Best value Carbon Road Bike

[willicoco]

thanks, but I'm not looking for one, if that's what you thought
I thought Robalert might be interested.

I'm not sure about the virtue of these really cheap carbon frames. It's a safe bet that they're not as good or reliable as something like a kg486, and if they're not super light (are they?), I don't see the point. I'd probably go for a mid-range alu frame. which is what I recently did: BMC Street Fire, baby!!
Nice

sweet as doh for me, i should've read the whole thread properly!

i was told there are varying grades and qualities in carbon and sort of assumed the would end up dictating the final price of the product.

i am pretty new to this whole gig though, having only picked up a pure road bike 3 mnths ago to do the rtbay.

 

[yogie]

Specialised roubaix kills Giant OCR composite hands down. You have to try it... the frame is incredible.

Value for money... the Giants are better value for money, but the frame/ride will not be as comfortable as the Specialised.

 

[mjs4300]

I would love to upgrade to a full carbon framed beast but don't want to spend a bomb

I love the ride characteristics of carbon combined with its lightness and bling factor

Wonder what ppl think is best value for around $3K

I am a fan of the OCR composite but seems there is quite a bit of competition against Giant these days

I was speaking to a mate of mine ( yes I do Have one) who has just spent five days at the cycling international trade show in New Zealand. He said that the specialized range has just hit the market with a range of bikes suited to the mid market rider, $2500-$3500, carbon fibre and very svelt. The 07 range will hit the shops in October and there are some sexy bikes in that lot. I would check it out. Although the Avanti Monza 06 is my pick beautiful Farrari red NICE BIKE

 

[JimmyC42]

...mid market rider, $2500-$3500, carbon fibre and very svelt.

I was quite dissapointed to learn the Tarmac Comp is now the entry level Tarmac for '07. At $4200NZD that's a quite a wad. The Roubaix Elite will be circa $3300NZ again for '07...

Are you talking NZ, AUD or USD for your price range, or is there a whole other range of all carbon Spesh's I haven't heard about yet?

J.

 

[mjs4300]

I was quite dissapointed to learn the Tarmac Comp is now the entry level Tarmac for '07. At $4200NZD that's a quite a wad. The Roubaix Elite will be circa $3300NZ again for '07...

Are you talking NZ, AUD or USD for your price range, or is there a whole other range of all carbon Spesh's I haven't heard about yet?

J.

AUD. I am also in the market for a new roadie and was chatting with him about this yesterday. So I guess it is $AUD and not NZ, besides that may well have been prices he could do for me as part of a small group that take part in an orgainised ride by the shop.

 

[bayrunner]

Hi, i bought an Avanti Carbonio ,2006 model for $1,900 about four months ago. I had looked at Giants , Gitanes, Treks etc before i saw the Avanti, man as soon as i saw that bike i knew it was the one for me as i have said in one of my other posts. I took it for a test ride ,the 105 gear is really good too ,the lines are great as well ,nice looking bike for under two grand, Have had nothing but great feedback from people who have seen the bike ,even from guys that ride giants and other bikes as well, Im very happy with the way the bike rides , it;s so light and responsive and it absorbs the road surface well , makes for a good ride, anyway I have only good things to say about avanti,s Hope my experience helps you to make a choice of bike!
Bayrunner.

 

[Alpenrose]

I don't know if it's the best value, but it's certainly a good price. Their other bikes are great!

http://www.bikesdirect.com/products/motobecane/immortalforce_pre.htm

yeah, I've heard similar stories. Some people say they're ****, but i know a guy who's AT LEAST 110kg, a bit of a sprinter, has raced alu and carbon Giants all his life, reckons they're grouse, and hasn't cracked one of them.

I know another guy who is about 85kg, who busted 3 TCR alu frames. He eventually got sick of replaceing them and bought a Dogma

 

[yogie]

I was speaking to a mate of mine ( yes I do Have one) who has just spent five days at the cycling international trade show in New Zealand. He said that the specialized range has just hit the market with a range of bikes suited to the mid market rider, $2500-$3500, carbon fibre and very svelt. The 07 range will hit the shops in October and there are some sexy bikes in that lot. I would check it out. Although the Avanti Monza 06 is my pick beautiful Farrari red NICE BIKE

Yah the Specialised Roboiux Elite are very good but the current model (ie the blue one with some white in the front tube) is not the best looking bike. I believe there may be a silverist one out which may be better. But the Avantis in Ferrari red are a real killer. Nice!!!!

 

[db69]

Sorry but the Giants might be a good bike but to me they seem like bums, everyones got one.

Had a peek at the new Specialized Roubaix. If the SWorks is anything to go by the the lower spec models are just as appealing.

Check the sexy curved top tube (Tarmac style). Except base model they all get the same design.



I want a bike that looks as good as it feels.

Check out the launch of the S Works Roubaix and tell me if it doesn't turn your cranks?

http://www.cyclingnews.com/photos/2006/tech/features/specialized_roubaix_launch/specialized_001.jpg

 

[robbowatson]

Sorry but the Giants might be a good bike but to me they seem like bums, everyones got one.

Had a peek at the new Specialized Roubaix. If the SWorks is anything to go by the the lower spec models are just as appealing.

Check the sexy curved top tube (Tarmac style). Except base model they all get the same design.



I want a bike that looks as good as it feels.

Check out the launch of the S Works Roubaix and tell me if it doesn't turn your cranks?

http://www.cyclingnews.com/photos/2006/tech/features/specialized_roubaix_launch/specialized_001.jpghttp://www.cyclingnews.com/photos/2006/tech/features/specialized_roubaix_launch/specialized_001.jpghttp://www.cyclingnews.com/photos/2006/tech/features/specialized_roubaix_launch/specialized_001.jpg

About a month ago I got myself the Tarmac Expert, and I wouldn't have a different frame shape over anything else now. It is so nice to ride that I'm even thinking of selling my old Allez comp to get another one! This way I can commute on one and then do proper rides on the other-a bit nuts I know, but I think I've just found the bike of my dreams...not bad since I picked it up for under £2K...

 

[JimmyC42]

Sorry but the Giants might be a good bike but to me they seem like bums, everyones got one.

Had a peek at the new Specialized Roubaix. If the SWorks is anything to go by the the lower spec models are just as appealing.

Check the sexy curved top tube (Tarmac style). Except base model they all get the same design.



I want a bike that looks as good as it feels.

Check out the launch of the S Works Roubaix and tell me if it doesn't turn your cranks?

http://www.cyclingnews.com/photos/2006/tech/features/specialized_roubaix_launch/specialized_001.jpghttp://www.cyclingnews.com/photos/2006/tech/features/specialized_roubaix_launch/specialized_001.jpghttp://www.cyclingnews.com/photos/2006/tech/features/specialized_roubaix_launch/specialized_001.jpg

I'm with you about a bike looking as good as it feels, but Spesh have done a bit to make their bikes harder to obtain for '07.

1stly, the new Roubaix Elite and Comp models for '07 don't get the sexy curved top tube of their more expensive siblings, and on top of that they get the worst looking paint jobs I've seen in a while.

Add to that the Tarmac Elite is not being made anymore and suddenly getting a sexy Spesh kicks off at $4299NZD rrp... (Tarmac Comp) Way too much coin for me, and 'only' 105 componentry too...

I'm back to investigating the OCR Comps again... '06 on run out, Carbon, Ultegra, for $2500NZ is a very good deal. Leaves you coin to replace the inferior brakes and wheels...

 

[Thylacine]

Sorry but the Giants might be a good bike but to me they seem like bums, everyones got one.

Yeah, I can see how a bike with 10,000 identical copies can seem less individual than one with 20,000

 

[jock.c]

Just an aside while you're on the carbon frame thang.

LBS has the Gitane Mach 2400 in store. Full CF frame with DA. Ugly lookin' thing. Went to pick it up and the first thing I noticed was that I could make the top tube flex when squeezed between thumb and first two fingers!

Now I know the ME's are going to say "well the TT isn't meant to take loads in that plane", but WTF? Is it just me or is it a bad thing for a frame to be distorted in any plane with minimal force?

 

[db69]

Ok so I really want a BAUM titanium/carbon custom frame on Boras and campy equip.
Anyone know where I can get one for under 3k - no neither do I!

Just pulling a few chains.
Saw a guy today belting it out on a clunker MTB with the biggest smile. That was the best bike in the world because he was having the best time.

Horses for courses. Best bang for your buck etc

Whatever makes you smile. Go for it!

 

[db69]

Hey JockC have you checked the frame over for a valve? Maybe the frame needed to be pumped up a few psi

Did you take the bike or walk out the door in disbelief and tears?

Any expenation from the dealer?

 

[jock.c]

Hey JockC have you checked the frame over for a valve? Maybe the frame needed to be pumped up a few psi

Did you take the bike or walk out the door in disbelief and tears?

Any expenation from the dealer?

Just walked out. LBS guys always have an explanantion (read ******** story) for defects, flaws, and other identifiable problems. Always believable. Always ********.

 

[62vette]

I just bought a carbon bike a month, but only because it was a good price to replace the aluminium bike that I used to ride (which got munted in an altercation with a car.)

To be perfectly honest the old GT was about as comfortable as the new bike, and the main benefit of the new job is that it is lighter and perhaps a little stiffer.

At the same level of componentry, aluminium is generally only a few hundred less than carbon, and that gap is getting closer.

The bottom line is buy a bike that fits you with the best level of componentry you are prepared to shell out on. Construction material is immaterial (pun intended.)

 

[caferacerwanabe]

I suppose Colnago's choice would have to be a deciding factor. When he wanted to produce a range of bikes in Asia who did Ernesto choose? & Trek before him.

......GIANT.


a boutique brand they may not be but for cost effective performance you can't really find better.

 

[531Aussie]

I

Are you a Cafe Racer Wannabe?
If they won't have ya, Kennedy will let you have a coffee out the front of his shop