A little about my journey: I was originally into distance-running. I took up cycling for cross-training, and to maybe do a triathlon here and there. Little by little, I got more and more into cycling.
For the last couple years, my ride has been a [2006 Trek](https://99spokes.com/bikes/trek/2006/1000-wsd) 1000 [(pic)](https://imgur.com/a/FdlIYzj). It’s got an aluminum frame, carbon fork, Tiagra components. Solid bike! It has served me well. (I’m a guy, and technically it’s a women’s bike, but that hasn’t been an issue at all)
I believe my current setup comes in at like 21 lbs (9.5 kg).
I rode solo a lot, and then started to get into group rides. Over time I built up the kit: clipless shoes, gloves, bibs, jersey, glasses, etc.
I also upgraded my bike: on the rear cassette, I adjusted the smallest gear – from 12 teeth to 11, I believe. I went to GP5000 tires and latex tubes. I got the bike fit, too. All that, and my training, has made me pretty fast.
Overall, I like to ride fast, sometimes ride long (have done one century), and have capability for climbing.
On the group ride I often do, we cruise at like 17-20 mph, and speed bursts and descents can get faster than that. Here is a [recent spicy group ride I did](https://www.strava.com/activities/10865801613). We were hitting like 28 at the end!
In general in life, I like to buy used, and get good value that way. When someone suggested I buy an older super bike, I thought that sounded just great! But despite riding for a couple years, I’m still kind of a road bike newbie.
Here are my considerations:
**frame:** would like to try carbon, both for weight savings and for the supposed better ride and efficient power transfer
**groupset:** would be cool to try electronic shifting; my buddy said it’s a game-changer. also fine with mechanical
**brakes:** ideally I’d get hydraulic disc brakes, but I’m fine with good rim brakes as well.
**geometry:** I recently got a bike fit, and I was put into a more aggressive posture. I’m fine down in the drops or bent over the hoods. The fitter set me up with a 5 cm drop from saddle to handlebars.
**budget:** originally was thinking $1k, which sounded like a lot at the time. Now, learning more, and researching, I’m willing to push that. YOLO, right? haha
I’ve been browsing Craigslist and facebook marketplace. One issue: there aren’t a ton of bikes in my size. I’m on a 51 now. The fitter said a 52 would probably be ideal. I am 5’6 with like a 28 in inseam.
Here are some of the bikes I have bookmarked. Some of them I have posted here. I am thinking: since my current bike is totally fine and pretty fast, I should wait to upgrade until I can really get something that’s a large improvement.
[Look 695 Full Carbon 51cm (S) with New Sram Red Etap 2×11 Speed – $2,800 (Irvine)](https://losangeles.craigslist.org/lgb/bik/d/irvine-look-695-full-carbon-51cm-with/7723006450.html)
[Specialized S-WORKS VENGE Road Bike with Dura ace 7900 Group set 51cm – $1,700 (Tustin)](https://losangeles.craigslist.org/lgb/bik/d/tustin-specialized-works-venge-road/7721297505.html)
[Trek Madone 5.2 Mint Ultegra Components Krysium Whls – $1,499 (Los Angeles)](https://losangeles.craigslist.org/lac/bik/d/los-angeles-trek-madone-52-mint-ultegra/7726307637.html)
Right now I’m just a little confused. Should I try to get something for like $750 with rim brakes and like, a 105 groupset? Would that really be a major upgrade from my current setup?
I could shoot for $1250… maybe get disc brakes.
If I push to $1500 or more… could I get everything I want?
I’m kind of familiar with Trek’s offerings: Domane, Emonda, Madone. But I’m less familiar with Giant/Specialized/Fuji, and even less with other brands like LOOK, Canyon. etc
Honestly, that S-Works Venge looks pretty dope. I think it’s the deep wheels that make a bike look “fast.”
Does anyone have advice/reccs to share? I’m not in a hurry to buy, but I am down to upgrade at some point soon. I think what I need to do is just ride as many of these bikes as possible, until one just “feels right.” Does that sound reasonable?
by sozh
2 Comments
Lol are you me? I have a very similar problem, down to the size of bike I’m looking for. There are a couple options that I think you haven’t explored yet, and while I’m not going to talk you out of new bike day, I think you may want to consider the following upgrades to your current bike:
* It looks like you have 2006 Tiagra on your bike? If you do, consider an upgrade to new Tiagra. An older super bike in your price range is likely going to be 10-speed Dura-Ace, and new Tiagra will get you most of the way there.
* An 11-speed wheelset in addition would let you upgrade your group probably all the way up to 2 generations back Ultegra or last generation 105.
The biggest things I’d want out of an upgraded frame would be tire clearance and disc brakes…and none of the options you’ve found so far have that. In addition, with new prices coming down I’m not sure any of those are attractive to me – as a comparison, this is $2k: https://www.giant-bicycles.com/us/tcr-advanced-disc-2-pro-compact-2022
I don’t like buying old super bikes. You can run into maintenance issues and replacing like for like gets expensive fast. If you are familiar with cars would you buy a luxury or sport car with 120k on the odometer? Bikes don’t have odometers.
This is the first time in years where the new market has been providing better value than used. If you decide to go around or above 1.5k give new a fair shake. As an example you can buy an [11 speed CF rim brake bike for 1800](https://www.giant-bicycles.com/us/tcr-advanced-2-pro-compact-2022) and a completely modern disc CF bike for just [under 2k](https://www.giant-bicycles.com/us/tcr-advanced-disc-2-pro-compact-2022). Other retailers are having similar sales.
What I would prioritize in used bikes.
* Compact crankset, around 2010 the industry moved from standard 52/39 to 50/34. Trades a little top end speed for much better climbing.
* 11 speed anything with 10 speed or lower is 10+ years old at this point.
* Rim brake if you want value, probably would skip any mechanical disc, if you find hydraulic cool
* Aluminum if you want value, though some some used carbon should be in the upper range.
* No electronic shifting if you want good value. It only just trickled to mid range group sets.
* Compare to new and use that as a negotiation tool
Look is not a value brand. You pay a premium for their in house CF layup. At that price point I think you can do better new.
S-works, 10 speed. Looks quite clean and well maintained. It should be several hundred cheaper given where the new market is.
The Trek is not a super bike. The pics are not good. From what I can see it looks like almost no maintenance has been done. Could not bother to clean the bike up to sell it. Easy to ignore.