Help me rid myself of money!

[Cos18]

Good evening all, I'm hoping to get some clarity on a first world problem I'm having. I'm after a new road bike, with a budget of around £1000 and a carbon frame (or an alu which is just as light)

I'm currently leaning towards a Planet X pro carbon due to the great spec for the money, linked here

Scrolling down the page I came across the RT-57 which is around £100 more (with SRAM Rival groupset, which is an option on the pro carbon) see here

Is the extra 100 worth it/actually going to be noticeable?

Any help would be appreciated, or other bike suggestions. I'm 6ft 1 and around 75kg if that helps, and I'll be using the bike for triathlons and sportives

[GaryGlitter]

I've got a Pro Carbon with Rival (and a Team ALU).

The RT57 is listed as having Force mechs and brakes, which is a no-brainer upgrade for the extra £100. Don't be surprised if the spec changes every day though!

Pro Carbon is more relaxed shape than the RT57.

Edit: add the RT57 to your basket and the customise option shows the full spec. Same as the Pro.

Edited by GaryGlitter on Saturday 30th November 08:36

[anonymous-user]

Easily worth the extra cash, buy it before you get swamped with options that vary little but cause mass confusion!

[Gizmoish]

Get it bought.

[Cos18]

So what makes it that much better than the pro carbon?

[anonymous-user]

Better frame, better groupset components, better brake, BB30 bottom bracket, better wheels...

[DubaiJohn]

That RT57 looks very nice indeed. I have only been riding for about 8 weeks and am currently doing about 80 miles a weekend on a Merida (alu frame, carbon forks and 105 group set)

That looks like a great upgrade in time for my 40th birthday in Jan...just need to convince the Mrs now as that is how I justified the Audi RS6 I bought last week.

Price looks great too, one of the guys I ride with has just a full carbon Felt with the di gears which cost an arm and a leg

[bakerstreet]

I've test ridden bikes with Rival and Force brakes and the force brakes are worth paying the extra for. I currently ride a force equipped Giant. SRAM isn't the smoothest gear shift, but it is pretty quick and if its all new to you, it really won't matter

At £1000 to spend, Planet X really is a good bet. As others have said, I'd recommend the RT-57 over the Pro Carbon. I was surprised how heavy the Pro Carbon felt when I picked it up.

[GaryGlitter]

pablo said:

Better frame, better groupset components, better brake, BB30 bottom bracket, better wheels...

Marginally, wrong, wrong, wrong, wrong. Did you check the specs? As I said, click through to buy and there's no Force.

Slightly better frame with more aggresive geo, but OP is looking to do sportives so the Pro Carbon would possible suit more as the head tube is taller.

Same components, same brakes/shifters/mechs/cockpit.

BB30 shell, but it uses a GXP BB.

Wheels, nothing in it between the 501 and the 30s except the 501s actually weigh less.

And there's almost nothing in them weight wise, ounces if that.

Edited by GaryGlitter on Sunday 1st December 12:10

[anonymous-user]

Sorry I was comparing the £999 RT57 with the £1100 RT57.....

[mcelliott]

I bought the Planet X Carbon Pro two years ago but it was equipped with Campag Athena. The only upgrades I added were (for little expense) a carbon crankset and Campag Zonda wheels. The bike is absolutely breathtaking in terms of overall package - you simply cannot better it for value for money. I know it's of very little relevance to this topic but in the summer I did a crit on it and all the very best riders in the region turned up on much more expensive bikes - 2 or 3 times as much at least, and I ended up contesting the sprint for first place. The bike was a complete revelation.