Upgrade or buy a new bike

cskasofia

Bought a Merida road bike in 2011, list price £750.
So far I've renewed all the usual components due to wear and tear, brake pads, tyres, chainset and cassette.
Not sure how long I've got left with the original wheels.
Were I to replace these with a pair of Mavic Cosmic Carbone SLS , costing £330, would this bike be "better" than a brand new £1k road bike?

dj58

Can you post a link to the model of bike you have?

Sirius631

[url=http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=19678354#p19678354]cskasofia[/url] wrote:

Bought a Merida road bike in 2011, list price £750.
So far I've renewed all the usual components due to wear and tear, brake pads, tyres, chainset and cassette.
Not sure how long I've got left with the original wheels.
Were I to replace these with a pair of Mavic Cosmic Carbone SLS , costing £330, would this bike be "better" than a brand new £1k road bike?

Mavic Cosmic Carbone SLS are too good to put on a bike of £750 list price. I would double check that price for a pair of SLS, as the site I found with £330 was the price for the front wheel only. Usual price for pair seems to be around £660.

A chainset is not usually a component you replace after four years. Replacement chainrings should be available.

I'd go for the new £1000 bike. That way you'll be able to have one for poor weather rides, and you'll have a better starting point for future upgrades. Either that or sell the first machine and equip new machine to cope with all conditions.

simon_masterson

A good bike has a good frame, good parts and good wheels. Make your decisions accordingly. Personally I'd be inclined to buy a good frame and build it up; wheels may be transferable, but you won't make more of your bike than what it fundamentally is.