Bike questions
Discussion
Hi guys
Had been using an old Carrera virago for commuting and weekend leisure cycling and very much enjoyed it, right up to the point it got stolen 2 weeks ago.
So, I am now in the position of needing / wanting a new bike. I have the ability of using cycle to work so am looking at the £1k level and have narrowed it down to either Ribble Gran fondo or Planet X. I know I could easliy go cheaper etc as it will never be raced but I like the carbon frame idea, if only for pub bragging rights.
At the risk of looking and sounding like a total plum, I also really like the look of / want some carbon rims and planet X have some 52mm carbon clinchers which I am considering throwing into the pot.
I fully understand that I will then become a MAMIL with all the gear and no idea, however is there any fundamental reason why the carbon rims would be a spectacularly bad idea? They are probably heavier and horrific in a cross wind however they do look awesome. (You can gauge my childish thought process here).
Also, how big a deal is the difference in groupsets, really? Are the more expensive ones longer lasting or significantly lighter or just nicer feeling?
Sorry for asking such basic questions.
Had been using an old Carrera virago for commuting and weekend leisure cycling and very much enjoyed it, right up to the point it got stolen 2 weeks ago.
So, I am now in the position of needing / wanting a new bike. I have the ability of using cycle to work so am looking at the £1k level and have narrowed it down to either Ribble Gran fondo or Planet X. I know I could easliy go cheaper etc as it will never be raced but I like the carbon frame idea, if only for pub bragging rights.
At the risk of looking and sounding like a total plum, I also really like the look of / want some carbon rims and planet X have some 52mm carbon clinchers which I am considering throwing into the pot.
I fully understand that I will then become a MAMIL with all the gear and no idea, however is there any fundamental reason why the carbon rims would be a spectacularly bad idea? They are probably heavier and horrific in a cross wind however they do look awesome. (You can gauge my childish thought process here).
Also, how big a deal is the difference in groupsets, really? Are the more expensive ones longer lasting or significantly lighter or just nicer feeling?
Sorry for asking such basic questions.
You wont get 50mm carbon clinchers on the bike for under £1k and to be honest, they can be a nightmare in windy conditions. A solid pair of fulcrum 5s or campag sciroccos is a better route to take.
As for groupsets, the higher up you go, the more refined the shifting, the lighter the components and the better quality of parts used.
However, if I said that 10 speed Tiagra is very good (which it is!), not only does it say a lot about the quality of the lower end of the food chain, it also lets you know just how good the top end is...
Ribble and Planet X are great bike, they cut out the middle men but the snobs will claim its cheap carbon from the backstreets of taiwan because they darent accept the same factories also made their Specialised, Trek or Giant for twice the price!...
I spent a bit of time chatting to P X about the build process for the N2A and their level of input into the frame was staggering.
As for groupsets, the higher up you go, the more refined the shifting, the lighter the components and the better quality of parts used.
However, if I said that 10 speed Tiagra is very good (which it is!), not only does it say a lot about the quality of the lower end of the food chain, it also lets you know just how good the top end is...
Ribble and Planet X are great bike, they cut out the middle men but the snobs will claim its cheap carbon from the backstreets of taiwan because they darent accept the same factories also made their Specialised, Trek or Giant for twice the price!...
I spent a bit of time chatting to P X about the build process for the N2A and their level of input into the frame was staggering.Cactussed said:
sorry, yes, the wheels would be extra but I just fancy some (probably for all the wrong reasons). Presuming they are not super fragile or anything daft?
The pros ride carbon wheels to Roubaix. Ok, so they're essentially scrap afterwards, but they won't disintegrate at the first speed hump.
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