Post by malcolm4000 on Mar 4, 2014 13:28:24 GMT
Full disclosure up front, I have been a very happy Red T3 owner for about 2 years, and plan to continue being one on my daily commute into London, however, after some hard saving up I'm in the market for and need/want something a little more refined, and although I don't want to spend silly money money, I reckon I've got about £1400 to spend.
After a lot of confused looking (and I consider that I know *some* stuff, if not anywhere enough...) I think Planet X are high on my list. The Pro Carbon sounds good, but I think that the full 6800 Ultegra of the RT-57 might also just going to shade it for me. Can I crave your patience to see if anyone can answer some questions I have about the whole process...?
1) I'll be doing the odd sportive, and 70-80m ride, as well as a cycle from Kent to Belgium in July (last yr the T3 took me in great comfort from Kent to Paris!) so is the RT-57 worth the extra £200 over the Pro Carbon to get the full groupset? I'm not sure about the brakes on the Pro Carbon?
2) If I get either should I upgrade the wheels to the RS81's, they are a bit more with the Pro Carbon, but seem like a good deal on the RT57. (only £205 with RT57, and £350 with Pro Carbon, I think) I have a pair of RS501s in the garage I could use...
3) My other main worry is that with my current 11-28 cassette fitted I can climb pretty much anything (in fact, I did a 2000m day the other day with no walking at all, I don't think I've ever walked up anything) - although on the steeper ones I was in the granny ring, but not the lowest gear...will I suit a compact cassette rather than the T3's triple, do you think? (i've not ridden a compact) My maths isn't great, so I always struggle with gearings...with the RT57, I can only get a 11-23 or 11-25 cassette, so I think the 25 is the best option...
4) What are the length of the stock cranks? and the bar widths on the Triban please? I'd like to order the right size, on the subject of which - I'm riding a 60cm T3 and reckon a LARGE Planet X frame would suit me, anyone with both have any experience of this sizing?
Many more question might arise, but the main one is - is it worth the step up from the Pro Carbon, or should I just stick with it and avoid the extra expense? Thanks for you patience and advice, and don't fret I won't be discarding the T3 for a long time, its served me so well, and will keep doing so, I hope...
J
PS: the other thing I considered was trying to get a 2013 model bike on offer, but my local bike shop is the Orpington branch of Cycles UK and the fella in there is terrifically rude and really, really insulted the T3 (and effectively me!) whilst trying to sell me a £2k Bianchi (nice bikes, but I don't really want to give him my money - I think he has been mentioned on here before) Therefore trying to find bargains is like trying to find a needle in a haystack, and this seems like an easier route....
After a lot of confused looking (and I consider that I know *some* stuff, if not anywhere enough...) I think Planet X are high on my list. The Pro Carbon sounds good, but I think that the full 6800 Ultegra of the RT-57 might also just going to shade it for me. Can I crave your patience to see if anyone can answer some questions I have about the whole process...?
1) I'll be doing the odd sportive, and 70-80m ride, as well as a cycle from Kent to Belgium in July (last yr the T3 took me in great comfort from Kent to Paris!) so is the RT-57 worth the extra £200 over the Pro Carbon to get the full groupset? I'm not sure about the brakes on the Pro Carbon?
2) If I get either should I upgrade the wheels to the RS81's, they are a bit more with the Pro Carbon, but seem like a good deal on the RT57. (only £205 with RT57, and £350 with Pro Carbon, I think) I have a pair of RS501s in the garage I could use...
3) My other main worry is that with my current 11-28 cassette fitted I can climb pretty much anything (in fact, I did a 2000m day the other day with no walking at all, I don't think I've ever walked up anything) - although on the steeper ones I was in the granny ring, but not the lowest gear...will I suit a compact cassette rather than the T3's triple, do you think? (i've not ridden a compact) My maths isn't great, so I always struggle with gearings...with the RT57, I can only get a 11-23 or 11-25 cassette, so I think the 25 is the best option...
4) What are the length of the stock cranks? and the bar widths on the Triban please? I'd like to order the right size, on the subject of which - I'm riding a 60cm T3 and reckon a LARGE Planet X frame would suit me, anyone with both have any experience of this sizing?
Many more question might arise, but the main one is - is it worth the step up from the Pro Carbon, or should I just stick with it and avoid the extra expense? Thanks for you patience and advice, and don't fret I won't be discarding the T3 for a long time, its served me so well, and will keep doing so, I hope...
J
PS: the other thing I considered was trying to get a 2013 model bike on offer, but my local bike shop is the Orpington branch of Cycles UK and the fella in there is terrifically rude and really, really insulted the T3 (and effectively me!) whilst trying to sell me a £2k Bianchi (nice bikes, but I don't really want to give him my money - I think he has been mentioned on here before) Therefore trying to find bargains is like trying to find a needle in a haystack, and this seems like an easier route....