alternative to a Carrera Vanquish??

[roscco]

Hi,


i currently have a Carrera Vanquish road bike, spec:

Frame Material: Aluminium <li>Frame Size: 21-22 <li>Gears: 16-20 <li>Gender: Mens <li>Suspension: Rigid <li>Frame Size (cm): 51 - 54 <li>Brake Type: Dual Pivot Caliper Brake <li>Chainset: Truvativ Tour Compact <li>Forks: Lightweight carbon fibre fork with 1-1/8 alloy steerer <li>Frame Colour: Black and Red <li>Frame-: Lightweight double butted 7005 semi compact Aluminium <li>Front Brake: Shimano Tiagra Lever, Tektro R720 dual pivot caliper <li>Front Mech: Shimano Sora <li>Gear Shifters: Shimano Tiagra 18 Speed <li>Handle Bars: Kalloy Alloy Oversize 31.8mm drop <li>Headset: Semi Integrated Ahead Set <li>Hubs: Shimano WHR500 Wheelset <li>Number of Gears: 18 <li>Pedals: Wellgo Alloy with Toe Clips (now upgraded to Shimano SPD)<li>Rear Brake: Shimano Tiagra Lever, Tektro R720 dual pivot caliper <li>Rear Mech: Shimano Sora <li>Rims: Shimano WHR500 Wheelset <li>Saddle: Carrera <li>Seatpost: Kalloy Alloy 27.2mm <li>Stem: Kalloy Alloy oversize 31.8mm <li>Tyre size: 700 x 23C <li>Tyres: Continental Ultra Sport <li>Wheel size: 700C



Its done me brilliantly for the last two years but before wear and tear sets in, i fancy a change and wondering if its possible to upgrade to a better spec bike for around £500 -£600? I dont have a great knowledge of the spec, so its listed above in the hope someone will be along who knows their onions and can advice on something better?



Thanks in advance.

 

[vickster]

There are some good deals on Specialized Allez models at the moment - Evans participating I think

 

[vickster]

And actually it's not bad looking and light - don't know if the OP has a store locally though looking at location?

 

[accountantpete]

That's not a bad set up as it is - keep the gear and just change the frame and the wheels.

You should get a really tidy top-end s/h aluminium frame for £200 and a reasonable wheelset (say Fulcrum 5 ) for a bit less.

They will get you a bigger bang for the bucks.

 

[Alembicbassman]

I had a Carrera Valour Large Frame, quite heavy plain gauge tubes, sizing is weird for me. Mine was a large size (I'm 6ft 1) seat tube was fine, but top tube was too long for me. Tried their medium size, but it was too small. I think their large is 60cm equivalent and the medium is 56cm equivalent. I'm in between.

My Raleigh Avanti is a 58cm compact and fits me fine.

This is why you need to try a few bikes before you buy, the geometries can be quite different.

Having owned 2 Carrera road bikes (one flat bar one drop bar) I wouldn't buy another.

The components look good on paper, but the frames and finishing kit tend to be cheaper and heavier than the bigger brands.

Both my Carrera road bikes weighed over 12kg, my Raleigh weighs 9kg

 

[cyberknight]

I had a Carrera Valour Large Frame, quite heavy plain gauge tubes, sizing is weird for me. Mine was a large size (I'm 6ft 1) seat tube was fine, but top tube was too long for me. Tried their medium size, but it was too small. I think their large is 60cm equivalent and the medium is 56cm equivalent. I'm in between.

My Raleigh Avanti is a 58cm compact and fits me fine.

This is why you need to try a few bikes before you buy, the geometries can be quite different.

Having owned 2 Carrera road bikes (one flat bar one drop bar) I wouldn't buy another.

The components look good on paper, but the frames and finishing kit tend to be cheaper and heavier than the bigger brands.

Both my Carrera road bikes weighed over 12kg, my Raleigh weighs 9kg

I think you are not comparing like for like, after a google search i assume you have the over 1k bike and comparing it to a bike costing half as much your are going to get cheaper ,heavier components.

It would be best to compare it to bikes in the price range that the OP paid for the bikes and wants to pay for a newer one.

For instance a specialized allez comes in just short of 10 kg yet comes with only sora shifters compared to the vanquish tiagra shifters, the vanquish comes in at 20 Lbs which is near enough the same weight.

Both are the same price give or take a few quid.


Back to the OP..


If you want to spend around £600 then you are not going to get a better spec unless you shop around for last years model.

If you can push out to £650 you can get the entry level Boardman but that has 9 speed sora rather tha 9 speed tiagra shifters but a better frame and wheels.

Edinburgh cycles have this ..
http://www.edinburgh...=c003155c018341

Might be worth hanging on till later inthe year when the 2012 ranges start coming out and retailers start discounting this years stock.

 

[roscco]

Hi, thanks for taking the time to reply. There are two bikes ive stumbled across.

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/felt-z100-2011/



or

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/battaglin-start-2011/



if anyone has any knowledge of these bikes id be grateful for opinons



but im also tempted by the last posts suggestion and wait for the sales when next years models come out.



Thanks again

 

[vickster]

Specialized Allez 2011s - a few options here around budget

http://www.fudgescyc...133746&o=133746
http://www.fudgescyc...133814&o=133814
http://www.fudgescyc...133869&o=133869

Evans are also doing them http://www.evanscycles.com/search.h...e_to&query=allez&search=All&sort_by&x=22&y=-1 There is a branch in Bristol

 

[Alembicbassman]

I think you are not comparing like for like, after a google search i assume you have the over 1k bike and comparing it to a bike costing half as much your are going to get cheaper ,heavier components.

It would be best to compare it to bikes in the price range that the OP paid for the bikes and wants to pay for a newer one.

For instance a specialized allez comes in just short of 10 kg yet comes with only sora shifters compared to the vanquish tiagra shifters, the vanquish comes in at 20 Lbs which is near enough the same weight.


Might be worth hanging on till later inthe year when the 2012 ranges start coming out and retailers start discounting this years stock.

+1 My Avanti U6 Pro 2008 Model was had for £494 Bought in Feb 2009 (winter is the best time to buy a bike)

 

[roscco]

After a long chat with the chap in the LBS i opted for http://www.tredz.co.uk/.Scott-Speed..._medium=Product_Search&utm_campaign=Froogle01



He assures me that it is a great improvement from my trusty ol Vanquish, time will tell but it takes a while getting used to a tripple at the front!

 

[2Loose]

[QUOTE 1439949"]
Decathlon do an alu/carbon mix road bike for £499.
[/quote]

http://www.decathlon.co.uk/EN/triban-5-172072740/

A mate has just bought one - stunning spec for the price.

 

[Muttley]

I bought the Carrera vanquish earlier in the year and later next year I'm gonna buy a set of new wheels and eventually get a better frame,the rest of the parts are ok.