Upgrade road bike or buy new?

Paul Hough

I swore after I bought a 2015 Argon 18 Gallium Pro (which I love) that I was done buying bikes.  However, I have an opportunity to upgrade my 2008 Trek Madone 10 speed (DA 7900) or buy a brand new 2016 BMC SLR01.  I can do either at half price.  Here are my alternatives:

Trek upgrade - remove all components and replace with 11 Speed Shimano Dura Ace 9100 mechanical groupset and replace wheels with Zipp NSW 303s.  Price $2738 plus tax.  I love my Trek, but it is the last year they had external cabling.  It also has Bonti RXXXL all carbon wheels...pretty much the first generation of carbon clinchers so the braking is crap, especially in the wet.  Zipp NSW would be top of the line. 

Buy new.  I can get the 2016 BMC world tour SLR01 with Ultegra Di2 in the Super Red paint job and DT Swiss R23 Spline wheels for $3050 plus tax.  Wow!  A brand new bike, electronic shifting which I've never had, but stock wheels. 

So old bike with top of the line components; or newer, stiffer, more compliant frameset with so-so wheels.  If I got the BMC I would sell my Trek and put that towards a pair of Zipp firecrest or NSW depending on what I got for the bike.   Thoughts?

 

Tom Box

The opportunity for electronic shifting and the fact that you can sell your Trek for new wheels swings it towards new in my book.

Dino Sarti

Sometimes in life we ask ourselves questions we already know the answer to.....

Tom Glynn

With all these new things out there I always wonder if it's really worth it. Could be bikes, cars, whatever. The problem is that once you use them, it's really hard to go back. Electronic shifting, internal cable routing, power in the pedals that are easy to swap out, more aero, better feel. Never try on a pair of $400 cycling shoes unless you are prepared to buy them

A couple of years ago I traded out a 10+-year-old aluminum Cervelo P3 for a new P5. It was an expensive, gut-wrenching decision because the P3 (with me pedaling) was super fast. In the end, happy I did it.

Jeff Kane

Agree with all! Go for it, I'm sure there might be a buyers remorse; but that is way better than regret!

Al Truscott

Electronic shifting is a luxury you deserve. it's especially helpful on all those hills you have in FL 

Clark Mitchell

Seems like a no-brainer. New!

Paul Hough

Posted By Al Truscott on 06 Jan 2017 01:33 PM

Electronic shifting is a luxury you deserve. it's especially helpful on all those hills you have in FL 

Like this one just north of Clermont, Florida (click link below)?

Jeff Kane

Sugarloaf Mtn is great! That new bike will make it way easier!!! The areas around Claremont are a hidden gem of hills. I had hoped when I joined, there would still be a camp there.

Al Truscott

The real deal...you *need* Di2", go get it.

[Deleted User]

Obviously in the minority, but I'd upgrade the Trek.  You love it, and I think external cabling is a plus, especially if you do your own wrenching.  I went through a similar decision earlier this year -- new Specialized Tarmac or Allez (had an awesome LBS that was going to make me a good deal) or upgrade my 2007 Cervelo RS to mechanical 11spd.  I decided I liked my Cervelo enough and didn't NEED a new bike.  Haven't regretted the decision one bit.  (Granted, it was a lot cheaper to upgrade the RS!)  

That said ... electronic shifting is glorious.  I have it on my Shiv and love it.  Maybe I need a new road bike after all ...

scott dinhofer

on the upgrade end, consider doing SRAM etap on the Trek, much easier install. You can also use the EN discount to get it cheaper at trisports if your dealer won't give you a good discount.
at this point in life, you deserve the best, you've certainly earned it and have the fitness to use it, even on those Floridian mountains!

Paul Hough

All, thanks for the input. I think Dino was reading my mind but I like to seek comfirmation before I act. However, I think I'll go out for a test ride before I make the decision to go new. @ Scott - if I'm upgrading the Trek it will be mechanical...no real need for electronic shifting on a road bike, but that was standard on the BMC. Anyway, it's a tough problem to have!

Dave Tallo

So this is a second road bike, in addition to at least one tri bike, that you would have in your stable? It's in addition to the argon?

It's nice to have pretty things, but I can't imagine any need for a second roadie. Why not just get rig of the trek, and use the argon as the go-to? Then, let your wheel sets, tires, gearing or other things be tailored to the terrain.l or conditions.

Simplify!

Gordon Cherwoniak

My first thought was more like Dave.  How much do you ride the bike?  I then looked at the price difference which is not really much and thought if you have no issues with electronic go new if you are going to spend the cash.  My only other thought is if you go to electronic shifting and you really like it you might have a few more bikes to upgrade in the near future. 

My perspective - I'm the guy with one tri bike and an older mountain bike so I don't have an extensive stable.  I keep thinking that one year I'll spring for a road bike but it's not happened yet, maybe by 2020. 

 

Paul Hough

@ Dave & Gordon - I have 2 road bikes and 2 tri bikes ... all get used regularly. One tri-bike is set up in a 1 x 10 drive train. It is my go to bike for flat course racing in Florida. The other tri bike is 2 x 10 compact crank and is my travel bike. The Argon 18 is set up with red shift seat post so it can do double duty...I actually raced in Oregon this year to check it out. If I go to IM Lanzarote in the future I'll probably use the Argon. The Trek is currently on the trainer but about to rotate with a tri-bike as I go into an IM block. It's never an issue to have a bike in the shop or one shipped out. However, 4 is enough; unless I decide to pop for a gravel bike...so far I've resisted that temptation.