Is carbon really that good?

[weepiglet]

In my previous poll, I was looking at a Specialized Allez Sport, Trek 1.7 or Bianchi Nerone for around £700.

However, my budget has now gone up to £1000 (birthday cash) and when I was at a LBS yesterday, the guy was trying to get me to buy a Scott CR1 for £1300. It weight about the same as pint of beer but was kitted with poor kit for the price.

Is it really worth the difference or would I not get any benefit over a Spesh Allez Elite or a Trek 1.9 (that I can now afford)

Thanks as always folks.

 

[bonj2]

If you want to convince yourself to get the scott CR1, think about the fact that tiagra is hardly any different to 105 and you can upgrade as and when parts need replacing/as you see fit, and it might possibly have better wheels.
If you want to convince yourself to get the spesh, work out the actual weight difference and think how little it is - probably about the weight of what you'd carry with you anyway.

 

[dudi]

I was thinking about getting a bike of around the same price range and have to agree with Bonj here.
the weight of the frame probably doesn't make too much difference if it's fitted with crappy wheels and lower quality components. So if you're thinking about the bike right now, it may be better to buy a less technologically advanced frame with better kit.

However if you plan on updating/upgrading the bike over time, then to start with a good frame has to be an advantage.

Also, it depends quite a lot on the rider, and what you want the bike for.
If you're a race riderwhere every tenth of a second counts, then the weight advantage will be more important. if you're a leisure rider then those seconds really don't count for anything.

All that said, just buy the one that fits you best. you'll ride a well fitting £700 bike faster and longer than a poorly fitted £3000 bike.

 

[yenrod]

If you want to convince yourself to get the scott CR1, think about the fact that tiagra is hardly any different to 105 and you can upgrade as and when parts need replacing/as you see fit, and it might possibly have better wheels.
If you want to convince yourself to get the spesh, work out the actual weight difference and think how little it is - probably about the weight of what you'd carry with you anyway.

Tiagra is like an 'unpolished' 105.

105 wheels are nice

Ive Tiagra wheels & shifters(Sti's)

Dura-Ace is mostly plastic anyhow !

Gets my vote does this post by BOnjy !!!!!!!!1

 

[Steve Austin]

There is a difference between Tiagra and 105. If there wasn't no-one would buy 105!!

you can get a planet X carbon bike with full Ultegra for £1200ish , so thats the deal if you want it.
Carbon is a very different ride to Alloy frames. I ride both and my carbon bike is a lot stiffer, but more forgiving and much more comfortable to ride. If you are going to spend £1200 on a new bike and really can't decide between alloy or carbon, try to get a test ride.

I would go Carbon

 

[yenrod]

There is a difference between Tiagra and 105. If there wasn't no-one would buy 105!!

What do you mean

 

[yello]

Is it worth it? I'd guess so, yes. I doubt I personally would appreciate the difference but I'd accept that there is one. Like the difference between a £1k hi-fi and a £5k one; to thems that know and are passionate about such things, the difference is marked.

 

[gavintc]

I have not used the new Tiagra. But I could tell the difference between my old Tiagra 9 sp and my newish 105 10sp. But then again, I think the Scott CR1 frame is an excellent one. A lot of my friends in the club ride this as their race bike. Admittedly, with Ultegra or 105 on it. But, I have just read that the new Ultegra will be on sale this summer for £900!!! I bought mine as a Dura ace/ Ultegra mix for £400 about 3 yrs ago. Prices are definitely on the rise.

 

[weepiglet]

But, I have just read that the new Ultegra will be on sale this summer for £900!!! I bought mine as a Dura ace/ Ultegra mix for £400 about 3 yrs ago. Prices are definitely on the rise.

Bl00dY hell...£900 for Ultegra....how can they justify that? As I am new to all this roadie stuff there has t be something that makes it really stand out but surely there can't be such a huge difference between the current Ultegra stuff or even Dura Ace or SRAM kit. Can you not get a top notch system for about £300 nowadays?

 

[aserota]

Massive difference between carbon frames and aluminium frames. Its far more comfortable, generally a fair bit lighter and much stiffer. Would highly recommend a carbon frame for those longer rides

 

[gavintc]

I had 105 fitted to my training bike for just over £300 last summer. I dread to think what it would now cost

 

[weepiglet]

When I was in the shop the guy was saying that he was selling gear for £400 that would have been £250 six months ago simply because suppliers are putting their proces up.
The other things is that as I'm not a racer and not planning to spend my life on the bike so I think I will stick to an alu bike or an E5 mixture (whatever that is) that was the original plan so an Allez Elite or a Trek 1.9 looks like the order.

Appreciate the advice folks...kudos to the site and it's users.

 

[Steve Austin]

What do you mean

What I am saying is there is a noticeable difference between groupsets. Bonj has always stated that no-one can tell the difference, and that the only real difference is that one costs more. well its not true, Dura ace is a world apart from Sora.
As you go up the ranges, the level of shifting improves, the weight goes down, the bearings/seals improve. Anyone who thinks that components do not improve as you move up the range, really has no idea what they are talking about.

Tiagra is fine, and used by many, but 105 is better. ultegra is better than 105. And guess what?, Dura ace is the best in the shimano range!!

 

[gavintc]

I was out on my summer carbon bike this morning and just thinking as I was spinning along in the club group that it felt so good to be on a nice bike. The carbon really does absorb the vibrations. Our ride takes us out on a dual carriageway with a rough surface. Over the winter, my alu frame bike has rattled along on that surface. This morning - still vibration, but not the teeth jarring vibration. Nice. But then again, I do not smoke and regard my carbon bike as my extravagance in life. I do not need it, but it makes training and riding just so much more fun.

 

[weepiglet]

Cheers Steve, I think I will try and aim for 105 gear as that should last me for as long as I need without spending more cash. From reading around it, I think the Sora and Tiagra stuff, whilst ok, wouldn't suit me as I will be riding around quite a lot of hills so will be changing gears quite a lot so might as well get something that will last....I suppose you get what you pay for.