was expecting a 100% yea go for it. I rang the shop today and asked if they had a decent road bike about £600 and the reply was yes either a trek or giant. They also said to pop in for a fitting to get a bike that fits me.
MichaelM yes it is the bike you linked too but it is the bigger version which I suspect is bit too big for me as I am 5,8 and I feel a bit stretched on it. If I slide the seat forward too much it puts my legs out of kilter.
I was thinking of popping in the shop tomorrow for a nose but I am not sure if thats a good idea or not
I think my problem is I dont know what to compare my existing bike with having never ridden any other

I suspect that £500 or so will get you to what you've got now (or similar) http://www.evanscycl...d-bike-ec019545

If it doesn't fit, then I'd say you want a new frame.

If it were me and I had the Carrera and £600, I'd be looking for a second hand Planet X sl frame/fork (you want a med !) and change all my gear over (I don't actually have a Planet X bike, but they are good value). Then I'd get a new set of wheels/tyres. Then depending how much I had left, I'd start upgrading the components.

In my opinion, don't bother upgrading the whole bike, because you're not going to get anything a lot better for £600 (imo).

Other frames to look at: Tifosi, Kinesis.

 

[captainhastings]

I suspect that £500 or so will get you to what you've got now (or similar) http://www.evanscycl...d-bike-ec019545

If it doesn't fit, then I'd say you want a new frame.

If it were me and I had the Carrera and £600, I'd be looking for a second hand Planet X sl frame/fork (you want a med !) and change all my gear over (I don't actually have a Planet X bike, but they are good value). Then I'd get a new set of wheels/tyres. Then depending how much I had left, I'd start upgrading the components.

In my opinion, don't bother upgrading the whole bike, because you're not going to get anything a lot better for £600 (imo).

Other frames to look at: Tifosi, Kinesis.

Thanks Michael so in your opinion this bike
http://www.evanscycles.com/products/specialized/allez-sport-double-2010-road-bike-ec019409
is not much better than what I have now ?
I am not too familiar with the mechanics of bikes as far as what is good and what is not

 

[MichaelM]

Thanks Michael so in your opinion this bike
http://www.evanscycl...d-bike-ec019409
is not much better than what I have now ?
I am not too familiar with the mechanics of bikes as far as what is good and what is not

Well you'd be getting a frame that fits, and changing from 8 speed 2300 groupset to 9 speed sora. The hubs though are unbranded and the tyres are wire beaded.

I'm just saying that if it were my bike/cash, I'd be looking for a bargain frame with good wheels/tyres (I picked up a Surly cross check with forks/headset for £150 after posting a wanted ad). I do though have all the tools necessary and enjoy fettling. It would be a good experience swapping the parts over - there's no end of advice available on the net.

 

[MichaelM]

I'm sure that I've got more important things to be doing than playing "fantasy cycle shopper", but just for fun:

Have a look at Browser's nice bike:
http://www.cyclechat...age__hl__tifosi

Frame £175.95, forks £90.95 (the race type frame is the same price)
http://www.parker-in...ame---Grey.html

Or maybe you'd prefer carbon seatstays for £294.95:
http://www.parker-in...ning-Frame.html

Set of planet X model B wheels for £125.

That's £400 spent on a frame that fits and a good set of wheels (allow a little more for new cables, tyres if you want, headset). Depending on budget, 105 10 speed shifters are £150 at planet x,£33 for cassette, £20 for chain.

That's my fantasy shopping done for the day, I'd better go and give my bike a clean now after yesterdays wet ride.

Michael

 

[captainhastings]

I'm sure that I've got more important things to be doing than playing "fantasy cycle shopper", but just for fun:

Have a look at Browser's nice bike:
http://www.cyclechat...age__hl__tifosi

Frame £175.95, forks £90.95 (the race type frame is the same price)
http://www.parker-in...ame---Grey.html

Or maybe you'd prefer carbon seatstays for £294.95:
http://www.parker-in...ning-Frame.html

Set of planet X model B wheels for £125.

That's £400 spent on a frame that fits and a good set of wheels (allow a little more for new cables, tyres if you want, headset). Depending on budget, 105 10 speed shifters are £150 at planet x,£33 for cassette, £20 for chain.

That's my fantasy shopping done for the day, I'd better go and give my bike a clean now after yesterdays wet ride.

Michael

Thanks Michael thats given me an idea whats involved. Did the first major upgrade today in the form of a shorter bar stem and boy what a difference that made the bike now feels comfy and after a 15 mile trip to town and back no bad back and knackered arms. Don't know why I didnt do it before took a you tube video on how to fit your bike for the penny to drop

 

[Fab Foodie]

Thanks Michael thats given me an idea whats involved. Did the first major upgrade today in the form of a shorter bar stem and boy what a difference that made the bike now feels comfy and after a 15 mile trip to town and back no bad back and knackered arms. Don't know why I didnt do it before took a you tube video on how to fit your bike for the penny to drop

Good bike fit ninfo here...

http://www.peterwhitecycles.com/fitting.htm

 

[captainhastings]

mmmm 56 cm felt Z85 with for £700 local to me. Carbon forks too. Wonder if its worth taking a look only a few weeks old but the guy dont like it for some reason
Then again its a lot of money for no aftercare or backup unless the warranty can be transfered. Might give the chap a ring tomorrow