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Carbon Fibre Bike - Advice Please
I was tempted by the Cycle to Work scheme last year but not enough to part with any money. This year might be different but I could do with some advice from you carbon fibred folk.
Planet X are doing one of their good deals again but I've never ridden a CF frame before so don't know what they're like in terms of comfort/stiffness. What's leading me towards CF is that having done some longer rides over the last couple of weeks on my alu frame (with CF forks) I've been getting a sore lower back. I don't get the same problem on comparable or longer rides on my steel frame. Setup on both bikes is very similar so I don't think it's bike fit.
Also to add to the mix, my steel frame is rusting badly in places and I'm in desperate need of new cassette/chain and possibly a chain ring, oh, and the rear mech adjustment is shot, so it might be time to relegate it to the turbo. My other issue with my alu frame is that it is very light and stiff, so much so that coming down the slope at Northfields my back wheel bounces about like a good 'un when I'm on the rivet. Back wheel skipping at 30mph isn't a great deal of fun.
What do I want the bike for? Summer bike duties so a few TTs/club runs if I ever get a chance to come out/training.
Has anyone experience of Planet-X Model B wheels? I'm not the lightest guy in the world at 90kg so don't want to come home with wobbly wheels after every ride.
All input appreciated.
Darren
Planet X are doing one of their good deals again but I've never ridden a CF frame before so don't know what they're like in terms of comfort/stiffness. What's leading me towards CF is that having done some longer rides over the last couple of weeks on my alu frame (with CF forks) I've been getting a sore lower back. I don't get the same problem on comparable or longer rides on my steel frame. Setup on both bikes is very similar so I don't think it's bike fit.
Also to add to the mix, my steel frame is rusting badly in places and I'm in desperate need of new cassette/chain and possibly a chain ring, oh, and the rear mech adjustment is shot, so it might be time to relegate it to the turbo. My other issue with my alu frame is that it is very light and stiff, so much so that coming down the slope at Northfields my back wheel bounces about like a good 'un when I'm on the rivet. Back wheel skipping at 30mph isn't a great deal of fun.
What do I want the bike for? Summer bike duties so a few TTs/club runs if I ever get a chance to come out/training.
Has anyone experience of Planet-X Model B wheels? I'm not the lightest guy in the world at 90kg so don't want to come home with wobbly wheels after every ride.
All input appreciated.
Darren
Comments
similar isn't the same, and a slight difference in saddle height,angle or saddle to drop extension can make a significant difference in ride and lower back stress.
I don't think you can beat Planet X for quality/price. As to ride..very good and absolutely no complaints. My absolute preference would be titanium. Have ridden aluminium and steel also..but as both were made to measure I have had a totally satisfactory ride with each.
Darren
I would say titanium and steel are the most comfortable, aluminium the least and CF depends on how its laid up. Certainly my Cervelo is a lot more comfortable than my aluminium cannondale, which does exactly as you describe with your alu frame. The Cervelo does not do this and ive found it great for all day riding. My steel bikes are probably more comfortable but nothing like as responsive, light or efficient.
Re. bike to work, my wife is looking at getting a new bike through the scheme and we have been looking at the Carbon Boardman (£999, which is, i think the limit for the bike to work scheme) This is already stunning value for money and gets great reviews so what you pay under the bike to work scheme is almost a no brainer. the down side is having to deal with Halfords, weve been to 3 branches and they dont even know what sizes are on their stands and cant answer any questions. I had to go and get a tape measure at the Cambridge store to persuade the salesman that the 2 bikes on his stand were not the same size and had to measure it myself to work out which size we were looking at. You also cannot use the bike to work voucher online.
Tim.
Everyone tells me that titanium is great comfort wise. Unfortunately I don't have the money for that at the moment, not unless I can sell off the wife and kids to slave traders.
I'm interested in the Boardman as well but I'm not sure about the SRAM shifters. The rear mech also needs adjusting quite often from what I've heard. I am a bit of a creature of habit though. Ever since I could afford a decent bike I've had Ultegra or its predecessor and it works for me so I've stuck with it.
Lots of places can handle the vouchers online. I know a number of people who have bought through Ribble. Planet-X are also set up for it.
One thing I am a bit wary about with the latest scheme is the proposed future market value. My company has just launched the scheme but can't definitively tell us what we'll have to pay at the end of the agreement. Could be as much as £200 to pay back. Apparently it will be by self-assessment but I think they might smell a rat when everyone says they have run their bikes into the ground so they only pay 5%.
Darren