Bike Recommendation

[Mark Ogden]

Good day All.

I've recently moved to Cape Town, and am in desperate need of a new road bike to conquer the local hills and eventually Argus/CTCT.
I currently ride a Merida 880 from 2009, with a Shamano set.

My budget is ~R15000
Bike weight between 7.5kg and 10kg
I'm 184 CM tall, so 56 - 58 is the range.
I do prefer a 58 above a 56.
Full Carbon would be needed.

Bonuses:
Ultegra or Dura-Ace Set.
Disk Brakes
Run Flat Tires
Integrated Cadence Monitoring/GPS System

Any help or guidence would be appreciated.
I've been through the current availability in CT and there are several full Carbon Giants for sale, mostly 2016 models
Would this be a substantial upgrade for me?
Or am I just wasting my money?
 

Edited 13 hours ago by Mark Ogden
Adding additional info

[Chadvdw67]

Only you can really decide if it is really worth the upgrade or not

Edited 11 hours ago by Chadvdw67

[Jensie]

Any of these bikes will ride lekker and will not be too heavy. Depends on your preference, I ride a Giant and loves my bike.

https://bikehub.co.za/classifieds/item/road-bikes/774825/giant-tcr-large-campaqnolo-components

https://bikehub.co.za/classifieds/item/road-bikes/722829/felt-carbon-58cm-xl-campy

[Mark Ogden]

3 hours ago, Jensie said:

Any of these bikes will ride lekker and will not be too heavy. Depends on your preference, I ride a Giant and loves my bike.

https://bikehub.co.za/classifieds/item/road-bikes/774825/giant-tcr-large-campaqnolo-components

https://bikehub.co.za/classifieds/item/road-bikes/722829/felt-carbon-58cm-xl-campy

Thanks for the feedback. 
These are exactly in the range that I'm looking for.

[Mark Ogden]

4 hours ago, Chadvdw67 said:

Only you can really decide if it is really worth the upgrade or not

I have very little knowledge about bikes and components, I can list them, but it's just words and numbers for me.

Having someone say "I'm wasting my time by going from an aluminium to a carbon bike frame" or "I won't feel the difference going from an old Shamano alivio to a new Shemano ultegra", would be along the lines of critical feedback. Since no one has said that, I assume it is somewhat worthwhile.

Or perhaps I was also expecting more specific guidence like "If you are struggling to climb just upgrade your cassette. Or do more hill training as the bike isn't the problem."

Honestly any guidence would be helpful.

[Mamil]

41 minutes ago, Mark Ogden said:

I have very little knowledge about bikes and components, I can list them, but it's just words and numbers for me.

Having someone say "I'm wasting my time by going from an aluminium to a carbon bike frame" or "I won't feel the difference going from an old Shamano alivio to a new Shemano ultegra", would be along the lines of critical feedback. Since no one has said that, I assume it is somewhat worthwhile.

Or perhaps I was also expecting more specific guidence like "If you are struggling to climb just upgrade your cassette. Or do more hill training as the bike isn't the problem."

Honestly any guidence would be helpful.

Let's see a Pic of your bike...

[Chadvdw67]

50 minutes ago, Mark Ogden said:

I have very little knowledge about bikes and components, I can list them, but it's just words and numbers for me.

Having someone say "I'm wasting my time by going from an aluminium to a carbon bike frame" or "I won't feel the difference going from an old Shamano alivio to a new Shemano ultegra", would be along the lines of critical feedback. Since no one has said that, I assume it is somewhat worthwhile.

Or perhaps I was also expecting more specific guidence like "If you are struggling to climb just upgrade your cassette. Or do more hill training as the bike isn't the problem."

Honestly any guidence would be helpful.

I hear you, but I still maintain my statement, only you can decide really if it is worth it or not. But just some small things to think about.

 

I will put my dingaling on the block and say, you will not find a carbon Ultegra/Dura-ace equipped disc brake bike for R15k, I HIGHLY doubt you will find any carbon disc brake bike at that price, even with Tiagra groupset, unless maybe it is mechanical disc brakes.

 

Some more on the opinion front from me, dont limit to Ultegra/Dura-ace, I have a 10 Speed 105 setup on my bike, and it shifts really well, 105 groupsets are very good, and much cheaper to maintain, and it opens up a much broader range of bikes.

There are a few older carbon bikes with Ultegra/Dura-ace groupsets at your price range, but if they are still going to run good for a longtime is not a guarantee, and if they do need things like new cassettes or chainrings, you will be spending a lot more money to replace things than if it is 105.

 

 

[Eugene]

1 hour ago, Mark Ogden said:

Thanks for the feedback. 
These are exactly in the range that I'm looking for.

Don't.... Both are equipped with Campagnolo. As good as Campag is, their prices are insane. A simple cassette will cost an arm, a leg and a kidney. 

[ChrisF]

8 hours ago, Mark Ogden said:

.... eventually Argus/CTCT.

I currently ride a Merida 880.....

I'm 184 CM tall, so 56 - 58 is the range.
I do prefer a 58 above a 56.
....
 

 

I snipped a few bits from your post.

 

A few random thoughts ....

 

1. Merida is LARGER than Giant, for the same sticker size .... best make SURE of what size works best for you, and more specifically, what size in the BRAND that you want to buy.

 

2. I want to recommend you go for a proper bikefit, as this will confirm your optimal "reach" and "saddle height" dimensions, critical for selecting the correct size in your next bike.  Sadly, a first fit costs a pretty penny ... the cheaper follow ups and the repeat service makes it WELL WORTH IT though !!!  Irma at IrmFit is often recommended on this forum.  She solved an issue for me two weeks back which goes beyond "bikefit", but caused severe discomfort on the bike .....

 

3. Both Merida and Giant provides excellent value for money.

 

4. Distance .... what is your current longer ride distance ?  Doing 3 to 5 hour rides means your bike size and fit really needs to be as good as possible.

 

5. upgrade ..... if there is nothing wrong with your bike, keep it and keep saving up to buy just that little better .... hiehie .... but thats just me .... most of us (me included) have gone through the quick upgrade phase .... it is part of the journey.

 

 

ENJOY