Upgrading to Carbon Road Bike ?

derv

I want to upgrade to a carbon road bike.
I have already used my Bike2Work, and I am trying to find the most cost effective way of getting a carbon road bike.

I have been looking at the following options:

1) Buying a carbon frame - and taking the parts from my current bike.
Then over time upgrade the parts when I can afford it.
My current bike is a 2009 Lapierre with Shimano 2200.

2) Buy a 2nd hand carbon bike & sell my bike.

3) Wait a while and save up. (Not the preferred option - I have no patience)

Can anyone give and recommendations/advice on upgrading to a carbon bike? What would you do?

Thanks,

MajesticDonkey

derv wrote: »

I want to upgrade to a carbon road bike.
I have already used my Bike2Work, and I am trying to find the most cost effective way of getting a carbon road bike.

I have been looking at the following options:

1) Buying a carbon frame - and taking the parts from my current bike.
Then over time upgrade the parts when I can afford it.
My current bike is a 2009 Lapierre with Shimano 2200.

2) Buy a 2nd hand carbon bike & sell my bike.

3) Wait a while and save up. (Not the preferred option - I have no patience)

Can anyone give and recommendations/advice on upgrading to a carbon bike? What would you do?

Thanks,

I like your lack of patience - I'm a bit that way

Out of those options, I'd probably go with buying a second hand bike. Here's an example.

chester3455

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AltAccount

Are you a member of the Credit Union?

Seweryn

derv wrote: »

I want to upgrade to a carbon road bike.
I have already used my Bike2Work, and I am trying to find the most cost effective way of getting a carbon road bike.

As a matter of interest, why you are limiting yourself to one frame material rather than searching for a bike that is best designed for what you need it to be?

ednwireland

chester3455 wrote: »

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mod note : not only are you not supposed to do it, your not supposed to discuss it here

derv

Seweryn wrote: »

As a matter of interest, why you are limiting yourself to one frame material rather than searching for a bike that is best designed for what you need it to be?

good question,
that's probably down to lack of knowledge. I am going to carbon purely to save weight and hopefully improve time.
I am working with the assumption that lighter it better...

do you have any recommendations?

ford2600

derv wrote: »

good question,
that's probably down to lack of knowledge. I am going to carbon purely to save weight and hopefully improve time.
I am working with the assumption that lighter it better...

do you have any recommendations?

What kind of cycling do you do?
How many miles per year?

Leisure and/or commutting?

mcgratheoin

derv wrote: »

that's probably down to lack of knowledge. I am going to carbon purely to save weight

What do you weigh? could you lose a kg or two more easily from yourself rather than the bike? 2200 on a carbon frame would be a bit of a waste imo.

My 2 cents would be to forget about a carbon frame and think more about upgrading your groupset or getting a new (new for you, possibly second hand) bike with better spec.


**edit** just as an aside, I'd personally take an aluminium frame with better groupset over a carbon frame with inferior groupset at the same price. e.g. Aluminium Canyon with ultegra for same price as CF Canyon with 105

AltAccount

mcgratheoin wrote: »

**edit** just as an aside, I'd personally take an aluminium frame with better groupset over a carbon frame with inferior groupset at the same price. e.g. Aluminium Canyon with ultegra for same price as CF Canyon with 105

I'd do the opposite, I'd always go for the better frame on the assumption that I'll upgrade the rest piecemeal over time, however upgrading the frame would take a bigger chunk of cash.

Seweryn

derv wrote: »

good question,
that's probably down to lack of knowledge. I am going to carbon purely to save weight and hopefully improve time.
I am working with the assumption that lighter it better...

The weight difference between a very good alloy frame and a carbon fibre frame is very marginal, i.e. 100 - 400 grams (or in some cases an alloy frame can be lighter). You can fit lighter tubes and tyres and gain that weight difference back. It really is not worth losing hair .

derv wrote: »

do you have any recommendations?

As for weight savings there are better options that are a lot cheaper, i.e.:

- lose some of your own weight (cheapest and most effective),
- wear lighter clothing,
- put lighter components onto your own bike,

The last and the most expensive option is obviously a new bike. If you are fancy one, I would go for best compromise, i.e. best possible frameset with reasonable components. But how much of a "weight upgrade" would that be comparing to your current bike?

Anyway, someone suggested a Canyon AL bike and that would be a great option. I would add a Cannondale CAAD 10 into the equation (I ride one and like it very much). These are typical road bikes with racing geometry, which may not be something you are looking for, so the first thing is to ask yourself a question about the type of riding you do and what do you want the bike for exactly.

derv

thanks all for the advice,
to answer the questions on what I will use it for..

I only use it for leisure, I am currently doing 100-150km a week.
I have signed up to a 700k cycle in September.
I have started to train for that - so will be upping to 300km - 500km a week throughout the summer.

I am currently 71kg and 5'7" - am working on the weight :-)

Is it a good idea to buy lightweight parts for an older bike? - seat post, bars, saddle etc?
My Lapierre weighs 9.9kg according to this: http://www.evanscycles.com/products/lapierre/r-lite-200-2009-road-bike-ec017836#features

Brian?

What's your budget? What size?

MajesticDonkey

derv wrote: »

thanks all for the advice,
to answer the questions on what I will use it for..

I only use it for leisure, I am currently doing 100-150km a week.
I have signed up to a 700k cycle in September.
I have started to train for that - so will be upping to 300km - 500km a week throughout the summer.

Yes, absolutely go with a carbon frame. Carbon frames are much more comfortable over longer distances, in my opinion. You can change the groupset down the line if you want.

derv

Brian? wrote: »

What's your budget? What size?

my current bike is a 54cm
i have not thought about the budget really - maybe 500 euro plus what my bike might be worth if i sell it (350?)


edit: would I even get a carbon frame for 500? (second hand)

bcmf

http://www.hongfu-bikes.com/html_products/FM001-225.html

Hong Fu FM 001 with the matching forks.
Should come in under €500 even with shipping and possible customs.
A really gorgeous frame and very comfy and fast.
I should know. I have one.

MajesticDonkey

derv wrote: »

my current bike is a 54cm
i have not thought about the budget really - maybe 500 euro plus what my bike might be worth if i sell it (350?)


edit: would I even get a carbon frame for 500? (second hand)

You'd be talking about €1000 for a new carbon frame, so I don't think you'll get much for €500...

bcmf

bcmf wrote: »

http://www.hongfu-bikes.com/html_products/FM001-225.html

Hong Fu FM 001 with the matching forks.
Should come in under €500 even with shipping and possible customs.
A really gorgeous frame and very comfy and fast.
I should know. I have one.

MajesticDonkey wrote: »

You'd be talking about €1000 for a new carbon frame, so I don't think you'll get much for €500...

Nope.
And pleasssseeee dont let this re-ignite the cheap carbon frame debate.I am a larger style guy and it hasnt disintegrated beneath me despite my best attempts

Skill Magill

derv wrote: »

I have signed up to a 700k cycle in September.


Is it a good idea to buy lightweight parts for an older bike? - seat post, bars, saddle etc?
My Lapierre weighs 9.9kg according to this: http://www.evanscycles.com/products/lapierre/r-lite-200-2009-road-bike-ec017836#features

Probably a better idea to stick an engine into it :eek:

Seweryn

Skill Magill wrote: »

Probably a better idea to stick an engine into it :eek:

Not necessarily. He never said in what length of time he is going to cover that distance. As a weekly challenge it is achievable.

MajesticDonkey

bcmf wrote: »

Nope.
And pleasssseeee dont let this re-ignite the cheap carbon frame debate.I am a larger style guy and it hasnt disintegrated beneath me despite my best attempts

Many people, including myself, mightn't feel comfortable buying from an Asian website. Not really sure why, but that's me. As well as that, most people will want some sort of well-known branded frame.

EDIT: I didn't see your post before I posted, BTW.

derv

Seweryn wrote: »

Not necessarily. He never said in what length of time he is going to cover that distance. As a weekly challenge it is achievable.

yes it's over 6 days. (from Paris to Nice)
we are doing on average 130k per day.

ford2600

OP i might be a bit old school here. But the following is my tuppence worth
If you don't know much about bike, start learning with current bike.
Clean it properely, learn to take care of drive train rims etc.
If you do so you will have more regard for your bike and when you do upgrade you will
know how to care for a bike properely.

In the meantime start saving for a decent 2nd hand bike.

The most important thing about being comfortable on a bike is fit not frame material.

Don't discount a nice steel or aluminium bike either.

Stop worrying about weight of bike and just cycle it more. As seweryn said much easier and cheaper to lose bodyweight.

derealbadger

bcmf wrote: »

http://www.hongfu-bikes.com/html_products/FM001-225.html

Hong Fu FM 001 with the matching forks.
Should come in under €500 even with shipping and possible customs.
A really gorgeous frame and very comfy and fast.
I should know. I have one.

I have one aswell love it but i bought mine of a guy who built it up with SRAM 10sp RIVAL group HF carbon bars {i love them} and HF carbon seat post brand new kenetic K1 wheels 2 brand new camelback bottles and CF bottle holders all for the very reasonable price of €1100 i have it 6 weeks and have put nearly 3000 km on it

Brian?

bcmf wrote: »

http://www.hongfu-bikes.com/html_products/FM001-225.html

Hong Fu FM 001 with the matching forks.
Should come in under €500 even with shipping and possible customs.
A really gorgeous frame and very comfy and fast.
I should know. I have one.

Id happily buy a hong fu myself.

Throw in a 2nd hand 105/rival gruppo and it could be a winner.

TinyExplosions

Brian? wrote: »

Id happily buy a hong fu myself.

Throw in a 2nd hand 105/rival gruppo and it could be a winner.

I'd also have no problem getting one of them