New road bike time - full stable refresh?

My carbon roadie suffered a critical failure last week, breaking at the chainstay near the BB. Warranty claim is in but has been denied - I was offered a replacement frame for $800 plus mechanics cost to swap the running gear.

So now I am looking at the changes to bikes generally, and wondering if I should take this as an opportunity to radically update my bikes.

Right now I have a broke rim brake, Ultegra 6800 equipped roadie, and a disc brake/QR, 105-5700 equipped Alu CX bike.

My riding consists primarily of a 20km commute from Bundoora to Melbourne CBD, with some semi-frequent group rides.
I have previously raced CX and would look to do that again.
I have some bikepacking gear and want to get out on more trips.
I am interested in getting out on some Audax rides, both tarmac and mixed terrain.

I am thinking that I could look at going for through axles and disc brakes across the board, and going for a carbon roadie, an “all road/adventure/etc” bike (something that would be able to take 45mm+ tyres, but would also be good for fire trails etc) and, potentially, a dedicated carbon CX race bike.

I freely admit that I am a victim of marketing, but if it gets me out riding, I’m not going to complain.

So, current thoughts:
Bike 1 - Carbon roadie
Lightweight or aero, not sure.
Room for 28mm tyres at least.

Bike 2 - CX race machine
Carbon, possibly 1x?
Aggressive geo

Bike 3 - All rounder/monstercross/bikepacking
Flared bars
Fork bosses for cages
Possibly cage mount under the downtube
Room for 45mm+ tyres, maybe 50mm?

Does this seem reasonable, or should I cull something in there? Maybe compromise on the road and CX bikes given that I am unlikely to be a top-tier racer, and go for something that will fill both roles? (Yes, I am a chronic over-thinker/procrastinator, how can you tell?)

I am currently using a carbon CX bike with hydro discs and thru axles for CX racing, gravel (rail trail, dirt roads), single track (albeit slowly), road (long weekend rides) and fast group & crit racing.

Its a little slower in the fast group/crit scenario than a dedicated road bike simply due to aero, but i have 1 bike that does most stuff quite well with 3 sets of wheels (really only need 2 though), i can see myself wanting an aero road bike in the next 12 months if i get a bit more serious with crits, but even then id get something i can use with the current disc thru axle road wheels

I am currently using a carbon CX bike with hydro discs and thru axles for CX racing, gravel (rail trail, dirt roads), single track (albeit slowly), road (long weekend rides) and fast group & crit racing.

Its a little slower in the fast group/crit scenario than a dedicated road bike simply due to aero, but i have 1 bike that does most stuff quite well with 3 sets of wheels (really only need 2 though). I can see myself wanting an aero road bike in the next 12 months if i get a bit more serious with crits, but even then id get something i can use with the current disc thru axle road wheels

It also cant really do bikepacking well simply due to lack of bosses, but with the right bags it might work. I have a set of 650bx47c wheels/tyres which would be fine for bikepacking duties though IMO. Something like a Giant TCX will apparently fit 650bx2" as well if you wanted bigger.

I’d go alloy as a dedicated cx bike, it’s cheaper and lighter than carbon in a disc frame as carbon needs serious beefing up to handle disc brakes.
But then again if money is no object go carbon but either way you are up for some serious coin for three new bikes.

If you don’t get the Giant TCR with ultegra you’ve dogged yourself.

This is the right answer

Hah! I remember when I started with road bikes a few years back, and Giant were maligned as mass-market bikes, good for your first roadie until you are ready to commit.

Yeh I remember that too. But you will not find a better bike in terms of value for money/bang for buck. Anyone who disagrees is flat out wrong.

Not sure if you are being facetious, but I agree wholly with this statement.
If you are concerned about the word “Giant” on your bike and would rather pay 20% more for the same thing with different words, then go for it.

not taking the piss at all. I would love to buy a time but i know when i bin it swanning down brunswick st I’m gonna be pissed. Giant have cracked the perfect geo, paint, and price point.

in the last month, i have recommended Giant bicycles to 3 different people, for 3 totally different cycling pursuits.

I’m buying a new roadie and been weighing up the options of different bikes. I currently ride (not much) a Giant and a new Giant keeps on coming out on top.

Is this the model you speak of? “TCR Advanced Pro 0 Disc. $5,999”

nah the one with normal proper brakes, I’m not a savage. think it retails for 4k.

edit: TCR Advanced Pro 1 (2019) | Race bike | Giant Bicycles Australia

I’m not too precious about brand name/image - hell, I was riding a Merida :stuck_out_tongue:
People can find something negative to say about any brand. Giant/Trek/Cannondale/Specialised - “Fred bike, good to ride until you buy a real bike” etc, Cervelo/Look/Time - “more dollars than sense, spending more doesn’t make you faster”

I have that Giant TCR with Ultegra, the 2016/2017 model it is I think. Love it, best bike I ever ridden and would but it again and again. And funnily enough I do (and still do) get a lot of compliments when out riding it. Its just looking good, riding good and has never had a single issue (I have my bikes rebuilt shortly after I buy them new). Love it!

Also have a Giant TCX Alu, but only since about 4 months, loving it so far as well.

oh yeh should mention i own that bike. v razzy.

I’ve had one of these since 2011.
It is rock solid and still going strong. Never had it serviced even once! (and I can’t do shit to my bikes in that regard).

Part of my ideal scenario would be having one gear standard/axle standard/etc between bikes.

This simplifies things in terms of the number of spare parts I would hold, so if it’s all 11 speed Shimano, then I can have a couple of spare cassettes, and possibly a spare derailleur etc.

Likewise with wheelsets, being able to, to some extent, share these between bikes would be awesome.