Hi i'm considering treating myself to an upgrade, a nice second bike, spending up to 2000ukp. ( keeping the current one for commuting & bad weather.)
I was thinking ultegra and carbon frame? .. and I just like the look of the orbea onix framed bikes ( Orbea Tour )
Any opinions on this bike vs rivals ( any recomendations are welcome ) ? how much difference in terms of ride and performance etc round about this price will you get from a full carbon frame vs a hybrid frame ... if i've understood correctly the point of carbon is extra rigidity whilst also being able to absorb vibration hence the use of carbon forks and the hybrid frames.
According to my LBS when comparing a few other bikes (at a lower price.. the) i was told the step up to a carbon frame would actually impact the riding experience more than the jump from 105 to ultegra components.
( Another shop told me some aluminium frames are actually stiffer than carbon and carbons mainly about the comfortable ride.. again if this is so would a higher spec aluminium bike be like ? )
You have to ride the bike to see how it feels for YOU, not based on someone else's opinion. Seems like the people that rip AL as being too harsh fall into 2 categories: 1) someone trying to sell a carbon bike and 2) someone who bought a carbon bike. AL frame with carbon seat stays is a very popular combo. Orbea makes some fine bikes BTW.
AL frame is good, if it is new. But AL frame is not so durable as Carbon frame. Me and my friends, we all have purchased AL frames about 5 years ago. We are riding about 5000 km per year on athose AL frames. The feeling of all the frames is, that they are too flexy now and it is time to buy new ones. Carbon and Steel is much more durable than AL.
So if You do not want to get rid of the frame after several seasons, buy carbon or steel frame. It's properties are much more stable in time.
I have Carbon, Steel and AL frames. Now I'm considering what to do, with AL frame, because it's time is over. New frame will surely be cheaper cabon or more expensive steel one.
