What to Buy??

brownetara

Looking for some advice on upgrading my bike. I have had a Carrera tdf for the past two years, initially just used for commuting a 20 mile round trip to work but in the last few months have found myself doing 2/3 20/25 mile spins during the week and maybe a 50/60 at the weekend. I recently signed up for a few sportif's (Tour de Conamara, Tour de Burren, Ring of Kerry etc) and thinking of upgrading so looking for a bit of advice - don't want to spend a fortune but don't want to think in six months time, why didn't I spend the extra couple of bob and get a better bike.



I've narrowed it down to these -


Carrera Virago Carbon Bike - http://www.halfords.ie/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_storeId_11101_catalogId_15551_productId_832167_langId_-1_categoryId_212536



Boardman Road Team Carbon Bike - http://www.halfords.ie/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_storeId_11101_catalogId_15551_productId_918505_langId_-1_categoryId_212536

Lapiere Audacio 400L - http://www.harrysbikes.ie/bikes/road-racer-ladies/lapierre-audacio-400l.html


Cannondale Synapse - not sure if this is the right link but - http://www.evanscycles.com/products/cannondale/synapse-6-tiagra-compact-2013-womens-road-bike-ec042944


Giant Avail 1 or 2 - http://www.giant-bicycles.com/en-us/bikes/model/avail.1/11526/55903/



Any advice gladly accepted!



Tara

AstraMonti

I think the boardman offers the best bang for your buck and probably looks nicer too.

ford2600

I have a lapierre audacio. Lovely bike, have done over 220km in a day on it.

If your upgrading now, you'll probably be looking to do similar in two years to carbon.

If so, I'd save a little longer a buy a higher spec bike at end of year. Carbon canyon/cannondale/rose/cube with a decent groupset and get end of year bargain.

In meantime, if you don't already, learn how to do your own maintenance on current bike. Also get it habit of regular cleaning if you don't already. It'll help resale and also you'll be in position to take proper care of your new show pony

brownetara

Problem is our bike2work scheme only runs in June or December so need to do it now or wait ages!

Still I am listening to all the advice and will make my mind up soon!

Thanks,

Tara

ford2600 wrote: »

I have a lapierre audacio. Lovely bike, have done over 220km in a day on it.

If your upgrading now, you'll probably be looking to do similar in two years to carbon.

If so, I'd save a little longer a buy a higher spec bike at end of year. Carbon canyon/cannondale/rose/cube with a decent groupset and get end of year bargain.

In meantime, if you don't already, learn how to do your own maintenance on current bike. Also get it habit of regular cleaning if you don't already. It'll help resale and also you'll be in position to take proper care of your new show pony

brownetara

So the Virago is out as its too big a frame! - so I am left with the following -


Boardman Road Team Carbon Bike - http://www.halfords.ie/webapp/wcs/st...egoryId_212536

Lapiere Audacio 400L - http://www.harrysbikes.ie/bikes/road...acio-400l.html

Cannondale Synapse - not sure if this is the right link but - http://www.evanscycles.com/products/...-bike-ec042944

Giant Avail 1 or 2 - http://www.giant-bicycles.com/en-us/...1/11526/55903/

macnab

I bought a Boardman Team Carbon new in 2010 and have never had a problem with it. I built a Trek Madone 5.2 Pro with Dura-Ace gear last year and to be honest the Boardman is almost as good as it for half the money.
I would caution that the sizes are hard to judge. I bought a Medium which is sold as a 53cm, but the horizontal bar measurement is closer to 55cm.
I also have a Carrera TDF as a winter bike, I put a set of Shimano RS80 wheels on it recently and the bike was transformed from a heavy commuter into a half decent racer. The wheel set on the TDF weighs about 4kg:eek:

ratracer

I'd buy the Boardman Carbon Fibre. It's a nice looking bike and it has a nice Shimano set up for the use you intend to give it. As per your other thread, the 11-25 casette is set up to match the compact chainset on the bike. I would think that a 12-28T cassette is best suited to a 52-39 chain ring. Looked after correctly you will get plenty of miles out if this bike. Later on down the line you could upgrade the wheels easily. Do you use clipless pedals? Easiest way to increase your cycling and pedal efficiency.

Also, if you're buying in Halfords, do you have an AXA insurance policy, as with an AXA card you can get 10% off the price.

brownetara

ratracer wrote: »

I'd buy the Boardman Carbon Fibre. It's a nice looking bike and it has a nice Shimano set up for the use you intend to give it.

The guy in the shop is saying the Carrera comes with the 105 shifters and that for this reason I might be better going for that as they're better?

brownetara

Virago back in the mix as they have smaller frame in Dublin! Oh decisions, decisions!!

ratracer

Ah, I was recommending the boardman because you had ruled out the carrera. Both of those are very similar, so I'd put it down to the preferred colour schemes although the full 105 groupset as opposed to the 105 tiagra mix is worth considering.

brownetara

ratracer wrote: »

Ah, I was recommending the boardman because you had ruled out the carrera. Both of those are very similar, so I'd put it down to the preferred colour schemes although the full 105 groupset as opposed to the 105 tiagra mix is worth considering.

Righto, will see what the medium Carrera feels like at the weekend and then decide. Thanks,
T

TychoCaine

brownetara wrote: »

The guy in the shop is saying the Carrera comes with the 105 shifters and that for this reason I might be better going for that as they're better?

That's a very good point. The 105 shifters are far better than the Tiagra ones.

Craig06

TychoCaine wrote: »

That's a very good point. The 105 shifters are far better than the Tiagra ones.

I don't think there's much in it now tbh. My tiagra 10 speed shifts spot on every time. Depends how well you've indexed the gears.