New bike? Is carbon an worthwhile upgrade?

[pushonbrother]

Evening all,
I currently have a Secteur Sport which has been upgraded with 105 compacts groupset (5700) and some Aksium wheels and a Pave II seatpost.

Just wondering what people's opinions are on upgrading to a new bike. I have already decided that if I upgrade, it will be for a Roubaix because I find the geometry so comfortable (secteur and roubaix identical geometry I believe). So the question is - will I really gain much changing to a carbon framed version of what I already have? Or would I be wiser to spice up the secteur a little more with carbon bars / stem, better pedals etc.... and save a lot of money!

Opinions appreciated. Thanks

 

[ianrauk]

I have one of each. A Secteur Elite and a Roubaix Elite (Pic below). As you say, both share the same geometry.
The main difference is in the comfort stakes, with the carbon Roubaix being able to soak up road buzz far better then the Alu Secteur. Also the Roubaix being the lighter bike, it seems to accelerate and roll quicker then the Secteur.

With the Roubaix I can ride 100+ miles on it and feel fresh as the proverbial daisy. Doing the same distance with the Secteur makes me feel as if I have gone 12 rounds with Mike Tyson. But everyone is different. Some people (including me) find an Alu ride harsh, others don't.

But at the end of the day, they are both cracking bikes.

As to your question of what you will gain? Well it's how much you want a carbon bike. As always it's n+1 isn't it?

 

[pushonbrother]

Perfect person to read and respond!
Thanks for that, although not what I wanted to hear!
I may consider selling my Ribble winter, and using the Secteur as a winter bike with raceblades on, and treat myself to a Roubaix Elite. I think it's going to be one of those - if I don't get one, I'll always want one .....

 

[smokeysmoo]

Carbon's not all it's cracked up to be IME. I've had 3 cf road bikes, (Trek Madone 5.5, Focus Cayo Pro, Focus Izalco), yet I'm the complete opposite to Ian in that I can ride my alu Cannondale faster and farther than I could any of the cf bikes. I've also had a cf MTB, but that's another story.
Carbon has it's place and I won't rubbish it as that would just be silly, but just don't think it's the bee all and end all in upgrades and consider, (as you seem to have started to do), all your options.

 

[ianrauk]

Carbon's not all it's cracked up to be IME. I've had 3 cf road bikes, (Trek Madone 5.5, Focus Cayo Pro, Focus Izalco), yet I'm the complete opposite to Ian in that I can ride my alu Cannondale faster and farther than I could any of the cf bikes. I've also had a cf MTB, but that's another story.
Carbon has it's place and I won't rubbish it as that would just be silly, but just don't think it's the bee all and end all in upgrades and consider, (as you seem to have started to do), all your options.

If I was to buy a Alu bike again then a Cannondale would be the Aul bike of choice. It's a well known fact that Cannondale probably make better Alu frames then anyone else.

 

[MattHB]

I love my carbon I stroke it regularly!

 

[PaulSecteur]

Carbon's not all it's cracked

Intentional pun?

 

[pushonbrother]

"Is carbon AN worthwile upgrade".....ffs
That'll teach me to try to do several things at once without concentrating on any properly....

 

[Alembicbassman]

Upgrade to a bespoke steel frame.

 

[smokeysmoo]

Intentional pun?

Not at all