Road Cycling - New road bike vs my Trek 520

For the last two years I have been riding a 520, which I bought because of my weight (240 at the time, 6'2"). I had it professionally fitted with a "Fit Kit" and it had been a wonderful bike (comfortable and stable). I have made a promise to myself to get in good shape within the next year (before my 60th birthday). Currently, I'm at 210 and hope to get to about 180. Now here's the question. Every time I talk to someone at a bike shop, they say "Trek 520 Yikes HEAVY!!!!". There is one side of me that wants to believe them when they suggest a lighter road bike, but I also realize that they are there to sell bikes. Of course it's always nice to lust after a new bike. Since I won't be racing competitively, how much will I benefit from a new bike given I have the same set of wheels on both bikes (right now I'm riding 700/26 Armadillos). Any recommendations would be appreciated.

Keeping your present bike is clearly the sensible thing to do.

My worst nightmere is one in which all of my kids are standing around my coffin and talking about how "sensible" dad was. Sorry, kids, the last check from my checking account is going to pay the undertaker and it's going to bounce.

Since your bike was properly fitted you won't get as comfortable a ride unless you get your new bike properly fitted.

Weight is relative. A Trek 520 weighs about the same as the bikes Eddy Merckx was winning literally 100s of races on. Assuming it has good quality components and a good wheelset you won't notice a huge difference. Some difference if you climb alot but not much on the flats.

OTOH, as Retrogrouch implies (if I read him correctly) there's nothing wrong with rewarding yourself for making a goal. My thought is get to 180# and treat yourself to something nice. I'm currently, and slowly, building a LeMond Maillot Jaune for a similar reason.

:beer:

You have a very interesting posting that applies quite a bit to my situation. I was 254 lbs about 9 months ago and now find myself at 192 lbs. I am 6ft 1in and 52 years old. I started dropping the weight by going the Low Carb route and it was successful. When I got down to around 230 (March) I started riding my son's 12 year old Trek hybrid bike while wearing my heart rate monitor. The bike is heavy and upright so my average speed is about 14 mph but I have had no problems getting my heart rate to the range I needed to burn fat.

Since March I have put about 1100 miles on the bike doing consistent 15 mile rides about 5 days a week. Generally I ride for about an hour.

Now I find myself wanting a new bike. On the one hand my main objective is continued fitness riding. Yet on the other hand I would like to do some long rides in the future. Something like a century next sping/summer. (I am an ex-marathoner and I guess I just have this problem needing to go the distance)

For the fitness route a heavy inefficient bike can work as the main goal is to control the heart rate. For the "fun" rides and the ability to put in the miles, the new road bike would be just the ticket. Later today I am off to the LBS to get fitted and to look at some bikes.

I an leaning towards a $1600 price range and for going for all the gear (i.e., cycling shorts, clipless pedals, and of course a helmut) Since one of my overall goals is to have some comfort during the rides I will probably look into comfortable saddles and the seem to be attracted to carbon fiber as they claim it dampens the road vibration.

Given the technology as it now exists on many of these road bikes, at age 52 the bike I purchase now may last me a very long time so I am considering probably buying more bike than I need. I would suggest at your age you go for the most bike you can affort as it has the potential to last you to the end of your riding years.

Good luck.

The 520 is a great bike and not heavy at all. Don't get sucked into the superlight weight chase syndrome. It's a perfect case of diminishing returns. Unless you're climbing a really long steep hill the weight means nothing. If I'm recalling right, which I might not be, I think the rule of thumb for the Mt. Washington climb (7.5 miles @ 12%) is one pound equals thirty seconds and it takes an hour for a top athlete to make that climb, probably an hour more for most of us.

The bike I used to hammer on 20 years ago was light for the time and probably five pounds heavier than my current bike. I averaged at least 5 mph faster than then I do now. Sometimes I ride our tandem solo (would make your trek feel like the worlds most extreme superlight race bike) and am not that much slower than when on my race bike.

The bike shops that are telling you your bike is too heavy are showing where their loyalties are. The truthful response when you find out someone has a 520 is "great bike". When you find a bike shop that responds that way you've found a good place to do business with.

By lighter roadbike they mean a road bike would be lighter.They are not saying go get a 15lb bike and hell yes get a new bike. Right now you can find a gread deal on a 5200 because of model change and 05's are out.

For the last two years I have been riding a 520, which I bought because of my weight (240 at the time, 6'2"). I had it professionally fitted with a "Fit Kit" and it had been a wonderful bike (comfortable and stable). I have made a promise to myself to get in good shape within the next year (before my 60th birthday). Currently, I'm at 210 and hope to get to about 180. Now here's the question. Every time I talk to someone at a bike shop, they say "Trek 520 Yikes HEAVY!!!!". There is one side of me that wants to believe them when they suggest a lighter road bike, but I also realize that they are there to sell bikes. Of course it's always nice to lust after a new bike. Since I won't be racing competitively, how much will I benefit from a new bike given I have the same set of wheels on both bikes (right now I'm riding 700/26 Armadillos). Any recommendations would be appreciated.

You're asking a bunch of bike junkies if you should buy a new bike. I think the response is rather predictable. :)

A nice new road bike will feel quicker and you'll go a bit faster uphill. No question about that. If you're having trouble keeping up with a group you ride with, it might help.

Now, all that considered, it most likely won't be as comfortable as your 520, it won't be as durable and it'll likely require more maintenance.

If you aren't going to be racing, why buy a racing bike?

I think in the compairson, one really needs to compare apples to apples. (so-to-speak)
The 520 is a Touring bike. Not a racer. Is the bike shop recommending a lighter tourer or a race bike? They are not the same in the job they are desined to do.

Hi,
an old tradition was to have a bike for training and a bike for racing. It would be great fun to have a fast bike for group rides and such. And you could keep the 520 for touring and commuting.
When one bike is in the shop, you still have a ride. It's a great idea. But.... and it's a big one... if you're going to hurt yourself financially it's a bad idea. And when you say you're using the same wheels, that makes me wonder. Why not keep an eye out for a fast bike that's a few years old? You'll eventaully find a hot
bike at a reasonable price; and you can avoid throwing heavy wheels and tires on a light frame.

What kind of group is on that bike? Does it have downtube shifters or STI? Perhaps you can do a few upgrades instead of buying a new bike all together. I don't see anything wrong with a 520 Alum frame, you won't see that much a difference with a couple of pounds for what you doing. The price/worth it ratio is not enough. You would however see a better reward and spend half the money my simply upgrading things like the wheels/tires, seat, handlebars and stem..new levers ect. Look on ebay for all this stuff. With all the $ you save, go you and get a new outfit too

Your almost 60,get a new fricken bike. Because others dont want you to get one because they can or you might have a nicer one then they do. If ya got the bucks,do it. You can deal on 04's right now. Some so called "Race" bikes are just called that because of the way they are set up and being under 20lbs for the most part. Hell if you buy a car with a stick shift some call that racey,wrong. Buy a new bike,you'll be happy and it will make you want to ride harder.

Nobody's mentioned the "F" word yet have they? You know, Fun? Is there anyone here who doesn't think that a new lighter bike is going to be more fun to ride? Fun to ride is not only the most important thing, it's the only thing.

All I'm reading is "Keep the heavier bike so you'll have to work harder." "Nobody should own a Corvette unless their name is Unser or Andretti." "Save your money." All very sensible answers. Sensible but no fun at all. Do you guys ever do anything just for the hell of it? Does your house have any pictures on the wall or is everything still painted realtor blah?

I can't believe that I'm the guy whose screen name is Grouch. On this board I don't even make the cut for grouchyness.

Uh- 'cept for maybe shockhead, his answer was cool.

if you can afford to spend like $1500 or more then get a new bike so you can fall in love with riding all over again and have a great new frame and component group to spend all that time with while you're working toward your weight-loss goals.

if your budget is less than $1000 then use the LBS to get a sense of what sizes you feel best on in the different brands and then find a good deal used in the paper or on ebay or craigslist.

and by no means should you end up on a Cdale or some all aluminum frame. try to get a new or newer steel bike that fits you so you'll have the fun factor while keeping the comfort of your old ride.

and keep the 520 for when the weather looks sketchy.

Thanks guys! I guess Shokhead's answer was the slap in the face that helped me regain my perspective. Money's not a big issue so I will be splurging on what will probably be my last bike. In recognition of the revised status of my Trek 520, I tried it with 700/37 Continentals today (insted of the 700/26 that were on it). AHH, with my Brooks saddle and those fat tires it'slike riding ina Cadillac. Thanks

Thanks guys! I guess Shokhead's answer was the slap in the face that helped me regain my perspective. Money's not a big issue so I will be splurging on what will probably be my last bike. In recognition of the revised status of my Trek 520, I tried it with 700/37 Continentals today (insted of the 700/26 that were on it). AHH, with my Brooks saddle and those fat tires it'slike riding ina Cadillac. Thanks

Doug:

All this talk about speed when you're not racing is silly. It seems like we get a newby on this fourm asking, "should I get a Trek 1000" every week. The fact is, most of these cyclsits should be riding the Trek 520 which is why you see so many mint 1000's on sale at Ebay for drastically low prices. I would keep the 520 in case you find out the high end road bike really wasn't you after all.

Where is all the talk about speed?

If your purpose is general fitness, weight loss, and recreation, then your 520 will be just as good as any other bike. Keep it and ride it!

Buy a new bike and give me the 520. It'll just be taking up room in your garage. :)