|
New bike: carbon or alu, triple or compact
|
| dienblad |
Posted on 16-06-2012 15:22
|
Classics Specialist
Posts: 3772
Joined: 10-09-2010
PCM$: 200.00
|
Hey guys,
I'm going to be me a new road bike later this year, and there are a few questions about it, what to choose.
But first, this is my situattion and what I want:
- I bought my forst road bike 2 years ago, a Giant Defy ltd, alu frame, carbon front fork, Sora-group (so othing special, wanted to see first how much I'd like it).
- Last year, I rode 2000km in a year. This year will be a bit more.
- Now I ride mostly on flat roads or small hills (max. height difference 80m per climb) For the Dutch people: Utrechtse Heuvelrug and Veluwezoom. Average speed (when I ride alone) is almost always between 26 and 28 km/h, doesn't matter if I ride 25km or 125km.
- I want to start riding in the mountains 1-2 times a year
- The bike / brand I've set my eyes on, is Cube.
- I'm 178cm and between 80 and 83 kg.
These are the questions:
- Compact or Triple? I know that triples are for loosers (  ), but I probably need that lighter gear for the climbing part. The owner of the local bikeshop (he knows what he's talking about) advices me to get a triple.
- Carbon or alu? I know alu is less stif, and better to use when you have back problems (which I don't). But it's heavier than carbon.
I've got 3 bikes on my mind:
The alu-one (about €1600)
https://www.cube.eu/en/road/pro/agree-...agree-pro/
The cheaper alu-one (about €1100)
https://www.cube.eu/en/road/performanc...oton-race/
The carbon one (about €1700)
https://www.cube.eu/en/road/pro-comp/a...e-gtc-pro/
What would you recommend? What is the wisest to do for me?
|
| |
|
|
| felix_29 |
Posted on 16-06-2012 15:42
|
Classics Specialist
Posts: 3054
Joined: 08-08-2009
PCM$: 200.00
|
I have a test with the alu bike for 1600€. Good choice, although the comfort is bad (due to the seat post) and the brakes aren´t on Ultegra niveau but other than that it´s a really good bike.
Definatly go for a compact crankset and a 12-28 cassete. Better shifting, lighter and the gear ratio for the smallest gear isn´t much bigger compared to bike with triple gear.
The alu bike has the better components and should be the best choice for now. If you planned to put some more money into a bike next year, you should buy the carbon bike and update it with a new wheelset, new crankset etc.
|
| |
|
|
| johannes-w |
Posted on 16-06-2012 16:09
|
Breakaway Specialist
Posts: 833
Joined: 24-04-2009
PCM$: 200.00
|
well i am far from being a real expert, but the second bike(the cheaper one) has mixed components, so has the carbon bike, from the 105 and ultegra groups and i think that is something one normally does not really recommend because the parts dont work as well together as when its all the same group - also ultegra only is the better quality of course. 
and for the choice between alu and carbon i personally think its more a question of taste& price in that price area, as you normally get either a carbon frame or better components and in my opinion the components are a bigger factor than the frame
so probably the alu bike would be the best choice
by the way i have a alu bike with 105 group right now since 4 years and i am looking out for new bikes around that price too so if you buy either one of them a short feedback would be cool
Edited by johannes-w on 16-06-2012 16:11
|
| |
|
|
| johannes-w |
Posted on 16-06-2012 16:26
|
Breakaway Specialist
Posts: 833
Joined: 24-04-2009
PCM$: 200.00
|
by the way if you are not totally sure you want a cube bike you should have a look at canyon bikes
in the bike magazine i am reading they have won quite a few tests with their bikes they seem to put very good components on the bikes for a very fair price |
| |
|
|
| dienblad |
Posted on 16-06-2012 16:28
|
Classics Specialist
Posts: 3772
Joined: 10-09-2010
PCM$: 200.00
|
johannes-w wrote:
by the way if you are not totally sure you want a cube bike you should have a look at canyon bikes
in the bike magazine i am reading they have won quite a few tests with their bikes they seem to put very good components on the bikes for a very fair price
I'm 95% sure about Cube. Personally, I don't like the Canyon bikes, the way they look... But that's my favour.
|
| |
|
|
| johannes-w |
Posted on 16-06-2012 21:24
|
Breakaway Specialist
Posts: 833
Joined: 24-04-2009
PCM$: 200.00
|
Sorry for that comment then i hope the rest was at least a little helpful |
| |
|
|
| solano |
Posted on 17-06-2012 00:41
|
Stagiare
Posts: 181
Joined: 06-07-2009
PCM$: 200.00
|
I bought a Trek carbon bike, with a compact Ultegra groupset.
I wish I'd chosen a triple chainset as my knee problem means that I struggle up hills in my lowest gear. I hardly ever use my highest gear.
You might find a compact is OK for you. I guess it depends on your fitness. |
| |
|
|
| Maximka |
Posted on 17-06-2012 07:26
|
Sprinter
Posts: 1902
Joined: 22-10-2007
PCM$: 200.00
|
I made my carbon bike myself. I bought a frameset from chineese workgroup by e-bay, and all the other things (Shimano Tiagra/105) from chainreaction. I painted frame so it look like Colnago.
I am very happy, because my bike cost me around 1200 euros
Well, I have 105 compact on it and I think it's more than enough with 12-27 on rear wheel
Edited by Maximka on 17-06-2012 07:27
|
| |
|
|
| dienblad |
Posted on 19-06-2012 16:12
|
Classics Specialist
Posts: 3772
Joined: 10-09-2010
PCM$: 200.00
|
Bought it..... When I want something, I have to buy it, can't help it....
I'v bought the carbon one: <a href="https://www.cube.eu/en/road/...c-pro/.
Made a nice deal to trade in my old one (Giant Defy 0 limited black, 2010), so the price dropped €350...
It'll be ready tomorrow, can't wait to ride it!!!
Ow, got the triple, as I really believe that with my fitnes and weight, the longer climbs will be terrible with a compact, and I don't feel like changing gears too much...
|
| |
|
|
| solano |
Posted on 19-06-2012 16:46
|
Stagiare
Posts: 181
Joined: 06-07-2009
PCM$: 200.00
|
It looks good. I'm sure you'll have fun with it.
I'm looking to get a triple chainset bike through the Bike to Work scheme but the maximum is £1000 which makes your bike a little too expensive for me. |
| |
|
|
| Ad Bot |
Posted on 25-11-2024 04:39
|
Bot Agent
Posts: Countless
Joined: 23.11.09
|
|
| IP: None |
|
|
| johannes-w |
Posted on 20-06-2012 09:35
|
Breakaway Specialist
Posts: 833
Joined: 24-04-2009
PCM$: 200.00
|
dienblad wrote:
Bought it..... When I want something, I have to buy it, can't help it....
I'v bought the carbon one: <a href="https://www.cube.eu/en/road/...c-pro/.
Made a nice deal to trade in my old one (Giant Defy 0 limited black, 2010), so the price dropped €350...
It'll be ready tomorrow, can't wait to ride it!!!
Ow, got the triple, as I really believe that with my fitnes and weight, the longer climbs will be terrible with a compact, and I don't feel like changing gears too much...
nice to hear - i hope you will ride many thousands of great kilometres with it |
| |
|
