Carbon Road Bike numpty questions.
Discussion
I am after road bike purchase advice.
I have only ever owned and ridden mountain bikes until a year or two ago when I bought a steel road bike - but being a pashley it is only really good for slow and relatively flat rides. I live in Yorkshire and it’s quite hilly. Anyway my mountain bike is in the menders and so a friend lent me his wife’s carbon Planet X road bike so we could ride out together. I can’t believe how quick it is up steep hills - I really fancy getting myself one but I k know absolutely nothing about them.
At 5ft 11 I think I need a large frame. All the road bike terminology and tech is lost on me. Can anyone recommend a carbon road bike that’s ‘good enough’? I am going to buy 2nd hand and so need to focus my search for a reasonably priced bike (sub £1k) on specific models (and specs?)..?
Thanks :-)
I have only ever owned and ridden mountain bikes until a year or two ago when I bought a steel road bike - but being a pashley it is only really good for slow and relatively flat rides. I live in Yorkshire and it’s quite hilly. Anyway my mountain bike is in the menders and so a friend lent me his wife’s carbon Planet X road bike so we could ride out together. I can’t believe how quick it is up steep hills - I really fancy getting myself one but I k know absolutely nothing about them.
At 5ft 11 I think I need a large frame. All the road bike terminology and tech is lost on me. Can anyone recommend a carbon road bike that’s ‘good enough’? I am going to buy 2nd hand and so need to focus my search for a reasonably priced bike (sub £1k) on specific models (and specs?)..?
Thanks :-)
OK, I'll try to help! Road bikes fall into a few broad categories - it would be useful to know what you'd be thinking of using it for.
'Race' bikes - e.g. Specialized tarmac. Aim is generally to go fast and be light. Light, sometimes a bit harsh to ride, great handling. Probably best to ride fast in hilly terrain.
'Aero' bikes - e.g. Specialized venge. Aim is to go as fast as possible, usually a bit heavier than Race bikes. Best to ride fast on the flat.
'Endurance' bikes - e.g. Specialized roubaix. Aim is to be more comfortable over long distances. Generally a bit heavier than race bikes, but focussed on comfort and stability - can often take wider tyres for instance.
'Gravel' bikes - e.g. Specialized diverge. Aim is to have more relaxed riding position, and more tyre clearance to be able to accept off road riding. Opens up taking the bike on fire roads, bike paths, light MTB trails etc. Generally slightly heavier and slower than all of the above, but great for mixed surface riding.
There's some crossover between Race/Aero bikes, but generally most bikes fall into these categories.
In terms of brands, anything from Specialized, Giant, Trek, Cannondale, Merida would probably be a good start.
Most road bikes in this price range will come with Shimano groupsets. The Hierarchy (best downwards) is Dura Ace > Ultegra > 105 > Tiagra. There are groupsets below this, but at £1000, I'd try to get Tiagra at a minimum. I have Tiagra on my winter bike and Ultegra DI2 (electronic) on my good bike, and the Tiagra is perfectly functional, just a bit clunkier (and a lot cheaper!).
Brakes - comes down to personal preference, but I'd rather have hydraulic discs if you could get them, especially if you're doing a lot of steep hills. Rim brakes are fine, but aren't great in the wet. I've never had mechanical discs, but don't hear great reports about them.
For sizing, brands will generally have measurements that allow you to work out the right size for you, and information about what to choose if you are between sizes (bigger size generally more stable, smaller more twitchy and 'chuckable').
'Race' bikes - e.g. Specialized tarmac. Aim is generally to go fast and be light. Light, sometimes a bit harsh to ride, great handling. Probably best to ride fast in hilly terrain.
'Aero' bikes - e.g. Specialized venge. Aim is to go as fast as possible, usually a bit heavier than Race bikes. Best to ride fast on the flat.
'Endurance' bikes - e.g. Specialized roubaix. Aim is to be more comfortable over long distances. Generally a bit heavier than race bikes, but focussed on comfort and stability - can often take wider tyres for instance.
'Gravel' bikes - e.g. Specialized diverge. Aim is to have more relaxed riding position, and more tyre clearance to be able to accept off road riding. Opens up taking the bike on fire roads, bike paths, light MTB trails etc. Generally slightly heavier and slower than all of the above, but great for mixed surface riding.
There's some crossover between Race/Aero bikes, but generally most bikes fall into these categories.
In terms of brands, anything from Specialized, Giant, Trek, Cannondale, Merida would probably be a good start.
Most road bikes in this price range will come with Shimano groupsets. The Hierarchy (best downwards) is Dura Ace > Ultegra > 105 > Tiagra. There are groupsets below this, but at £1000, I'd try to get Tiagra at a minimum. I have Tiagra on my winter bike and Ultegra DI2 (electronic) on my good bike, and the Tiagra is perfectly functional, just a bit clunkier (and a lot cheaper!).
Brakes - comes down to personal preference, but I'd rather have hydraulic discs if you could get them, especially if you're doing a lot of steep hills. Rim brakes are fine, but aren't great in the wet. I've never had mechanical discs, but don't hear great reports about them.
For sizing, brands will generally have measurements that allow you to work out the right size for you, and information about what to choose if you are between sizes (bigger size generally more stable, smaller more twitchy and 'chuckable').
Great summary. I saw the Q last night and thought "boy where do i start", then chose the wait until the morning when I'm on my pc and it's easier to type.
You can't go wrong with any decent "known" brand and what you get depends on what you want. A basic carbon frame is a perfect start as you will get better components at your price point. if you start looking at getting internally routed cables then you are sacrificing your bike parts for a better frame and marginal gains.
I bought a 2017 Boardman (alum and carbon forks) for £400 with upgraded 105 groupset and used that for a year and prob 2k miles then sold it recently for £450 (with new rear wheel). Only after realising i would carry on did i spend proper money
You can't go wrong with any decent "known" brand and what you get depends on what you want. A basic carbon frame is a perfect start as you will get better components at your price point. if you start looking at getting internally routed cables then you are sacrificing your bike parts for a better frame and marginal gains.
I bought a 2017 Boardman (alum and carbon forks) for £400 with upgraded 105 groupset and used that for a year and prob 2k miles then sold it recently for £450 (with new rear wheel). Only after realising i would carry on did i spend proper money
Edited by TheDrownedApe on Monday 9th August 08:05
This looks like a bit of a bargain at the moment... carbon, 105, really well reviewed. You won't get one new from the retailers.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/334104005950?hash=item4...
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/334104005950?hash=item4...
Dan_1981 said:
This looks like a bit of a bargain at the moment... carbon, 105, really well reviewed. You won't get one new from the retailers.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/334104005950?hash=item4...
yeah jump on thathttps://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/334104005950?hash=item4...
Dan_1981 said:
This looks like a bit of a bargain at the moment... carbon, 105, really well reviewed. You won't get one new from the retailers.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/334104005950?hash=item4...
Yep, that's a good bike for the money, a friend of mine has a Di2 version and can't praise it enough. https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/334104005950?hash=item4...
Gazzab said:
I am after road bike purchase advice.
a friend lent me his wife’s carbon Planet X road bike ..... I can’t believe how quick it is up steep hills
Can anyone recommend a carbon road bike that’s ‘good enough’?
You seem to have answered your own question - get a Planet X with a min 105 groupset (Ultegra or higher would be a bonus). When I was looking for a carbon road bike about 6 or 7 years ago, Planet X were high on my list (possibly very close to the top) but instead I chose to self build as there was a fantastic offer on (at the time) for a Scott Carbon frame from Westbrook Cycles (https://www.westbrookcycles.co.uk/). Also a possibility it to buy an ex 'pro' bike where the teams are selling them off - can sometimes grab a real bargain! I'm not sure how to track these down but there was a thread on here so do some searching and you might be able to find it.a friend lent me his wife’s carbon Planet X road bike ..... I can’t believe how quick it is up steep hills
Can anyone recommend a carbon road bike that’s ‘good enough’?
Edited to add - Mine's a Scott CR1 frame (I didn't get the SL frame as it was sold out before I jumped on the band waggon) - there are a few for sale on eBay - any close by? https://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/i.html?_dcat=177831&...
Edited by S6PNJ on Monday 9th August 09:04
You’d almost certainly enjoy riding a decent Aluminium framed road bike.
I wouldn’t necessarily restrict my
search to exclusively carbon-framed road bikes.
Also, whilst the industry has gone to an 11-speed standard there is absolutely nothing wrong with (for example) running a well set up 2x8 drivetrain. As long as you have a good SPREAD of gears i.e. plenty of low range, you’ll be fine.
Anyway, best of luck.
I wouldn’t necessarily restrict my
search to exclusively carbon-framed road bikes.
Also, whilst the industry has gone to an 11-speed standard there is absolutely nothing wrong with (for example) running a well set up 2x8 drivetrain. As long as you have a good SPREAD of gears i.e. plenty of low range, you’ll be fine.
Anyway, best of luck.
Before COVID, you could get some proper end of line bargains (manufacturers usually release their next year models in the summer) but with the stock issues now that horse has probably bolted. About 3 years ago, I managed to get a brand new Carbon Frame Cube GTC Race with Ultegra for £800 (reduced from £1,600) from Rutland cycles.
Its definitely worth trying some out in person. There are two important measurements in bike sizing beyond the frame size. Stack and reach. Basically how tall and how far away are the handlebars.
A lot of bike manufacturers scale both the same so a tall bike can have a long reach. This has been a problem for me in the past, with long legs and a shorter torso.
Also bikes that aimed as "aero" bikes tend to have a more aggressive geometry which can be uncomfortable for some people, so again worth trying some out
A lot of bike manufacturers scale both the same so a tall bike can have a long reach. This has been a problem for me in the past, with long legs and a shorter torso.
Also bikes that aimed as "aero" bikes tend to have a more aggressive geometry which can be uncomfortable for some people, so again worth trying some out
There is much marketing around aero and climbing, obviously it is in the interest of brands to flog bikes, so they come up with a way of doing so. The reality is that none of them will really make all that much difference, an aero bike may weigh a tiny bit more (but you'll never notice this) and a climbing bike is likely slower down the hill and on the flat due to the lack of aero, also so minute you'll never notice. In summary, you may just buy one that looks pleasant, has decent kit attached to it and that fits you. Though almost any bike can be made to fit someone (within a reasonable range) with stems/seatposts/saddles all being very adjustable etc.
Some more good advice above!
OP, feel free to ask here if you see any bikes you think might suit you.
Chances are someone on here will have the same / similar one, and be able to help you with what it's like to ride, pros and cons, and what to look out for if you're looking it over. The used market is crazy at the moment, but there are still some reasonably priced bikes around. Loads on Facebook / Gumtree where I live, and lots of lockdown 'used twice' sales of pristine bikes. Reputable sellers will be able to give / show you a receipt for the bike.
The Boardman above would be a cracking bike to get started on.
OP, feel free to ask here if you see any bikes you think might suit you.
Chances are someone on here will have the same / similar one, and be able to help you with what it's like to ride, pros and cons, and what to look out for if you're looking it over. The used market is crazy at the moment, but there are still some reasonably priced bikes around. Loads on Facebook / Gumtree where I live, and lots of lockdown 'used twice' sales of pristine bikes. Reputable sellers will be able to give / show you a receipt for the bike.
The Boardman above would be a cracking bike to get started on.
TheDrownedApe said:
Dan_1981 said:
This looks like a bit of a bargain at the moment... carbon, 105, really well reviewed. You won't get one new from the retailers.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/334104005950?hash=item4...
yeah jump on thathttps://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/334104005950?hash=item4...
Ticks the boxes of
Cheap generic frame
Location
Pattern
Poor resolution picture
Approach with caution
I was in a similar position to you OP and recently went from a 1996 Cannondale CAAD5 which was a great bike, but decent parts were getting a little scarce, to a full carbon bike (frame, wheels, bars and saddle stem)
As I'm getting on a bit and am really interested in long distance rides and also live in a hilly area, I went with a more endurance and comfort focussed bike (Giant Defy Advanced) and haven't regretted it. It came fitted with 32mm tyres (tubeless) which I was thinking I'd immediately swap for 28s but to be honest there are advantages to wider tyres in terms of shock absorption and increased confidence on descents. I will probably drop to a 28mm when I need new tyres. I'm 5'10" and a Giant M(edium) is perfect for size, whereas you are on the edge of M or ML size (around 54-56cm in other brands).The key is whether the bike feels right so be prepared to try a few for size and if possible test ride them.
As I'm getting on a bit and am really interested in long distance rides and also live in a hilly area, I went with a more endurance and comfort focussed bike (Giant Defy Advanced) and haven't regretted it. It came fitted with 32mm tyres (tubeless) which I was thinking I'd immediately swap for 28s but to be honest there are advantages to wider tyres in terms of shock absorption and increased confidence on descents. I will probably drop to a 28mm when I need new tyres. I'm 5'10" and a Giant M(edium) is perfect for size, whereas you are on the edge of M or ML size (around 54-56cm in other brands).The key is whether the bike feels right so be prepared to try a few for size and if possible test ride them.
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