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Carbon Frame Upgrade from High End Alu Frame, Worth it?

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  • March 31, 2015 at 2:29 pm #23634
    greenlight

    Hello All,

    First time post on this fantastic forum after following for many a year.

    After growing up riding many bikes through my youth, I finally jumped on the road cycle band wagon a few of years ago with the fantastic Canyon Ultimate Al 105. What can I say, an incredible bike (thanks road.cc for pointing me in its direction) and one that I really enjoy riding on a daily basis (within reason) through all weathers with the odd century and many a ride out and back into Sussex.

    However after years of being bombarded by the cycling press I am starting to wonder what I might be missing out on Carbon wise. With my 30th coming up in the next few months I thought I would reward myself with the carbon steed that everyone seems to bang on about and seem to acquire with abandon over they’re aluminium brethren.

    HOWEVER I am in two minds as to whether an upgrade to a circa £1700 pound (most likely Canyon or Rose) carbon road bike will really be money well spent given that my current ride hits the scales at 8kg dead (105 and ksyrium equips) and seems to tick all the boxes. In short is Carbon REALLY that much of a revelation over a good quality Alu frame and worth the outlay or am I just being duped by all that marketing hype?? Yes the frame would be a few hundred grams lighter, but that in itself can’t be the deciding factor surely?

    Part of me thinks I could spend the same money and get an outrageous set of wheels and a high end group set rather than a mid-range carbon frame with a step up one wrung in group set and wheel set.

    Thanks in advance.

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  • April 4, 2015 at 7:14 am #839717
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    tandellcycling

    Many cyclist is not fond of
    Many cyclist is not fond of carbon rims too much,but now,carbon rims quality is not the same as before,they are more stable,stiff and durable,AL rims sometimes can not be the feature,like rims profile,stiff and arodynamic.

    April 4, 2015 at 7:10 am #839715
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    tandellcycling

    interested in the company you
    interested in the company you got the carbon seatpost and handlebars from,may be can learn something from that,because i am a bicycle carbon parts manufaturer from China.

    April 4, 2015 at 6:39 am #839713
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    Jez Ash

    GREGJONES wrote:I’ve got a

    GREGJONES wrote:
    I’ve got a kinesis alloy bike, and often get comments from clubmates complaining of the flex in their carbon frames.

    Mmhmm….

    April 3, 2015 at 11:17 am #839711
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    Bryin

    I owned an Ebay business
    I owned an Ebay business buying and selling used high road bikes.. I have ridden much of what is available, albeit versions of past years. High end carbon is fantastic, Colnago C50, Time VXR, Cervelo SL-SLC … all the tits. But middle and lower grade carbon is pretty bland.

    In your price range none of the carbon bikes would be superb. I would stick with what is working and get the wheels. Fit is the most important part of a bike and sounds like you are happy with that.

    Handmade from a top notch builder is the way to go. I am not fond of carbon rims as I swap wheels and do not want to swap pads all the time. Ask around and search the net for the best wheelbuilder you can find.

    April 3, 2015 at 9:18 am #839709
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    dave atkinson

    I spent a few hundred quid on
    I spent a few hundred quid on a proper training and nutrition plan and knocked over 20% off my time up the climb to my house without buying any new bike parts at all. So there’s always that option 😉

    April 3, 2015 at 9:05 am #839707
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    s_lim

    Another +1 for better wheels.
    Another +1 for better wheels. I’m another Kinesis Aethein owner, and wouldn’t swap alloy for carbon, not unless I’d a few grand for a frame.

    As for long distance, I don’t see the issue either – did a 150 mile fondo on my old alloy bike last year; a carbon seatpost took the sting out of the road.

    You’ve a cracking bike, better wheels would make it amazing. Recommend handbuilts.

    April 2, 2015 at 7:55 pm #839705
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    don simon fbpe

    A good titanium frame and
    A good titanium frame and swop the kit over. #BikeForLife

    April 2, 2015 at 7:07 pm #839703
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    Russell Orgazoid

    Consider steel.
    Consider steel.

    April 2, 2015 at 5:22 pm #839701
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    mtbtomo

    The carbon bikes I’ve had
    The carbon bikes I’ve had have been less rattley over the bumps and imperfections in the road surface. However, I don’t currently have a carbon road bike, just a couple of decent alloy framed bikes. The alloy bikes seem a bit more direct which I prefer for racing.

    You won’t save a lot of weight on a cheap carbon frame over the decent alloy frame of your Canyon. I read in one of the magazines some comment about 1200g being light for the carbon frame on a £2k bike. All that money and they’re no lighter than a good aloy frame!

    There are plenty of ways to make a bike comfier than getting carbon – tyres, seatposts, bars, bar tape etc etc.

    April 1, 2015 at 8:23 pm #839699
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    tjm160

    My first road bike was the
    My first road bike was the 2014 ALUXX Giant Defy 1. Having the opportunity for good savings via the cycle to work scheme, I have since splashed out on the 2015 Giant Defy Advanced (composite) 1. The Aluxx now sports mudguards and has become my winter/wet bike.

    The Aluxx Defy is recognised as one of the best Aluxx bikes on the market. The difference with the composite is however, like light and day. I’m delighted with the massively enhanced comfort and performance of the composite bike and count my blessing to be fortunate enough to have both.

    Whether to upgrade wheels or change to a composite bike depends so much on your financial position, how much you ride and in what conditions. As has already been said, if in a position to enjoy the benefits of two bikes, then that has been and would be my choice again.

    If of interest, my review of the composite Defy Advanced 1 in comparison with the Aluxx Defy 1 can be found here; http://reviewmybike.com/bike/GIANT/giant-defy-advanced-1/13673

    April 1, 2015 at 2:03 pm #839697
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    700c

    I’d echo what some other
    I’d echo what some other posters have said about quality wheels & tubular tyres. Perhaps some carbon bars or post too.

    You’ve already got a decent quality light bike so a change in frame material is unlikely to improve it much, unless you spend silly £££

    April 1, 2015 at 12:40 pm #839695
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    Vejnemojnen

    Get 27.2mm diametre Carbon
    Get 27.2mm diametre Carbon seatpost from Taiwan and some Carbon Handlebars.

    Comfortwise solved, especially with 25mm wide high TPI tyres. 🙂

    April 1, 2015 at 12:32 pm #839693
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    Mrmiik

    I’ve got a Kinesis Aithein
    I’ve got a Kinesis Aithein with a carbon seat post. I prefer it over my campy equipped Italian carbon demon… 🙁

    April 1, 2015 at 12:26 pm #839691
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    matthewn5

    I have the Ultimate AL and it
    I have the Ultimate AL and it is BETTER than just about any carbon bike I have ridden (that’s not a lot, but some of them were good).

    Get better wheels – how about 1300g handbuilts – and a top end groupset of your choice, and laugh all the way to the bank!

    Carbon handlebars will make a difference too, comfortwise.

    April 1, 2015 at 12:22 pm #839689
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    Chris James

    I can’t see the point of
    I can’t see the point of upgrading your (already very nice) bike.

    I have three drop handle barred bikes – a summer bike, winter bike and a cyclocross. If the canyon is your only road bike then I’d buy a dedicated wet weather bike that takes full guards.

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