yet another upgrade question

Russman

Hi all,
I've been lurking here for long enough that I think I probably know the answer to this one !

At the start of the year I promised myself an upgrade once I reached a target weight, and, hopefully I only have about a month or 6 weeks to go before I hit it, so doing the groundwork now.

My question is, when upgrading from an entry level alu bike, am I wasting my money going for the next level up in alu which is probably in or around the €1,000 - €1,500 mark when I could get one of the P/X offers or a Focus Cayo etc ?
Something like a Trek 2.3, Felt Z75, Spesh Allez with 105 are all in or around €1.5k, yet carbon P/X with Rival or Red is similar, seems too good to pass up ??

Don't want to turn it into another P/X debate, but just wondering if a carbon bike like the P/X is too much bike for me, given its only leisure riding I do, I've zero interest in racing or anything like that. Is carbon less sturdy, prone to breaking ? Is alu more durable ? How comfortable (or not) is the geometry on the P/X ?

I do have the advantage of the cycle to work and I'm not tied to a middleman so have full flexibility in buying.

Thanks

Barrya

if you want a comfy, durable cruiser then I would consider a steel frame, with high quality wheels and relaxed geometry. If power transfer and weight are not a huge bother then it might be something to think on.

most only consider carbon as an upgrade from entry level alu frames but not everyone is a racer, nor aspires to be one. carbon has obvious virtues, but it is not the only option.

papac

Theres no such thing as too much bike for a leisure cyclist. If you enjoy riding a sporty racy bike then you deserve to own one- Especially if its on the btw. Spoil yourself.


CAAD9 Are generally well regarded and you would get a well equipped one for your budget.


As Barrya says though there are other options-Steel included.

Russman

"spoil yourself" - I like your thinking !

irishmotorist

Russman wrote: »

Don't want to turn it into another P/X debate, but just wondering if a carbon bike like the P/X is too much bike for me, given its only leisure riding I do, I've zero interest in racing or anything like that. Is carbon less sturdy, prone to breaking ? Is alu more durable ? How comfortable (or not) is the geometry on the P/X ?

I can't speak for the Planet X because I have a Cayo, but I moved to that from a Spesh Sirrus (hybrid). I use the Cayo for commuting, weekend spins and sportives. Going carbon fibre was better than I could have imagined. Comfort on the road and the perfect shifting from the 105 groupset has made me a very happy cyclist over the year since I got it.

C/F might be more fragile, but I think that will only come into things if you throw it on the ground or smack it with a hammer from time to time. Regular normal care and use should cause no problems.

Russman

irishmotorist wrote: »

or smack it with a hammer from time to time.

lol, I'll try to avoid that

Thanks for that though, good to hear from someone using C/F for commuting, I was wondering if it was suitable for that kind of use.

Lumen

irishmotorist wrote: »

C/F might be more fragile, but I think that will only come into things if you throw it on the ground or smack it with a hammer from time to time.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y_O9PLorYPA

murf85

papac wrote: »

Theres no such thing as too much bike for a leisure cyclist. If you enjoy riding a sporty racy bike then you deserve to own one- Especially if its on the btw. Spoil yourself...

Thanks papac..they wer exactly the words i wanted to hear...you have just helped me justify my latest purchase

BostonB

Someone in work uses a carbon for commuting about 14~16k each way a couple of times a week, and reckon its well worth it. They do some leisure cycling also, but no racing AFAIK. Besides reaching a personal goal is reason enough no? Incentive for the next objective.

ednwireland

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-lsDXEEUlRE

Morrisseeee

given its only leisure riding I do, I've zero interest in racing or anything like that

.........surely a hybrid is the answer, ie. suspension on the front, loads of gears & nice comfy saddle = nice comfortable ride

BostonB

Morrisseeee wrote: »

.........surely a hybrid is the answer, ie. suspension on the front, loads of gears & nice comfy saddle = nice comfortable ride

I assumed (perhaps incorrectly) he'd had a road bike (racer) already and want to upgraded that. A hybrid would be a backward step then. Unless of course the Road Bike wasn't comfortable.

Morrisseeee

Yeah, I assumed the same, but having recently ridden 200kms on both types of bikes recently, I have to say I'd go for a hybrid if I wanted to 'leisure' cycle, especially if going off the beaten track, eg. back roads, poor surfaces.

Lumen

Morrisseeee wrote: »

Yeah, I assumed the same, but having recently ridden 200kms on both types of bikes recently, I have to say I'd go for a hybrid if I wanted to 'leisure' cycle, especially if going off the beaten track, eg. back roads, poor surfaces.

The problem is in defining "leisure cycling excluding racing". To many people, that means long distance non-competitive road cycling, for which a drop bar "racer" road bike is the best tool for the job.

BostonB

Get one of each.

Russman

Thanks for all the comments guys.
Leisure cycling maybe wasn't the best description. I meant I don't race or spend 8 hours in the saddle at any time. I have an entry level road bike (which I really like) and would go out for spins of up to 2 - 2.5 hours at weekends and maybe a couple of shorter ones during the week after work. Weather permitting I commute to work around half the time. Something of that order would be my lot.
Maybe "fitness cycling" would cover it better !!

papac

Russman wrote: »

Thanks for all the comments guys.
Leisure cycling maybe wasn't the best description. I meant I don't race or spend 8 hours in the saddle at any time. I have an entry level road bike (which I really like) and would go out for spins of up to 2 - 2.5 hours at weekends and maybe a couple of shorter ones during the week after work. Weather permitting I commute to work around half the time. Something of that order would be my lot.
Maybe "fitness cycling" would cover it better !!

That level of training requires a bike costing at least four grand. Spending any less would just be money down the drain imo.
You had better get some Assos gear as well or you'll just be a laughing stock.