Upgrade groupset, replace or get additional bike
Discussion
OK- so I got into road biking 3 years ago; via a good deal on a 2015 Cube Peloton Pro. The reason I bought a triple was that it was such a good offer for the reason that nobody wanted it. It is a mix of 105 & Tiagra gear., running at 3x10
A great bike that I enjoy riding- although I do find the triple chainset rather ungainly. Due to having a young child, I have not been out on it nearly as much as I would like- probably amassing c. 1250 miles total. My typical rides are normally 30-40 miles, the longest I have racked up is a 75 mile Sportive.
Anyway, that is set to change this year as I have signed up to do the London 2 Paris in September with Cure Leukemia. 500km over 4 days, I have started training and expect my total mileage this year to be in excess of 1500.
So, I popped into my local bike shop on Saturday to see what I can do about the gearing. Either way, I would like to go to a slightly longer gearing set-up. We had quite a lengthy discussion on 3 options:-
1. Replace 50 teeth for 52 on the front- = heavily compromised.
2. Replace triple chainset for a twin. Would also require new front derailleur and shifter on LHS. Comes out about £275 fitted.
3. Replace whole groupset for complete 105 2x11. Comes in c. £500 fitted.
So, whilst thinking about the above- I have started considering a new bike. Mine is probably worth c. £350 p-ex v. a new Cube.
I am tempted to try Carbon frame and really like the idea of disc brakes. So, I am thinking about A Cube GTC Attain Race Disc. I can get a 2018 mofdel with 25% off for £1350... Ticks all the boxes and even comes with Ultegra.
https://www.paulscycles.co.uk/1400/products/cube-a...
I am also reading good things about the Canyon Endura range and tempted to look there. However, I am a tad nervous about buying without at least sitting on one- also do they do any discounts as I like a good deal!
So, over to you wise folk:-
Upgrade & if-so, which option?
Trade in for new?
Buy a second new bike and keep current one for rubbish weather etc?
Max. budget = £1500- though would rather be closer to £1k. But more than happy to buy a 2018 bike to get a better deal.
Finally- how best to tell the wife????
Sorry for ramble, and thanks in advance!
A great bike that I enjoy riding- although I do find the triple chainset rather ungainly. Due to having a young child, I have not been out on it nearly as much as I would like- probably amassing c. 1250 miles total. My typical rides are normally 30-40 miles, the longest I have racked up is a 75 mile Sportive.
Anyway, that is set to change this year as I have signed up to do the London 2 Paris in September with Cure Leukemia. 500km over 4 days, I have started training and expect my total mileage this year to be in excess of 1500.
So, I popped into my local bike shop on Saturday to see what I can do about the gearing. Either way, I would like to go to a slightly longer gearing set-up. We had quite a lengthy discussion on 3 options:-
1. Replace 50 teeth for 52 on the front- = heavily compromised.
2. Replace triple chainset for a twin. Would also require new front derailleur and shifter on LHS. Comes out about £275 fitted.
3. Replace whole groupset for complete 105 2x11. Comes in c. £500 fitted.
So, whilst thinking about the above- I have started considering a new bike. Mine is probably worth c. £350 p-ex v. a new Cube.
I am tempted to try Carbon frame and really like the idea of disc brakes. So, I am thinking about A Cube GTC Attain Race Disc. I can get a 2018 mofdel with 25% off for £1350... Ticks all the boxes and even comes with Ultegra.
https://www.paulscycles.co.uk/1400/products/cube-a...
I am also reading good things about the Canyon Endura range and tempted to look there. However, I am a tad nervous about buying without at least sitting on one- also do they do any discounts as I like a good deal!
So, over to you wise folk:-
Upgrade & if-so, which option?
Trade in for new?
Buy a second new bike and keep current one for rubbish weather etc?
Max. budget = £1500- though would rather be closer to £1k. But more than happy to buy a 2018 bike to get a better deal.
Finally- how best to tell the wife????
Sorry for ramble, and thanks in advance!
Surely it's time for a new bike 
In seriousness though, I think considering the value of the bike, and the fact you are drawn to disc brakes (my top end road bike has discs, my other/older bike has rim brakes....I won't ever be getting a rim brake equipped bike again) and the cost to fit a new groupset is quite a lot, I'd be inclined to get a whole new bike.
Canyon are really good, just make sure you get the right size and get it fitted for you and I'm sure it'll be fine. They are pretty good value too!
In seriousness though, I think considering the value of the bike, and the fact you are drawn to disc brakes (my top end road bike has discs, my other/older bike has rim brakes....I won't ever be getting a rim brake equipped bike again) and the cost to fit a new groupset is quite a lot, I'd be inclined to get a whole new bike.
Canyon are really good, just make sure you get the right size and get it fitted for you and I'm sure it'll be fine. They are pretty good value too!
Given how few miles you've done, why change at all (except because you want to of course)
If you're unfit a triple won't hurt you and unless you're racing you don't need a 52. I have a 52/36 on my bike but I can't say it's honestly made much difference.from my previous 50/34.
If it was me I'd just get out and ride. As you get more miles and more experience you'll be better placed to decide what you need.
If however you just want a new bike, who am I to say no? I have 5.
If you're unfit a triple won't hurt you and unless you're racing you don't need a 52. I have a 52/36 on my bike but I can't say it's honestly made much difference.from my previous 50/34.
If it was me I'd just get out and ride. As you get more miles and more experience you'll be better placed to decide what you need.
If however you just want a new bike, who am I to say no? I have 5.
Oops- went into bike shop again yesterday...
Tried the Cube as a 56, same size as current bike. They then suggested trying a 58 (I'm 5'11"). That 2cm difference felt awesome and I left with an empty pocket... Picking up on Saturday and have already managed to sell my Peloton to a friend of a friend who is keen to have a go at road biking- result!
Collect on Saturday... Genuinely excited- more about the discs than anything else as nearly sh*t myself last time out by coming very close to the rear of a Range Rover that had overtaken me on a downhill back lane before suddenly pulling over itself.
Tried the Cube as a 56, same size as current bike. They then suggested trying a 58 (I'm 5'11"). That 2cm difference felt awesome and I left with an empty pocket... Picking up on Saturday and have already managed to sell my Peloton to a friend of a friend who is keen to have a go at road biking- result!
Collect on Saturday... Genuinely excited- more about the discs than anything else as nearly sh*t myself last time out by coming very close to the rear of a Range Rover that had overtaken me on a downhill back lane before suddenly pulling over itself.
Spudmaster said:
Oops- went into bike shop again yesterday...
Tried the Cube as a 56, same size as current bike. They then suggested trying a 58 (I'm 5'11"). That 2cm difference felt awesome and I left with an empty pocket... Picking up on Saturday and have already managed to sell my Peloton to a friend of a friend who is keen to have a go at road biking- result!
Collect on Saturday... Genuinely excited- more about the discs than anything else as nearly sh*t myself last time out by coming very close to the rear of a Range Rover that had overtaken me on a downhill back lane before suddenly pulling over itself.
58" sounds big for 5'11'.Tried the Cube as a 56, same size as current bike. They then suggested trying a 58 (I'm 5'11"). That 2cm difference felt awesome and I left with an empty pocket... Picking up on Saturday and have already managed to sell my Peloton to a friend of a friend who is keen to have a go at road biking- result!
Collect on Saturday... Genuinely excited- more about the discs than anything else as nearly sh*t myself last time out by coming very close to the rear of a Range Rover that had overtaken me on a downhill back lane before suddenly pulling over itself.
I'm 5'10' and have a 54" Specilized.
g7jhp said:
Spudmaster said:
Oops- went into bike shop again yesterday...
Tried the Cube as a 56, same size as current bike. They then suggested trying a 58 (I'm 5'11"). That 2cm difference felt awesome and I left with an empty pocket... Picking up on Saturday and have already managed to sell my Peloton to a friend of a friend who is keen to have a go at road biking- result!
Collect on Saturday... Genuinely excited- more about the discs than anything else as nearly sh*t myself last time out by coming very close to the rear of a Range Rover that had overtaken me on a downhill back lane before suddenly pulling over itself.
58" sounds big for 5'11'.Tried the Cube as a 56, same size as current bike. They then suggested trying a 58 (I'm 5'11"). That 2cm difference felt awesome and I left with an empty pocket... Picking up on Saturday and have already managed to sell my Peloton to a friend of a friend who is keen to have a go at road biking- result!
Collect on Saturday... Genuinely excited- more about the discs than anything else as nearly sh*t myself last time out by coming very close to the rear of a Range Rover that had overtaken me on a downhill back lane before suddenly pulling over itself.
I'm 5'10' and have a 54" Specilized.
E65Ross said:
I know some on here have an irrational hatred for discs, but I've got them on my Canyon Aeroad and I won't ever be buying a bike with rim brakes again.
It's not irrational, it's personal preference. My winter bike has disc, my summer bikes are rim braked. Rim brakes are better for me, and except in torrential downpours work better than the discs I have.
Hydraulic may be better but why add more weight if the rims work?
Other viewpoints may differ
keirik said:
E65Ross said:
I know some on here have an irrational hatred for discs, but I've got them on my Canyon Aeroad and I won't ever be buying a bike with rim brakes again.
It's not irrational, it's personal preference. My winter bike has disc, my summer bikes are rim braked. Rim brakes are better for me, and except in torrential downpours work better than the discs I have.
Hydraulic may be better but why add more weight if the rims work?
Other viewpoints may differ
Much easier to replace some metal rotors than to replace a whole rim.And I said some have an irrational hatred....some seemingly do. You....fair enough....but others portray them as being the work of the devil. I'm only a mere 54kgs and the extra weight is negligible to me, so can't imagine anyone around 75kgs+ would really notice. I did an Everesting with them so hardly a big deal IMO
g7jhp said:
58" sounds big for 5'11'.
I'm 5'10' and have a 54" Specilized.
It does sound too big and like they're trying to shift a stock bike. How long is the stem?I'm 5'10' and have a 54" Specilized.
I'm 5'10 / 177cm and ride a 54.5cm. My previous was 56cm and felt the bike shop wanted to get rid of a stock bike to a (then) inexperienced cyclist.
JPJPJP said:
g7jhp said:
58" sounds big for 5'11'.
I'm 5'10' and have a 54" Specilized.
Indeed, I am 6'1" and 56cm is about right usually in most brands. The reach on most 58cm frames is too much of a stretch for meI'm 5'10' and have a 54" Specilized.
To be fair to them. The shop had both 56 & 58 in stock of this bike.
I was automatically going to go with 56 as that is what I have been used to. The chap in the shop who is 1/2" shorter than me suggested I try a 58" as he rides a 58" Cube road bike. Having sat on both, the 58 just felt so much more comfortable..
I was automatically going to go with 56 as that is what I have been used to. The chap in the shop who is 1/2" shorter than me suggested I try a 58" as he rides a 58" Cube road bike. Having sat on both, the 58 just felt so much more comfortable..
Cube 58cm is more like a 56cm in most other brands, they use a virtual seat tube measurement; centre B.B. to top of seat post if it were a horizontal top tube.
In truth it’s a 54cm seat tube centre B.B. to seat clamp and a 56cm centre to centre top tube.
Colnago also use this sizing on both sloping and traditional geometry frames, I ride a 54s and a 58t both have a 56.5cm top tube.
A 58s Colnago is a big bike and would be more like a 62/64 cube.
In truth it’s a 54cm seat tube centre B.B. to seat clamp and a 56cm centre to centre top tube.
Colnago also use this sizing on both sloping and traditional geometry frames, I ride a 54s and a 58t both have a 56.5cm top tube.
A 58s Colnago is a big bike and would be more like a 62/64 cube.
I did all my sportives and competitive riding on a CX bike with slick tyres on it. 46/36 chain rings. Upgraded to 52/42 found it harder with too wide gaps between gears, no riding compact 50/36 i think and its better but still prefer the 46/36, although obviously lose top speed.
Short answer is get a new bike though. This is always the answer.
Short answer is get a new bike though. This is always the answer.
Gassing Station | Pedal Powered | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff