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There are all these sales now for 2018 model road bikes, and so I'm getting sorely tempted.
I have a Giant TCR Alliance, which I like, but as the name suggests, it's half carbon, half-aluminium. I kind of fancy having a full-carbon bike, because some of the nice ones I've ridden in the past have been so amazing.
Any suggestions? I'm not sure how much I want to pay, please don't ask me that question.
Are disc brakes worth having? I've got them on my commuter where they are essential, but are they at a point where I won't be constantly fettling them (shimano caliper seals, grrrr).
Obviously being old, and fat, means that if I shave 500g off the weight of my bike, that will only make me 1% faster uphill, which is a little depressing.
Maybe I should save the money and spend it on some flights to the Pyrenees instead.
Actually, this seems like a pretty good deal:
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/vitus-vitesse-evo-cr-disc-road-bike-ultegra-2018/rp-prod159790
Although, I probably ought to try it out before buying; the snazziest bike I've ever rented I also just couldn't get on with the geometry.
There’s a few useful musings on this recent thread I started https://singletrackmag.com/forum/topic/1500-road-bike-recommendations-potential-moon-on-a-stick/
I’m now riding the end result and very pleased with it.
Another TCR. Great geometry, as you have discovered, light, disks if you want them. They are great all round road bikes which offer excellent value for money.
What do you like about your alliance? What would you change? WNt something a little less slack? Something a kilo lighter? Something red? Your TCR is a very good frame already.
I'd say if you have to ask if disc brakes are essential, then they probably aren't (to you) e.g. you've obviously not suffered any near death experiences failing to slow down for junctions or traffic and aren't wearing through a set of rims every season.
Whatever your budget is, you'll get a heavier bike with lower spec components if you go down the disc route, and I've never stopped fiddling with mine to try and stop them squeeling in wet conditions.
I should caveat the above by saying I *think* I'm in the running for the forum's 'most excessively negative about disc brakes' poster award... 😉
Cube attain GTC can be had for buttons, full carbon frame & fork, mavic wheels, 105. Great geometry. Been our best seller before the sale, sold two yesterday. Literally flying out the door
Test ride, test ride, test ride.
To make sure there is a benefit that's worthwhile to you.
Well, cycling to the Blue Egg cafe, even the rim brakes have barely been used. Not sure what the point of discs would be on this bike.
Electronic shifting though could definitely appeal.
Thinking about the same but more along the lines of an endurance for the more relaxed geometry.
I tried out a 2018 Giant Propel this morning. I thought it would be horribly twitchy and unpleasant, but it's actually really nice to ride. I think if I can get 28mm tyres in there it will be perfect (Cambridgeshire roads are pretty rough these days).
Well, having gone and visited another bike shop, and tried a nice, but not spectacularly amazing Trek, you know, I think I might do better to just not buy another bike at all, but instead just get an Ultegra groupset, and maybe some nice aero carbon wheels for those stupidly windy Cambridgeshire days. I'll spend less money, and end up with a nicer bike.
And the difference between the amount I'll spend on groupset+wheels, and the equivalent cost of a similarly specced road bike (bike+carbon wheels == £2.2k minimum as far as I can tell) I can spend on a week in the Pyrenees.
It also means I don't have to feel bad about a load of glue and carbon fibre ending up in landfill.
Ultegra groupset and wheels for the win.
And the difference between the amount I’ll spend on groupset+wheels, and the equivalent cost of a similarly specced road bike (bike+carbon wheels == £2.2k minimum as far as I can tell
Full carbon Cube attain with full Ultegra mechanical can be had for £1500
Yes, I looked at that, but I thought I would make myself feel a bit sad if I spent £1500 and ended up with a heavier bike than the one I've got now, albeit with some pointless disc brakes.
If I want a heavy disc brake bike I can just ride my Boardman CX bike for free.
Anyway, I've bought an Ultegra groupset from Merlin which was on special offer - that should fix the main thing that actually annoys me about my road bike, which is the terrible shifting.
And since I've narrowly avoided spending several £k on a pointless new road bike, I now have enough money spare to go for an amazing ride somewhere, I just need to figure out where, and still have change left over for some pointlessly bling wheels.
Propel has the same geometry as your TCR so it will have felt very familiar. Has a longer head tube and not quite as stiff. Great bikes. I can’t fit a 28 Rubino winter tyre in the back, but 25c are fine. Narrows 27c may fit. In fact it will go in deflated and can be pumped up, but not the best strategy!
If you really want 28-30c look elsewhere. But the Propel is a great bike. Defy is probably a better choice if you want disk brakes. Race bike. Same long head tube as Propel, bigger tyre clearance, compact frame. Very slightly slacker geometry, but definitely a race bike. I’ve raced mine many times. And raced the Propels even more. There’s really not a lot in it.
I think you’ll end up with a TCR 😉