Spend to upgrade or buy new bike

rando
rando Posts: 285
edited August 2013 in Road buying advice
My current bike is a Trek Pilot 2.0 and is as standard . It is nearly 3 years old now and just deciding whether to upgrade the groupset to Tiagra 4600 10 speed compact (currently have 9 speed and a triple) and some new wheels.
Looking at Merlin cycles for prices - tiagra 4600 groupset £280 and Fulcrum 5 wheels £155. Add to this the cost of actually fitting the new bits LBS said about £70. So rough total is £500.
Against that then I could get a Defy 1 2012 in the sale at £800 from LBS or say a Canyon Roadlite AL £900 but this is full 105 with mavic Askium wheels so better spec than my upgrade list.
Is it worth spending the money on my Trek or try and sell it and buy a new one? Which ever I do it will only be my winter / 2nd bike as I am going to treat myself to a new best bike.

Comments

  • diamonddog
    diamonddog Posts: 3,426
    If it's only your winter bike leave it as it is, save your money and put it towards a new best bike. :)
  • rando
    rando Posts: 285
    True could just leave it but as I was out riding this morning in the pouring rain I thought of all the crap weather we have to face ove the next 6 months and spending 2-3k on a best bike that I would not want to use on days like today would seem a waste. Therefore I thought split the money a bit to get a cheaper best bike and either another winter bike or upgrade mine. This way I still have a 'better' winter bike that didn't matter about getting soaked and a decent best bike.
  • chaymck
    chaymck Posts: 157
    500 quid for what is only marginal upgrade is not worth doing. The logical thing is to do as d-dog suggests.
  • rando
    rando Posts: 285
    So only replace bits on winter bike as they wear out and then like for like if possible to keep it cheap?
  • diamonddog
    diamonddog Posts: 3,426
    rando wrote:
    So only replace bits on winter bike as they wear out and then like for like if possible to keep it cheap?
    Basically yes, then you have more for your new bike. :)
  • rando
    rando Posts: 285
    So 2.5 k available then.
    http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/vitu ... -prod81021
    Just the geometry seems rather extreme at the HT length (as in low).
  • diamonddog
    diamonddog Posts: 3,426
    Well equipped bike, top end gear train, good wheels, I think Vitus do some Sean Kelly bikes as well, if you can you need to sit on them and ride them which is not always possible I know.
    If you are happy to go mail order look at other brands like Dolan, Planet X & Ribble in UK, Canyon and Rose in Germany etc the last two will be releasing new models soon so could be some bargains to be had.

    Edit: I can't see anywhere that gives the geometry on the CR site but you are talking about the head tube being low which I think you will find is the same for all 'road race' bikes, a 'sportive' bike should be slightly longer in the head tube area for a more relaxed position.
  • rando
    rando Posts: 285
    diamonddog wrote:
    Well equipped bike, top end gear train, good wheels, I think Vitus do some Sean Kelly bikes as well, if you can you need to sit on them and ride them which is not always possible I know.
    If you are happy to go mail order look at other brands like Dolan, Planet X & Ribble in UK, Canyon and Rose in Germany etc the last two will be releasing new models soon so could be some bargains to be had.
    Edit: I can't see anywhere that gives the geometry on the CR site?
    No I could only find geometry here
    http://www.vitusbikes.com/road-bikes-20 ... 3#geometry
  • diamonddog
    diamonddog Posts: 3,426
    See edit above.
  • diamonddog
    diamonddog Posts: 3,426
    Looks fairly 'standard' geometry IMO.
  • rando
    rando Posts: 285
    diamonddog wrote:
    See edit above.
    Yes. Cheers.