Upgrade parts on current bike or save for a better one?

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Johnny5

New Member
Location
Manchester
I bought my first road bike (Giant Defy 4) about 2 months. I'm really loving this sport and I'm starting to get serious with it as I've got a few century rides coming up. For the last couple of weeks, I've rode over 200 miles and did a few 50 milers with no problems. I'm just concentrating on hills now as they are the weakest part of my cycling...starting to love the pain and the challenge.

Anyway, since buying the Giant Defy 4, I've upgraded my saddle to a carbon one, the wheels to a set of Mavic Askiums with Michelin Pro3 and a pair of Look Keo Classic peddles. All in all, I payed £475 for the bike and just under £300 for the upgrades.

At the moment I'm not sure whether to keep upgrading my current bike or just start saving for a better one? The next upgrade would be the group set on my Giant as the current one is just the bog standard Shimano 2200. I've been looking at the 105 group set and that'll cost me about £400. I reckon after that I would probably upgrade to a carbon seat post and stem which would cost anything from £200-300!

My argument is, shall I save the £600-700 for the upgrade parts and then save a bit more and get a new bike then use my Giant as a hack/wet weather bike?

If going down the new bike route, then I've been torn between 3 choices, all carbon frames and all around the £1600 mark:

1) Trek Madone 4.5
2) Scott CR1 Team
3) Specialized Tarmac Comp

Any advice?
 

simongrant

Active Member
Hi johnny,if climbing is your weakness (mine too btw)then i dont think any amout of upgrading/new bike is gonna do much,i would concentrate on the engine for a while and then decide what you want/need.Good luck with your upcoming centuries.
Why not try a century on your current setup,see how you get on.
Simon
 
OP
OP
J

Johnny5

New Member
Location
Manchester
Aye, best become a better rider before getting a better bike.

I will probably just keep saving and see what happens next year.

Still don't know which bike to go for though?
 

Randochap

Senior hunter
Sounds like the set-up you have now is decent enough.

Spend some time (rather than money) improving your skills/fitness and getting to know what's available. You will probably find you begin to favour a certain type of riding.

I'm a big fan of titanium for the combination of lightness, durability and comfort.
 
Location
Rammy
if you wanted to go down the hack bike route you could perhaps get a bike that is slightly better spec (comes with the 105 groupset for example) than the bike you have came as and then transfer the upgrades to the new bike putting the standard parts from the new bike onto the old one. giving you a decent hack bike and a good 'best' bike
 

I am Spartacus

Über Member
Location
N Staffs
and why the heck he has to become a better rider to get a better bike is beyond me...

the cocks who buy Audi r whatsits at 70k are just that, cocks who think they can drive, but it dont stop 'em from getting one.. and thats fair does
 

Angelfishsolo

A Velocipedian
+1
Randochap said:
Sounds like the set-up you have now is decent enough.

Spend some time (rather than money) improving your skills/fitness and getting to know what's available. You will probably find you begin to favour a certain type of riding.

I'm a big fan of titanium for the combination of lightness, durability and comfort.
 

Angelfishsolo

A Velocipedian
So if you've got it flaunt it??? I think the OP is better of concentrating on improving his riding and fitness and only look to upgrade when the current bike no longer services his needs.
I am Spartacus said:
and why the heck he has to become a better rider to get a better bike is beyond me...

the cocks who buy Audi r whatsits at 70k are just that, cocks who think they can drive, but it dont stop 'em from getting one.. and thats fair does
 

I am Spartacus

Über Member
Location
N Staffs
Angelfishsolo said:
So if you've got it flaunt it??? I think the OP is better of concentrating on improving his riding and fitness and only look to upgrade when the current bike no longer services his needs.

The guy has said he is getting serious about his cycling .. and soooooo

naturally he wants better kit than for instance Shim 2200 groupset .. amongst other things....
a lighter .. better handling bike with more positive response gear system will encourage the man to actually go AND IMPROVE his bike riding...
he doesnt sound an 'inyerface' type at all... you do tho buddy with a rather patronising attitude to someone else's freedom to spend on what they like...

now go hug another tree
:ohmy:
 

Angelfishsolo

A Velocipedian
Sparticus. I ride a 20 year old rigid frame bike so not exactly "In your Face". I feel that upgrading to a new bike for the sake of it is pointless. Yes the OP's bike may not have the best kit but he is doing well and it does not sound as though his bike is holding him back. The upgrades he has made so far are valid and will have improved performance.

Don't start throwing personal insults around fella. It just makes you look like a numptie.
I am Spartacus said:
The guy has said he is getting serious about his cycling .. and soooooo

naturally he wants better kit than for instance Shim 2200 groupset .. amongst other things....
a lighter .. better handling bike with more positive response gear system will encourage the man to actually go AND IMPROVE his bike riding...
he doesnt sound an 'inyerface' type at all... you do tho buddy with a rather patronising attitude to someone else's freedom to spend on what they like...

now go hug another tree
:smile:
 

I am Spartacus

Über Member
Location
N Staffs
We are not on about the 'crap' you or I or anyone else rides.. I return to the the original point yet again...

the guy wants to improve. being seated on a nice Tarmac altho I'd have a look at the Boardman ProC.. better wheels than on the Tarmac.. but here's me dreaming

I am not throwing insults mate either....just of a diff opinion obviously.. if the guy comes back again he may like that diff opinion whereby he can lose 2kg or so 'deadweight and actually start to fly up the hills and hear that magical road 'hum' as you lay some speed down....
 

simongrant

Active Member
Angelfishsolo said:
Sparticus. I ride a 20 year old rigid frame bike so not exactly "In your Face". I feel that upgrading to a new bike for the sake of it is pointless. Yes the OP's bike may not have the best kit but he is doing well and it does not sound as though his bike is holding him back. The upgrades he has made so far are valid and will have improved performance.

Don't start throwing personal insults around fella. It just makes you look like a numptie.

Ive had a change of heart now,i think the OP should go for one of these http://road.cc/content/news/1983-cannondale-launch-limited-edition-supersix-shimano-di2 and pray to God he's still loving the sport in 6 months time!!:smile:
 
OP
OP
J

Johnny5

New Member
Location
Manchester
Hi guys,

Thanks for all the feedback and everyone is entitled to there own opinions and everyone has valid points in the discussion.

I think ultimately, I'm going to buy a better bike sometime in the future anyway, just whether it's sooner or later, so my dilemma was whether there is any point in continue upgrading my current bike or save the money for a better one.

Anyway, I'm just going to concentrate on improving my fitness and riding then see how it goes. In the last 2 weeks, I've been averaging 100mi per week and I've dropped over 1kg during that time to about 78kgs now and I'm 5'9". I'll be happy to drop another 3-5kgs and improve my climbing skills. I'm not too bad on the flats, I rode 19 miles in 1 hour the other day going down some country lanes.

Anyway, I'm loving the sport and I'm going to keep pushing on my Giant Defy! :o)
 

Angelfishsolo

A Velocipedian
I'm glad you have made what I think is the "correct choice". You will almost certainly come to a point when you know your current bike is holdiong you back; that is the time to upgrade.

Have fun :o)
Johnny5 said:
Hi guys,

Thanks for all the feedback and everyone is entitled to there own opinions and everyone has valid points in the discussion.

I think ultimately, I'm going to buy a better bike sometime in the future anyway, just whether it's sooner or later, so my dilemma was whether there is any point in continue upgrading my current bike or save the money for a better one.

Anyway, I'm just going to concentrate on improving my fitness and riding then see how it goes. In the last 2 weeks, I've been averaging 100mi per week and I've dropped over 1kg during that time to about 78kgs now and I'm 5'9". I'll be happy to drop another 3-5kgs and improve my climbing skills. I'm not too bad on the flats, I rode 19 miles in 1 hour the other day going down some country lanes.

Anyway, I'm loving the sport and I'm going to keep pushing on my Giant Defy! ;)
 
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