Hi everyone, I am looking to upgrade from my 2016 entry level heavy carbon frame Felt ZW4 disc with 105. 40F, bike will be mostly used for group rides with local cycling club rides with a lot of climbing, so weight is important. I also have Long Covid, which impairs my ability to do intensity in training (climb), so having easy gears (at least 11-34 or even better 10-36) is also important. I never rode a race bike, but I find my Felt too upright and would likely want something in between.
I have currently narrowed down my choice to [Cube Agree C:62 Race](https://www.cube.eu/de-de/cube-agree-c-62-race-carbon-n-black/d3c24ded01f0b52c27caca216a293153) with Ultegra Di2 11-34 cassette at 8,3kg for 3600 EUR, which I tried yesterday and it felt really good, much more aggressive than my Felt – if Felt was a shabby family car in comparison to the sports car feeling of Cube Agree C:62 Race 😀
I am also considering basically the same frame rebranded as women’s specific [Cube Axial WS C:62 SLX](https://www.cube.eu/de-de/cube-axial-ws-c-62-slx-team-ws/2a9b4a772237828d7453351421f96418) with alloy women specific handlebars (vs carbon handlers at Agree Race) and cranks, coming with Sram Rival AXS with 10-36 cassette, 8,5kg and at 3400 EUR. The advantage here would be easier gears and allow handlebar to mount clip on aerobars for triathlon (I am looking into my first middle-distance this summer).
Cube Agree/Axial ws slx is marketed as endurance, but pretty aggressive for that category.
I am also considering:
[FASCENARIO.3 COMP DISC ULTEGRA 2X11](https://www.storck-bikes.com/de/road/allround/fascenario-3-disc/fascenario-3-comp-disc/fascenario-3-comp-disc-ultegra-2×11) with mech Ultegra 2×11 at 7,6kg and 2650 EUR. They can mount 11-34 cassette at no extra cost.
[FASCENARIO.3 COMP DISC FORCE AXS 2X12](https://www.storck-bikes.com/de/road/allround/fascenario-3-disc/fascenario-3-comp-disc/fascenario-3-comp-disc-force-axs-2×12) with AXS Force 2×12 at 7,4kg and 3700 EUR. They can mount 10-36 cassette at no extra cost.
[AERNARIO.3 COMP DISC 105 2X12](https://www.storck-bikes.com/de/road/allround/aernario-3-disc/aernario-3-comp-disc/aernario-3-comp-disc-105-2×12) with mechanical 105 2×12, 11-34 cassette and at 7,9kg and 3200 EUR.
Obviously, these discounted Storck Fascenario models seem like a great deal, and I would probably be leaning towards the one with Force AXS bc of bigger cassette, while still remaining very light.
Storck Fascenario and Aernario are both marketed as All Rounders and have quite aggressive geometries. Their geometries are basically the same, with a difference that Aernario is a newer frame with more aero gains and integrated cables, while Fascinario looks a bit dated and has no integrated cables (I think the frame design is from 2017-18). Both have better wheelset than Cube and carbon cockpit.
Realistically speaking, I don’t mind a frame looking a bit older, as long as it performs well and comes with much better parts in comparison to their newer counterparts Storck Aernario and Cube Agree/Axial.
Is there something I should beware when it comes to buying older vs newer frame designs?
What is your experience with Storck and Fascenario and Aernario?
What do you think is a best buy for me here?
I will also try Storck bikes. I fully understand the importance of bike fitter, but at this point I see paying 200-300 Eur as too much. I will buy the bike over JobRad leasing.
Cube Agree C:62 Race pics from test ride
by MacaroonPlane3826