Advice needed regarding road bike upgrade

heartofwhite

Hi Guys,

I am looking for an outside perspective on which bike to go for! I have been looking too long. The following are my choices:

http://www.fitzcycles.ie/p/2066/cube-peloton (Cube Peleton Race SL)

http://www.fitzcycles.ie/p/1558/cube-peloton (Cube Peleton Race)

https://www.cyclesuperstore.ie/shop/pc/viewPrd.asp?idproduct=82556 (Defy 0)

https://www.cyclesuperstore.ie/shop/pc/viewPrd.asp?idproduct=82546 (Defy 1)

http://www.marreybikes.com/men-s-race-bikes-500-1499/4621-focus-culebro-sl-20-mcp-road-bike-2015-.html (Focus Culebro SL)

I would appreciate advice on which offers the best value for money:spec ratio? I do a lot of sportives (100-160k normally) and my current bike is a 2013 Boardman Road Comp, 18 speed Sora which is grand but I want to move up in the world! I will be doing the bike to work scheme (smaller tax bracket) and paying the extra in cash.

Any thoughts on what rank they should come in?

Ronan

jon1981

I'd add this cube to the mix...

http://shop.pennyfarthingcycles.com/product-p/c-ag-pro.htm

Full carbon and 105s for 1299.

AlanDeGenerous

The Cube Peloton Race is out of stock in Fitzcycles until mid June at the earliest (and everywhere else I'm told), so that eliminates one of the options unless you're willing to wait that long! Fitz are doing a deal on the SL though to cover themselves, €1,075 instead of €1,150. I'm (hopefully) picking mine up tomorrow!

heartofwhite

What is the difference between the Peleton Race and the Race SL? Is it worth paying the extra 150 euro? I was in with the lads today and they have size 58 in stock I think.

heartofwhite

What is the difference between the Peleton Race and the Race SL? Is it worth paying the extra 150 euro? I was in with the lads today and they have size 58 in stock I think.

jon1981

heartofwhite wrote: »

What is the difference between the Peleton Race and the Race SL? Is it worth paying the extra 150 euro? I was in with the lads today and they have size 58 in stock I think.

]I think it's ultegra vs 105 Goupsets and maybe the wheels too. Cube's website shows the spec of both bike. I've never used ultegra so can't say but the 105s are great, very solid and responsive[/quote]

Cee-Jay-Cee

jon1981 wrote: »

I'd add this cube to the mix...

http://shop.pennyfarthingcycles.com/product-p/c-ag-pro.htm

Full carbon and 105s for 1299.

Id be going for this one.

heartofwhite

Cee-Jay-Cee wrote: »

Id be going for this one.

I looked at this today alright but I cannot afford the extra 300!

terrydel

Am I right in saying the cheaper cube carbon frames are made from low quality carbon?

heartofwhite

Yep I think the Carbon is very much entry level low quality but at that price point, I am not suprised.

heartofwhite

I am going to pick up the Peloton SL next week but before I do is there any other better options I am missing for 1150 or lower?

petethedrummer

Don't buy any of these bikes. You have a perfectly good bike. Spend 100 euros getting the boardman serviced and it will feel like new. Take the 1000 saved and spend it on your family/friends or put it towards your pension.

Cyclewizard

petethedrummer wrote: »

Don't buy any of these bikes. You have a perfectly good bike. Spend 100 euros getting the boardman serviced and it will feel like new. Take the 1000 saved and spend it on your family/friends or put it towards your pension.

Or get a nice set of wheels for 400ish and that'll transform the bike

terrydel

Cyclewizard wrote: »

Or get a nice set of wheels for 400ish and that'll transform the bike

Gotta agree with the two posts above.
Personally I'd only upgrade if it were to something palpably better than what you have, an entry level cube wouldn't fall into that category imho.

heartofwhite

Would the bike not be lighter with a better gear system 105 v Sora and better wheels? I got the Boardman serviced a couple of weeks ago. Nothing wrong with the bike but I just feel like an upgrade!

heartofwhite

Would the bike not be lighter with a better gear system 105 v Sora and better wheels? I got the Boardman serviced a couple of weeks ago. Nothing wrong with the bike but I just feel like an upgrade!

pointer28

How about upgrading it yourself if you're that way inclined, you might get great satisfaction from it.

I got a tool kit for Christmas and a workstand lately and I love working on my bike now whereas I usually despise anything in the least bit mechanical.

Most jobs on bikes are surprisingly simple if you take your time and do some research (youtube is fantastic).

I have a cheap alloy bike too and later in the year I'm going to do a full groupset upgrade.

rtmie

heartofwhite wrote:

Would the bike not be lighter with a better gear system 105 v Sora and better wheels? I got the Boardman serviced a couple of weeks ago. Nothing wrong with the bike but I just feel like an upgrade!

Aksiums just one step up from cxps I think, grand they're what I have myself but not a big jump up. I'll probably upgrade them when I have a few bob.
Frame/fork of what you have probably at least as good as ones you listed. Boardman Road Comp always gets great reviews.

Step up wheels would be Campag Zondas. Probably cost in region of 340 online (swimcyclerun , wiggle etc). Relatively quick to fit.
You could probably buy 5800 group set for less than 400 online. 388 at the moment on Ribble.
LBS would probably fit for reasonable fee. Might be cheaper to source through them.
You could go wheels first and then see if you still want group set.

Still though new bikes are shiny and attractive. Constant urge for us all to resist!

Cee-Jay-Cee

petethedrummer wrote: »

Don't buy any of these bikes. You have a perfectly good bike. Spend 100 euros getting the boardman serviced and it will feel like new. Take the 1000 saved and spend it on your family/friends or put it towards your pension.

No it won't. Gear changes might be a bit smoother if the bike hasnt been regularly serviced but he'll notice bugger all difference if he otherwise keeps his bike in good nick.

Where do you get your bike serviced that costs €100??? Most places do it for €25-€35

petethedrummer

Cee-Jay-Cee wrote: »

No it won't. Gear changes might be a bit smoother if the bike hasnt been regularly serviced but he'll notice bugger all difference if he otherwise keeps his bike in good nick.

Where do you get your bike serviced that costs €100??? Most places do it for €25-€35

Apart from headset installation and wheel truing, I service my own bikes. That was a random round figure pulled out of thin air. Taking into consideration a large number of replaced parts.

New brake & gear cables (inners and outers), brake pads, some new bar tape, a new cassette and chain and some wheel truing make any bike feel like new again. I don't where you'd get all that for 25-35 quid including labour!

Cee-Jay-Cee

petethedrummer wrote: »

Apart from headset installation and wheel truing, I service my own bikes. That was a random round figure pulled out of thin air. Taking into consideration a large number of replaced parts.

New brake & gear cables (inners and outers), brake pads, some new bar tape, a new cassette and chain and some wheel truing make any bike feel like new again. I don't where you'd get all that for 25-35 quid including labour!

A service to most people generally means a cable or two replaced, gears indexed, a wheel trued etc not every serviceable part on the bike replaced.

And I'm sorry but even doing all
You suggested still won't equate to a shiny new bike, it's the same old bike with a few new parts.