Hello everyone! First of all, I’m from Paraguay, middle of South America. New road bikes are way too expensive and our economy isn’t great, so I would start by saying my budget right now is about $1600-1700.
I have this [2014 Argon 18 Krypton](https://imgur.com/a/l2gd4df), size Small, bought it about 3 years ago, and honestly I never had issues with it up until last year, when my 5700 right shifter started to give up, usually I just flooded it with WD-40 and it used to work again fine, but one day it just stop clicking entirely. So I did something that shimano doesn’t want the user to do and disassembled the STI shifter lol; sure didn’t work like new again, but at least worked, up until 2 weeks ago and I had to do it all over again. The thing is that I’m a really salty sweater, and my shifter is quite rusty from all the corrosion. The bike works now, barely. I use my road bike mainly for training, as I don’t race a lot on road, my main discipline is XC MTB, but I love riding on the road and surely spend way more time on my road bike. So here begin my questions.
I’m 1.63m (5’4″) and this bike is “S” (apparently 52-53), and it really wasn’t an issue when I used to ride like 6 hours/week 2 years ago, but it kinda is now that I’m usually riding 10-12, sometimes 15, and hopefully more. I feel my arms are quite extended on the hoods, and if I’m doing intervals I’m almost always sitting on the tip of my saddle, like when on a TT bike. Mind you the bike has a 60mm stem and my saddle is extremely forward. So yeah, I think the bike is a tad big and given it has issues with shifting, If upgrading to 11spd and nicer wheels isn’t a good option, I am considering selling it and buying [one of these bikes.](https://imgur.com/a/lhtqApc) Before selling I’d like to make sure it works, so either get an used 5700 shifter or one of those Sensah 10spd shifters.
I know these are “womens'” bikes, but they’re both 51cm and both are 11 speed, so they would be a more comfortable fit. What concerns me is if they would accept 28mm tires (I read a lot online and the consensus seems they’ll fit), and also that they’re both rim brake bikes, given that almost every new bike comes with disc brakes. The only reason I’d give these bikes a shot is because they’re in my budget.
The cheapest disc option I have is [this bike](https://imgur.com/a/idMwm0T). Official bike specs are [here](https://www.uaecycle.com/products/pardus-spark-105-disc-brake?variant=37209929908381). It’s a chinese brand, but the price is $2500 and it’s kind of out of budget, unless I wait a couple months more. Roads around don’t have mountains and hills usually aren’t that steep, I rarely use brakes on my road bike; but I still think disc will be better and future proof. Dealer also offered me a mech version with some cheaper parts, but still R7000, at $2100.
So yeah, should I keep my bike and upgrade it (nicer wheels, 105 r7000, yadda yadda)? sell it as is (would sell with a sensah shifter to make it functional at least lol) and buy one of those bikes? or just wait for the imminent disc bike?
by martynssimpson
2 Comments
Yeah, bikes is too big. Im 5’5, and ride a 49 with a 80 or 90mm stem.
Get the Amira.