Best “upgradable bike”

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  • #23117
    Bhenry611

    Hi, I would appreciate your views. I have decided to splash out and buy a new bike. I currently have an old Giant Defy 4. I would like to buy a carbon frame bike. I have a budget of £2000. I would like to buy the best quality frame I possibly can with a view to upgrading the other components over time.

    My cycling consists of a couple of 30 mile rides during the week and then a longer rude at the weekend. I would like to enter a few sportives but am not looking for a speed bike. I will obviously go and test ride a few but was just looking for a few opinions to start me off.

    Thanks,
    Ben

Viewing 14 replies - 16 through 29 (of 29 total)
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  • #828905
    0
    ricardogarlondez
    #828903
    0
    Mrmiik

    surly_by_name wrote:Mrmiik

    surly_by_name wrote:
    Mrmiik wrote:
    Surely the best thing would to be a custom build rather than upgrading. You WILL save cash, be able to tune every part of the bike to your needs and can be incredibly satisfying.

    Having spent the past few years doing this, my expereince indicates that this is incorrect. Almost invariably, you will get a better deal on a complete bike than you will get trying to put a bike together yourself. If you are willing to accept the compromises that a manufacturer makes when it puts together a complete bike (and those compromises rarely affect performance for a mere mortal) then you are – from an economic perspective – better off buying a complete bike.

    You make a good point about saving some money for new kit though.

    The £1500 to £1800 range is pretty competitive and full of good deals.

    Sub 7kg, race ready 11 speed (Ultegra/Force) bike for £1500-£1800? With a wheelset around the 1450g mark? Please point me to one.

    That custom build will have every part fit to your body if you know what you are doing.

    #828901
    0
    Mrmiik

    allanj wrote:Wow, you know

    allanj wrote:
    Wow, you know how to take the fun out of something don’t you… :/

    Thanks – I shan’t bother expressing an opinion when the OP has asked for advice then.

    #828899
    0
    surly_by_name

    Mrmiik wrote:Surely the best

    Mrmiik wrote:
    Surely the best thing would to be a custom build rather than upgrading. You WILL save cash, be able to tune every part of the bike to your needs and can be incredibly satisfying.

    Having spent the past few years doing this, my expereince indicates that this is incorrect. Almost invariably, you will get a better deal on a complete bike than you will get trying to put a bike together yourself. If you are willing to accept the compromises that a manufacturer makes when it puts together a complete bike (and those compromises rarely affect performance for a mere mortal) then you are – from an economic perspective – better off buying a complete bike.

    You make a good point about saving some money for new kit though.

    The £1500 to £1800 range is pretty competitive and full of good deals.

    #828897
    0
    allanj

    Wow, you know how to take the
    Wow, you know how to take the fun out of something don’t you… :/

    #828895
    0
    Mrmiik

    First – why do you want a
    First – why do you want a carbon bike? Is it performance or ‘Cus they look good? I’ve riden carbon bikes that are naff compared to quality steel or alu bikes. I really don’t get the whole ‘I must get a carbon bike mentality that is pervasive in the UK’.

    I’m guessing you want comfort right? Carbon ‘can’ offer that. Steel or Ti can do it much much better too.

    Isn’t the R2 being mentioned simply as its a brilliant frame let down by it’s kit? I’m not sure the value is really there. Cervélo frames deserve high end kit really… Too much to upgrade imo !

    Surely the best thing would to be a custom build rather than upgrading. You WILL save cash, be able to tune every part of the bike to your needs and can be incredibly satisfying.

    Really 2k buys a lot of bike… Ask yourself what you are upgrading too. 105/Rival/Veloce is all you need on a sportive bike, you are not racing so will not want lightweight/aero wheels that need much more love and attention.

    Unless you are looking to race, perhaps consider buying the perfectly capable bikes around the £1500 mark and using your leftover cash to invest in quality clothing… Blah blah blah…

    #828893
    0
    Bhenry611

    Thanks very much for the
    Thanks very much for the comments/ideas. Definitely a good starting point.
    Cheers
    Ben

    #828891
    0
    edd23

    +1 for the Cervelo R2,
    +1 for the Cervelo R2, fantastic frame..

    #828889
    0
    allanj

    I looked at the Genesis too,
    I looked at the Genesis too, LBS steered me towards the Cervelo, very happy with my choice. Well developed frame from a firm established in carbon v first attempt from company with a proud steel heritage?

    #828887
    0
    Jimmy Ray Will

    I’d suggest taking a look at
    I’d suggest taking a look at the Genesis Zero range. The reason being that the frameset of the base model is the same (except for paint) as the top of the range team frame.

    Now paint is worth more than you think (~100-200grams potentially) so I’d maybe look at the Zero 3 with 105 for £1700, as that is essentially a bare frame so the lightest.

    #828885
    0
    allanj

    Cervelo R2 wold be my
    Cervelo R2 wold be my suggestion, stunning frame, big upgrade potential in the wheels, kit OK.

    #828883
    0
    Nixster

    One of the bike bargains of
    One of the bike bargains of the moment has to be the Canondale Supersix Evo – you could get one of those with 105 for £1200 recently and the frame is excellent. You’d have £800 left over for wheel etc. upgrades! Geo is quite racy though.

    #828881
    0
    Scrufftie

    I’d seriously consider
    I’d seriously consider Canyon, too. They use the same frame across the range up to professional level. Generally, they are incredible value. The only issue is that the buying process can be a bit fraught, even if it works out in the end.

    #828879
    0
    OnTheRopes

    Canyon Ultimate CF SL 9.0
    Canyon Ultimate CF SL 9.0 https://www.canyon.com/en/roadbikes/bike.html?b=3587
    Canyon Endurace CF 9.0 Pro https://www.canyon.com/en/roadbikes/bike.html?b=3678

    Theres a couple of excellent bikes within your budget

Viewing 14 replies - 16 through 29 (of 29 total)
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