Would it benefit me to upgrade

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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

Cycling in Scotland
Location
Auld Reekie
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) :thumbsup:
 

MichaelM

Guru
Location
Tayside
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

Well-Known Member
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.

Entirely Average Member
Location
S of Kendal
[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.
 
OP
OP
captainhastings
Location
West Wales
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 :smile:
I think my problem is I dont know what to compare my existing bike with having never ridden any other
 

MichaelM

Guru
Location
Tayside
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 :smile:
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.
 
OP
OP
captainhastings
Location
West Wales
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

Guru
Location
Tayside
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

Guru
Location
Tayside
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
 
OP
OP
captainhastings
Location
West Wales
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

hanging-on in quiet desperation ...
Location
Kirton, Devon.
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
 
OP
OP
captainhastings
Location
West Wales
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
 
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