Exponential benefits?

[hantsbike]

Hello.

I'm primarily a road cyclist in Hampshire/Surrey/Wiltshire which is "rolling" rather than stiff climbs.

I bought an alloy frame bike from Halfords (Carrera) a couple of years ago and it served me well.

I bought an Orbea Avant M40, full carbon bike over the winter and now I've been using it, I doubt I'll go back to the Carrera!

The Orbea is around 4/5 times the price of the Carrera.

Question: If I pay 4 times the price of the Orbea for my next machine, is there a matching benefit in terms of performance/ride/etc?

 

[ColinJ]

No!

The 'law of diminishing returns' sets in at a fairly low price. A £500 bike would probably be MUCH better than a £125 bike. A £2,000 bike would be SIGNIFICANTLY better than the £500 bike. An £8,000 bike would only be SLIGHTLY better the £2,000 bike. The chances are that a £32,000 bike would only be of any extra benefit to somebody trying to beat a world record and desperate for every last tenth of a second of gain.

 

[vickster]

Indeed. You could spend some money upgrading bits you might consider a weak point on the Orbea if any

Then it might be worth getting some coaching if you harbour performance based ambitions. Are you already leading the fast group in your club etc?

Otherwise, spend the cash on a steel or titanium tourer and hit the roads in search of new and challenging terrain

 

[hantsbike]

No!

The 'law of diminishing returns' sets in at a fairly low price. A £500 bike would probably be MUCH better than a £125 bike. A £2,000 bike would be SIGNIFICANTLY better than the £500 bike. An £8,000 bike would only be SLIGHTLY better the £2,000 bike. The chances are that a £32,000 bike would only be of any extra benefit to somebody trying to beat a world record and desperate for every last tenth of a second of gain.

Thanks for the insight.

I have a significant birthday this year and my wife is considering splashing out on a £5k or so bike (Cervelo or perhaps Pinnarello) but given the Orbea was circa £1,500 I think that the cash might be better spent on a family holiday.

 

[hantsbike]

Indeed. You could spend some money upgrading bits you might consider a weak point on the Orbea if any

Then it might be worth getting some coaching if you harbour performance based ambitions. Are you already leading the fast group in your club etc?

Otherwise, spend the cash on a steel or titanium tourer and hit the roads in search of new and challenging terrain

Thanks. I don't belong to a club at all as the times etc don't really mesh with work/family patterns. I was in a club about 30+ years ago and average on a good day. I can't believe that advancing years has improved that!

perhaps I'll stick with the Orbea for a while longer.

 

[MichaelW2]

No!

The 'law of diminishing returns' sets in at a fairly low price. A £500 bike would probably be MUCH better than a £125 bike. A £2,000 bike would be SIGNIFICANTLY better than the £500 bike. An £8,000 bike would only be SLIGHTLY better the £2,000 bike. The chances are that a £32,000 bike would only be of any extra benefit to somebody trying to beat a world record and desperate for every last tenth of a second of gain.

You would really have to question a $64,000 bike.

 

[Milkfloat]

If you love your Orbea, you could use the Carrera in filthy weather and keep the Orbea for best. I love riding my winter bike, it reminds me that I really love my best bike.

 

[ColinJ]

You would really have to question a $64,000 bike.

And the answer to the sixty four thousand dollar question would (probably) be ...


... NO!

 

[Elswick Cotterpin]

+1 for the holiday.