Carbon Frame Upgrade from High End Alu Frame, Worth it?

I owned an Ebay business buying and selling used high road bikes.. I have ridden much of what is available, albeit versions of past years. High end carbon is fantastic, Colnago C50, Time VXR, Cervelo SL-SLC ... all the tits. But middle and lower grade carbon is pretty bland.

In your price range none of the carbon bikes would be superb. I would stick with what is working and get the wheels. Fit is the most important part of a bike and sounds like you are happy with that.

Handmade from a top notch builder is the way to go. I am not fond of carbon rims as I swap wheels and do not want to swap pads all the time. Ask around and search the net for the best wheelbuilder you can find.

I spent a few hundred quid on a proper training and nutrition plan and knocked over 20% off my time up the climb to my house without buying any new bike parts at all. So there's always that option

Another +1 for better wheels. I'm another Kinesis Aethein owner, and wouldn't swap alloy for carbon, not unless I'd a few grand for a frame.

As for long distance, I don't see the issue either - did a 150 mile fondo on my old alloy bike last year; a carbon seatpost took the sting out of the road.

You've a cracking bike, better wheels would make it amazing. Recommend handbuilts.

A good titanium frame and swop the kit over. #BikeForLife

Consider steel.

The carbon bikes I've had have been less rattley over the bumps and imperfections in the road surface. However, I don't currently have a carbon road bike, just a couple of decent alloy framed bikes. The alloy bikes seem a bit more direct which I prefer for racing.

You won't save a lot of weight on a cheap carbon frame over the decent alloy frame of your Canyon. I read in one of the magazines some comment about 1200g being light for the carbon frame on a £2k bike. All that money and they're no lighter than a good aloy frame!

There are plenty of ways to make a bike comfier than getting carbon - tyres, seatposts, bars, bar tape etc etc.

My first road bike was the 2014 ALUXX Giant Defy 1. Having the opportunity for good savings via the cycle to work scheme, I have since splashed out on the 2015 Giant Defy Advanced (composite) 1. The Aluxx now sports mudguards and has become my winter/wet bike.

The Aluxx Defy is recognised as one of the best Aluxx bikes on the market. The difference with the composite is however, like light and day. I'm delighted with the massively enhanced comfort and performance of the composite bike and count my blessing to be fortunate enough to have both.

Whether to upgrade wheels or change to a composite bike depends so much on your financial position, how much you ride and in what conditions. As has already been said, if in a position to enjoy the benefits of two bikes, then that has been and would be my choice again.

If of interest, my review of the composite Defy Advanced 1 in comparison with the Aluxx Defy 1 can be found here; http://reviewmybike.com/bike/GIANT/giant-defy-advanced-1/13673

I'd echo what some other posters have said about quality wheels & tubular tyres. Perhaps some carbon bars or post too.

You've already got a decent quality light bike so a change in frame material is unlikely to improve it much, unless you spend silly £££

Get 27.2mm diametre Carbon seatpost from Taiwan and some Carbon Handlebars.

Comfortwise solved, especially with 25mm wide high TPI tyres.

I've got a Kinesis Aithein with a carbon seat post. I prefer it over my campy equipped Italian carbon demon...

I have the Ultimate AL and it is BETTER than just about any carbon bike I have ridden (that's not a lot, but some of them were good).

Get better wheels - how about 1300g handbuilts - and a top end groupset of your choice, and laugh all the way to the bank!

Carbon handlebars will make a difference too, comfortwise.

I can't see the point of upgrading your (already very nice) bike.

I have three drop handle barred bikes - a summer bike, winter bike and a cyclocross. If the canyon is your only road bike then I'd buy a dedicated wet weather bike that takes full guards.

I've got both aluminium and carbon frames and they're both great bikes. I guess it depends on what you plan on doing the most. If you have alpine climbs in mind, then a carbon frame would be the way to go, but if most of your riding is done on the flat then aluminium will work just fine.

Wheels, and also some really high quality tyres (320TPI). I would recommend getting some tubs - they will be lighter, ride nicer, and enhance your whole riding experience. High quality tubs are a joy to ride.

i've recently bought a Canyon Ultimate AL SLX (Ultegra 11 speed) and its an incredible bike (light, comfortable, confident). If I had to choose a bike for a long weekend ride with the club between that and my Scott CR1 Pro, i'd choose the Canyon...so stick with the AL, and invest in wheels and see how you get on

Go to your LBS and do a test ride, or convince a mate to borrow his bike for a longer ride. Then decide for yourself. Carbon will be comfier but you only get the weight savings as you approach the £2k mark (but you get lower end kit and stock wheels can sometimes be terrible).

No one has mentioned a power meter, wheels are good but if you want to take training to another level get a PM.

Law of diminishing returns applies really. You've already got a good bike, to get a much better bike you'd have to spend much more money, more than your budget I'd suggest.

Whereas to get much better wheels, not so much money. Simples.

Lots of carbon wheel options in your budget though!

I've ridden a lot of Carbon bikes, Giant TCR, Supersix, Planet X Pro Carbon, Trek Madone. My wife just bought the Ultimate AL, and it is a staggeringly good bike. I would keep it and upgrade the wheels and get a carbon seat post and saddle with carbon rails. Its a fantastic ride. Soft riding, but when you stomp on the pedals it shifts! Keep the Canyon.

I've got a kinesis alloy bike, and often get comments from clubmates complaining of the flex in their carbon frames. Don't waste your money mate, get some decent wheels instead.

What the heck happened to n+1?

Seriously, I have both AL and CF bikes, and I wouldn't take the AL bike on longer rides. The reason is simple, CF takes a lot of road buzz making my ride a lot more comfier. And I didn't stop with the frame. Every upgrade I did install CF parts whenever I could, wheels, saddle, seatpost, and handlebars. It costed, but I don't regret even a bit.

But hey, don't take my word for it. Just go to your LBS and look for a test ride to see it for yourself.

Keep the aluminium frame and spend the money on a trip to warmer climes for you and your bike.

no.
Spend the cash on some nice new clothing or wheels+tyres. this will have more an impact on your enjoyment than anything else.

Gone back to racing on alloy, ive got a kinesis aithein and a bmc rm.. both with the same kit & geometry (with ultegra 6800) the bmc is lovely, but I actually prefer the alloy, it feels better, and if i trash it its not going to cost the earth. if you're happy with what you have then stick with it. let's face it carbon isn't really going to make that much of a difference, as to say loosing 5kgs of body weight

on the other hand if your existing bike is trashed....

Are you really unhappy with the bike you have?
Yes= Carbon
No= wheels

Simples!

Wheels are the most important upgrade you can make to your bike, no question, especially if you have a top quality frame which fits you, which you do. You will notice the difference way more than anything else.

i'd blow some wedge on a set of shiny wheels, myself. and maybe one of those nice VCLS 'posts that Canyon do