Carbon

For 1200 pounds I built a
For 1200 pounds I built a totally custom CAAD 10. You could buy stock, but you’ll want to upgrade things. Here’s a breakdown of my parts and cost (USD, I’m not a conversion wizard):

CAAD 10 frame and fork – $600
SRAM Rival – $230
Easton EC70 Seatpost – $40
Syntace Stem – $32
Oval Bars – $25
Fizik Tape – $15
Jagwire TEFLON COATED racer cables – $35
Fulcrum 3 racing wheels – $520
Conti Gatorskin tires – $80

My Rivet Independence saddle – $200

Shop put it together for $300. Some of the things were purchased from them.

I have nothing I want to upgrade, everything’s awesome. ie: my stem weighs 96g.

Total bike weight is 7100g.

Having had both a Planet X SL
Having had both a Planet X SL Pro and and a Canyon Ultimate AL, I can confidently say that the aluminium Canyon is a vastly better bike. Not more than a few hundred grammes heavier, but a vastly better, stiffer frame and just as comfortable with carbon forks and carbon seatpost.

I liked my PX initially, but as I used it I found the SL Pro frame flexy and with weirdly vague steering at speed. That is not something you want on a bike in a 30 mph downhill corner.

Go with a first class Aluminium frame any time over a cheap carbon frame.

arfa wrote:
The major issue

arfa wrote:

The major issue is that if you have a smash on aluminium, you might be able to repair it. on carbon, no chance

There are a number of specialist companies able to repair carbon frames. With the new crop of aluminium frames using ultra thin tube walls, I’d imagine they are harder to repair.

Rob

SlowSPDRider wrote:+1 For

SlowSPDRider wrote:

+1 For aluminium.

The frame will last forever and is cheaper so if you have a grand you can get a better groupset and other stuff…..

Can’t agree with the generalisation that aluminium will last forever – I’ve broken three alu frames in recent years! Don’t know if the implication is that carbon is less durable – but not sure that’s true either – (though I’ve no experience of carbon). Possibly metal might stand up to knocks better than carbon?

As long as you get a frame with a reasonable warranty from a reputable manufacturer, then it should be ok though, regardless of material

Agreed that there seems to be good value in a decent Alu frame vs a carbon one. If this means you can get better components on the Alu frame, as has been said, then it’s got to be worth considering.

UnflappableEd wrote:+1 For

UnflappableEd wrote:

+1 For Planet X sl, I got hit by a car in it and the frame and forks are fine, front wheel and rear wheel both aluminium, both bent beyond repair

You make that sound like a wheel and frame are comparable in an impact situation. Completely different.

+1 For Planet X sl, I got hit
+1 For Planet X sl, I got hit by a car in it and the frame and forks are fine, front wheel and rear wheel both aluminium, both bent beyond repair, when it happened I thought I was looking at a whole new bike….

Also I love the look of it, it looks mean. Goes like the clappers and is as light as a bike can be at that price.

Ultegra is good, I have used a few times, but mine came with Sram Force, which I personally prefer.

Good luck with either anyway.

+1 For aluminium.
The frame
+1 For aluminium.

The frame will last forever and is cheaper so if you have a grand you can get a better groupset and other stuff…..

For me, this bike is a steel
For me, this bike is a steel and would be top of my list in the £1k bracket
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/felt-f5-105-2013/