You’ve been putting in the kilometres. You know every turn of the Mandai Loop, you’ve powered along the flats of Changi Coast Road, and you consistently hit the Park Connector Network (PCN) for your weekend rides. But you’ve started to feel a ceiling. Your trusty aluminium bike, the one that got you into this wonderful sport, feels like it’s holding you back.
The allure of a sleek, lightweight carbon frame is strong. You see them gliding effortlessly up climbs and cutting through the wind. But then you see the price tag, and the inevitable question arises: is spending thousands of dollars on a carbon bike a smart financial decision, or just an expensive indulgence?
This article tackles that S$5,000 question head-on. We'll break down the real-world costs and tangible benefits of upgrading, using a personal case study of moving from a Giant Contend SL2 to a Giant TCR Advanced Pro 1, to help you decide if it's a worthwhile investment for your passion.
