Question for the geared boys. Carbon frame S*it group or alu with good kit

Gonna be in the market for a new geared bike, the same money seems to get carbon with tiagra/105/mirage kit as alu with dura ace/ chorus / record kit. So where to spend the money frame or group? I've never ridden full crabon before, so will be giving them a try shortly.

How much are you looking to spend?

Personally I'd always choose frame over group.
My roadbike came with Ultegra which is slowly changing into DA.
It's tricky to upgrade a frame bit by bit!

Agreed

depends on what you use it for really, carbon bikes are rather fragile, as far as i know most people (minus those vain numbers) who own them do races or tri on them and sell them off after a season or 2. i personally think it makes more sense to buy an alu frame with good kit.

what about that taiwanese colnago? arte or whatever it was. looked a good deal to me.

Ribble cycles sell complete groupsets at a reasonable discount. I'd say buy the carbon bike (might have better contact points too) and then in 9-12 months buy a centaur or chorus groupset from ribble and sell your old complete groupset here or on eBay.

Yeah, depends. If I was building a crit bike to race I'd have a cheaper alu frame with Ultegra on it.
If it was a starting point for a long ride/sportive bike with the potential to upgrade it later then spend more on the frame and less on the groupo.

carbon bikes are rather fragile

Bollocks...

Can you borrow a carbon/alu bike off friends to take for a proper test ride ie. not just round the block from the bike shop? It won't be true reflection of the bike material you will eventually end up owning (each manufacturer will utilise the materials in very different ways), but you'll get a feel for the difference in character of ALu/Carbon and whether you think this will suit your style of riding.

And groupsets, if you're looking for quality, entry-level components, 105 is faultless - but don't dip down into Tiagra if you can help it,

Have you got any bikes in mind? The '08 ranges are starting to come on sale now ...and '09 ranges being unveiled to further confuse things.

depends on what you use it for really, carbon bikes are rather fragile, as far as i know most people (minus those vain numbers) who own them do races or tri on them and sell them off after a season or 2. i personally think it makes more sense to buy an alu frame with good kit.

That's bollocks that is. Carbon when built properly is as robust as aluminium and will easily last as long. It also offers, in my experience a much more comfortable ride. My carbon frame is akin to riding on a magic carpet.

carbon frame with ultegra, there are heaps and heaps of bikes on the market (~£1000). also the main difference at higher levels are the wheels. if you are doing a lot of riding the carbon will be a much nicer ride compared to the very harsh aluminium.

check-out british cycling classifieds, some awesome deals available.
http://www.britishcycling.org.uk/web/site/BC/mem/classified_ads/classified_ads.asp

Nothing in mind as yet, 1000-1500 ish I think. Not keen on compact geo, so that might limit my choices somewhat, maybe something from mr and mr felt.

My carbon frame is akin to riding on a magic carpet.

...laterally stiff yet vertically compliant...

non-compact modern road bike, WTF??

non-compact modern road bike, WTF??

Here you go...

Here you go...

with DA kit, bit more ££'s than he's asking

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Colnago-C50-HP-Road-Bike_W0QQitemZ270268695028QQcmdZViewItem?hash=item270268695028&_trkparms=72%3A12%7C39%3A1%7C66%3A2%7C65%3A12%7C240%3A1318&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14

Still no mention of the type of riding?

Alu harsh..
YouTube - Chopper Reid - Harden the fuck up, Australia

Don't like stiffer, lighter compact geo..
YouTube - Chopper Reid - Harden the fuck up, Australia

Hey gizmond, I bought a Planet -X Carbon, with full Ultegra for £1000. It will cost me less as was able to buy it on Cyclesheme. I think they operate on a few different schemes so could be handy if your work has a scheme. At present, its about £1000 with Dura Ace bits. http://www.planet-x-warehouse.co.uk/?p=1821 It may be a compact but ask them to change it and they will. All the best bud, J

Focus Cayo, with Ultegra £999.99

Patient eBaying is your friend- my road bike had less than 20 miles on it, and I paid 43 percent of it's cost when new.

It helps if you are a bit shorter or taller than average mind you.

I known people with Aluminium and Carbon frames that have broken (both mountain bike frames though), though this was more than 10 years ago in both circumstances.

Can you borrow a carbon/alu bike off friends to take for a proper test ride ie. not just round the block from the bike shop? It won't be true reflection of the bike material you will eventually end up owning (each manufacturer will utilise the materials in very different ways), but you'll get a feel for the difference in character of ALu/Carbon and whether you think this will suit your style of riding.

And groupsets, if you're looking for quality, entry-level components, 105 is faultless - but don't dip down into Tiagra if you can help it,

Have you got any bikes in mind? The '08 ranges are starting to come on sale now ...and '09 ranges being unveiled to further confuse things.

Agree on that.

And groupsets, if you're looking for quality components, Campagnolo is faultless - but don't dip down into Shimano if you can help it,

Fixed...