Help! Upgrade GT to cheapest Bianchi Need a justification...and on a budget

[StHuck]

Hi, currently have GT GTR Series 4 2009 and very tempted by Bianchi Nirone 7 Xenon Compact 2011. Not a huge price difference ( got the GTR for £440 down from £500) just over a year ago and the Bianchi is £870.

I can't justify a major purchase so need to consider if there enough of a difference to warrant the upgrade or do I keep saving...??

Help! One small shove is all that it would take...

Specs are:

GT

http://www.evanscycl...n&promo=Content

Bianchi

http://www.evanscycl...c025814#answers

Any thoughts?

 

[Rebel Ian]

You don't need a justification for buying a Bianchi! It's in the heart, not the head .

 

[Garz]

I would save the pennies for more of a jump up in quality.

The way I seen it was why go from a £600 bike to a £1000 bike when most parts are just marginally better. However if you push it up a rung and go for say £1500 then the £ gets you far superior parts before the value starts nosediving. When you get to a certain price the components start to get lighter and a wee bit better but for far too much cash.

I would order the priority in frame > wheels > components in what to splash out the most on. You can always upgrade your components as and when they wear out or become affordable.

 

[StHuck]

Thats all I needed...!

 

[StHuck]

Many thanks - much as I 'd love the Bianchi I feel that it is a step up and not a leap up. If £1500 is the level then I will hang on...If i knew it was right then I would have already bought it!

Voice of reason wins!

Steven

 

[Fletch456]

+1 for your thinking StHuck. As I've just bought a new bike part of me says you would enjoy upgrading, though I think it may be much better to wait til you can afford something in the £1500 region. I went from an alu / carbon £700 bike to £2300 Trek Madone 4.7 - found I could afford more than I first thought when I decided I wanted to buy a carbon bike. And I love it - it's so much better than the other bike in so many ways.

 

[Garz]

Just to rub it in like Fletch has...

I went from a £600 boardman (alu with carbon fork) to a £2800 Titanium Enigma (campag groupset). I just would have kicked myself buying a lower costing bike (with slightly better parts) wanting to 'upgrade' again within a year.

 

[Fletch456]

:-D at Garz.

Patience is a virtue they say...

 

[Garz]

I don't think the madone is far off though Fletch

Once the wife gave the green light it was a no brainer. I did my research though before rushing in and spending that kind of money.

 

[Fletch456]

I don't think the madone is far off though Fletch

Once the wife gave the green light it was a no brainer. I did my research though before rushing in and spending that kind of money.

As well as the Enigma? Very nice

Even though the ..patience.....was for StHuck

 

[I like Skol]

StHuck, I have a question to ask looking at this from another perspective and I will explain why in a moment.



Why do you want to upgrade? Is there one area of your current bike that you are particularly unhappy with, handling, weight, reliability, performance? Do you feel that the new 'better' bike will improve your performance or enjoyment (other than the joy of sitting astride a machine you love). Are parts of the bike getting worn, is it a case of spend money on sorting the old bike or put that money to a new one and move on?

The reason I ask is that I am quite keen on the GT GTR's myself, either the 4 or being swayed towards the 3 and I would like to know if they are a good bike that are a joy to own because if I buy it would be a luxury not a necessity so I would want to feel pretty damn good riding it instead of my hybrid. I would be keeping the hybrid for the mundane day-to-day stuff (and the MTB for the rough stuff) but the GTR would be a good sunny day bike to put a smile on my face (not that I don't enjoy the hybrid).

 

[Trickydicky]

The advantage i have found with carbon is only on the longer cycles and the event cycling due to its reduced weight and it is far more comfortable. Previously before i bought my current bike i was on aluminum and i would get off my bike after a 30 mile cycle with sore elbows and sholders, but i did a 60 mile cycle on saterday and happily got back on my bike the next day with no akes or pain. (Only bought new bike a month ago so not much change in my body fitness or weight).

+1 to weight for a budget of 1500+, it will become all clear after u have had ur first ride on it. I walked into my bike shop in potters bar and he showed me some bikes but turned round to me, this was november time i had a budget of £1000 and he said to be honest he said come back with more money and he will custom build for 1500, so that is what i did, and i do not regret it one bit.

Rich

 

[Fletch456]

The advantage i have found with carbon is only on the longer cycles and the event cycling due to its reduced weight and it is far more comfortable. Previously before i bought my current bike i was on aluminum and i would get off my bike after a 30 mile cycle with sore elbows and sholders, but i did a 60 mile cycle on saterday and happily got back on my bike the next day with no akes or pain. (Only bought new bike a month ago so not much change in my body fitness or weight).

+1 to weight for a budget of 1500+, it will become all clear after u have had ur first ride on it. I walked into my bike shop in potters bar and he showed me some bikes but turned round to me, this was november time i had a budget of £1000 and he said to be honest he said come back with more money and he will custom build for 1500, so that is what i did, and i do not regret it one bit.

Rich

Hi Rich, Reduced soreness will also be due to bike fit so this one must fit you better. As it was a custom build I imagine he fittted it to you as well?

What did you get for your? What wheels, which groupset and most importantly what was the frame?

 

[Trickydicky]

Hi Rich, Reduced soreness will also be due to bike fit so this one must fit you better. As it was a custom build I imagine he fittted it to you as well?

What did you get for your? What wheels, which groupset and most importantly what was the frame?

I got a Shorter bike (the shops own brand) full carbon weight of 900g for £1500, SRAM Rival, Fulcrum 7 racing. Yer that was also usful it was fitted to my geometry, so i got a 46in handle bars and a 11cm deda stem,
where as my old bike i bought for 100 pounds off my uncle who is about the same shape as me.


Shorter