Carbon or Aluminium

Smokeyskelton

I think that the general opinion seems to be that a more expensive (and therefore hopefully better) aluminium frame is preferable to a lower end carbon frame at around the same price.

So which would fellow esteemed Boardsies recommend between the following:

There have been glowing encomiums on this forum for the Planet X SL Pro Carbon Ultegra bike at €1,299.99 http://planetxireland.com/products-page/road/pro-carbon-ultegra-pre-order/

However there have also been many threads steering buyers towards Canyon for value. The Canyon Roadlite AL 7.0 2014 retails at €1,299 (plus €57 odd for delivery). https://www.canyon.com/_en/roadbikes/bike.html?b=3193

Now at least Planet X is based in Ireland (an outlet anyway) so a little bit of the cash stays in the economy, and there is a (reasonably) local contact for warranty issues. The Canyon is also €57 more expensive, but I believe they supply a torque wrench in that price, which would probably cost about the same, and I really should get one anyway.

Are the components on the Canyon sufficiently superior to justify going Aluminium? The Canyon is listed at 7.95kg, does anyone have a weight for the Planet X, I couldn't see it listed on their site.

So what say ye? Canyon or Planet X?

p.s. I'm merely curious at the moment as I can't afford either, but I can dream can't I? Maybe next year.

Roger Hassenforder

had to google "encomiums"
chapeau!

I'd go for the Canyon FWIW

Eamonnator

The torque wrench, that come with the Canyon, is a pretty basic affair, it would cost about a fiver, so you can take that out of the equation.
My Planet X SL Pro, size XL weighs about 7.9Kgs. I upgraded to a carbon seatpost and chainset. That includes pedals.
I still don't know, what "econiums" means, and my auto spell doesn't recognise it.

Morrisseeee

Top end aluminium for racing
Carbon for sportives

Dermot Illogical

Roger Hassenforder wrote: »

had to google "encomiums"
chapeau!

I'd go for the Canyon FWIW

+1

May I also add my most sincere contrafibularities on the use of encomiums.

WillyFXP

I'd personally wait for www.rosebikes.com 2014 models. Their alu frames are amazing.

Roger Hassenforder

Dermot Illogical wrote: »

+1

May I also add my most sincere contrafibularities on the use of encomiums.

you didnt think he was a bit tautological though? :P

Smokeyskelton

May I offer my most heartfelt gratitudinosity for your kind responses, particularly for the chapeau and the contrafibularities. I am unlikely to receive them for my cycling ability, so it's gratifying to at least receive them on my post.

Perhaps to obviate commentary on my phraseology I should have employed a more common term such as "panegyric". Apologies all, it shall not recur.

Back to business. Canyon seems to be the winner here. Is it the frame or the components that swing it for you?

I had a look at Rose too, but I wasn't as keen on the look of the bikes (shallow I know). I will wait for the 2014 versions and have a look. They seem slightly more expensive for full Ultegra though. I also find their site pretty poor. Are their frames much better than Canyon, and if so how?

Any of these bikes are far above my abilities, and at the moment I can't afford them. Next year I may bite the bullet, unless of course they announce an end to the Bike to Work Scheme in the Budget, in which case I'll "invest" immediately! :eek:

Thanks for your replies.