Subject: RE: Bike upgrade help Please! ranger5oh - 2008-02-20 10:15 AM
Carbon wheels really shouldnt make your ride softer. In fact, I would suggest that if they do, the wheels arent stiff enough. Carbon may soak up some vibrations... but its not going to make a huge difference in comfort.
If they will fit, you could run 700x25 or 700x28 tires. Adding some sidewall will absorb a lot of the bumps, without as much of a reduction in tire pressure. Otherwise, the free option is to reduce the pressure in the tires you have now... but you will be slightly slower... unless the comfort gained helps increase your speed over the long haul.
I think for $1000 you are going to be hard pressed to find a carbon frame. I do think that it would make some difference in comfort though. You might be able to sell your frame, and use the $1000 you have and buy a new carbon P2C ??? It just might mean going without a bike for a week or so.
x2, with a twist. Depending on the age and condition of your P2SL, you could probably by the new P2C for $2500 and sell your P2SL for somewhere in the $1200 to $1500 range. That would get you to your price target. You and I are not the only ones thinking this way, so now there is a shortage of the new P2C developing.
Last night was my first ride on a carbon bike, and my initial reaction was that there was a huge difference in ride quality.
Another less expensive option is to lower the tire pressure and get the right saddle. My new saddle is killer and needs to be changed, it definitely makes for an uncomfortable ride. |