Upgrade bike, build one up slowly, buy a new one ?

s1mon

Hi,

Got into road riding a few months back (not that long I know) but I've got the bug for it already (even got the gf out riding together) and would like a more racier bike. Got myself a SCR carbon which is very nice but just fancy a more race orientated bike, maybe should of gone for the TCR. So do upgrade mine a bit to get it more racier eg, wheels etc (already changed tyres to some GP4000s), keep it as is and buy a frame and build one to how I like or bite the bullet and get a new bike ?

Simon.

Rich-Ti

I wanted to build a really nice road bike so I went for a second hand frame. I planned to do the same with the wheels but ended up going new as I got a good price on the wheels I really wanted rather than getting something second hand just because they were on offer.

Wheels and frame are the most important bits - it certainly wouldn't hurt to slowly upgrade your bike as it's not a bad base to start from, then replace the frame when you can.

On the other hand building a project bike slowly but surely is a great experience... except that I always get impatient and it takes me only a matter of weeks end to end! :roll: :oops:

s1mon

On the other hand building a project bike slowly but surely is a great experience... except that I always get impatient and it takes me only a matter of weeks end to end!

Thats what i'm worried about, I am like that. I will order a frame and the rest will be ordered before the frame arrives ! I will then spend every spare minute working on it

maddog 2

why do you want a racier bike?

what do you actually mean?

mr-ed

If you want a bike to race on theres a few things you should think about. Recently I was caught up in a crash during a race and although I came off with only a few cuts and bruseing (some people broke collar bones!) the bike was screwed. Lucky IMO i was riding my training bike due to a problem with my good bike. I'd never though of the damage that might happen if i was in a crashed the only things surving being the groupset, seat post and seat. I'm currently having the frame checked over to see if its alined and still okay to use. My thought was if I'd have been riding the other bike it could have been over 2k worth of damage, which I defiantly can't afford to replace! If you want a bike to race on get something which is fast but you can also afford to maintain. If you want a really nice bike for riding on sunny days thats a bit different!

justyn_c_uk

It really comes down to your budget for the second bike and your bank account. If you have the cash and can afford to spend it then go and get what you like. I am not in that position so it has taken me two years to collect all the parts for my Pedalforce, either via ebay or during the sales. But I am happier spending in small lumps that don't hit the household budget too hard.

Personally keep what you have, maybe get your wheels sorted first, and enjoy those, and then start collecting the rest of the parts over time, leaving the frame & forks until last so they are hanging around looking longingly at you.