Setting budget for new road bike

[2pies]

I'm considering buying a new road bike in the coming months. My current bike serves its purpose but several parts are wearing out and it isn't particularly comfortable. It's an Alu frame with 105 that I bought in 2012 for £900.

Before shopping around I want to plan my budget. It will likely go on a credit card and be paid back over the coming 6-12 months. While I could feasibly spend up to £3k, I'm not convinced that I would get good value for money by spending much more than half of that. Case in point, some of the Enigma Ti bikes caught my eye, but I think it might be a little irresponsible to spend that much given that a carbon bike, marketed as "Endurance" would probably meet my requirements.

The bike would be used for commuting 30m a day during the week, club runs/sportives at the weekend and the odd ride abroad during the summer (I've got a trip to ride up Mt. Ventoux in June).

How have you approached this situation and what was your rationale for either buying what most people would regard as a high-end or a mid-range bike e.g. frame quality, specific features (electronic shifting), longevity, upgradability etc.

Note 1: ignore wheels from the discussion as I have a half-decent set of rims (ProLite Bracciano A42) that I could bring across from my existing bike.
Note 2: the existing bike will need to be sold shortly after this purchase due to space. My 29er hard-tail acts as the N+1 in emergencies and for occasional off-road riding.

Cheers

 

[goody]

Think I would list the requirements of the bike first then see what matches my needs, then I'd know how much money I had to find.

 

[vickster]

This might be worth a look if you fancy titanium, with a triple for the hills. A bit of a bargain IMO

http://www.spacycles.co.uk/products.php?plid=m1b0s21p3404

I've been tempted myself but I'm not cycling currently and I don't like Shimano groupsets personally!

Given your location, go see what Pearson have in their in house range that might suit

I wouldn't spend £3k on a London commuter, be too paranoid about theft and damage

 

[2pies]

This might be worth a look if you fancy titanium, with a triple for the hills. A bit of a bargain IMO

http://www.spacycles.co.uk/products.php?plid=m1b0s21p3404

I've been tempted myself but I'm not cycling currently and I don't like Shimano groupsets personally!

Given your location, go see what Pearson have in their in house range that might suit

I wouldn't spend £3k on a London commuter, be too paranoid about theft and damage

Yes, I know Pearsons well. However, if I choose to buy a carbon bike I'll probably go for one of the Willier range. They're as good as any other brand and are sold by the LBS at the top of my road (Cycle Power). They are great guys and I'd rather give them my money (or the banks ) than some other shop I don't know.

Security isn't really a concern for commuting as my employer has an underground car-park. However, I agree that bikes of a certain value may be perceived as "too good" for commuting. I suppose insurance could be a consideration though.

 

[Nibor]

With the type of budget you are considering you would almost certainly be able to secure an interest free credit option saving credit card interest.

 

[vickster]

Yes, I know Pearsons well. However, if I choose to buy a carbon bike I'll probably go for one of the Willier range. They're as good as any other brand and are sold by the LBS at the top of my road (Cycle Power). They are great guys and I'd rather give them my money (or the banks ) than some other shop I don't know.

Security isn't really a concern for commuting as my employer has an underground car-park. However, I agree that bikes of a certain value may be perceived as "too good" for commuting. I suppose insurance could be a consideration though.

Agreed they are good chaps at cycle power

With a 3k budget, I'd be inclined to buy a frame and then source parts, and get CP to build

How tall are you?
https://www.condorcycles.com/products/condor-gran-fondo-frameset The most gorgeous Ti frame I've ever seen!

Another super titanium option here...And not far away in Horsham

http://www.freeborn.co.uk/genesis-equilibrium-disc-ti-bike-2015

 

[Onyer]

These guys are close to you based in Kingston - http://roadcycleexchange.com/collections/allbikes/wilier

Problem with carbon bikes is that you cannot fit a rack to carry panniers - if this is what you meant by "the odd ride abroad during the summer" - which you can with a Ti bike. Although having just said that it would be possible to fit a rack to a carbon bike using P clips, but that will probably invalidate any warranty.

 

[2pies]

I'm 6'4 so need 60+cm frames. That limits my options somewhat.

These guys are close to you based in Kingston - http://roadcycleexchange.com/collections/allbikes/wilier

Problem with carbon bikes is that you cannot fit a rack to carry panniers - if this is what you meant by "the odd ride abroad during the summer" - which you can with a Ti bike. Although having just said that it would be possible to fit a rack to a carbon bike using P clips, but that will probably invalidate any warranty.

Ha. My definition of riding abroad is probably very different from yours. To me, it's flying to somewhere in Europe, staying in bike-friendly hotels and doing daily rides in the local vicinity. You're thinking of touring.

To answer an earlier comment, my requirements can probably be summarised as:

• Frame designed for comfort. While I would like to be able to race, I simply don't have the time to spend training for it. That said, I don't want a heavy steel frame. Assume Carbon or Ti so that I can ride at a good speed on fast club runs and light enough to climb a mountain.
• 105 groupset (or better)
• ....that's it really. I can't think of anything else

 

[vickster]

Perfect for the 61cm Gran Fondo frame