Buy a nice bike or upgrade a cheaper one?
 

Hello everyone.

After a year+ of my hybrid, I'm ready to graduate to a road bike. I like to think I'm above an entry-level cyclist (I just did a 64-mile ride yesterday on my own), but I'm far from a pro or even a serious amateur. However, I have a bit of a dilemma.

Given that components on bikes are so easy to upgrade, is it better to buy a bike with nice components or buy something cheap and upgrade as I feel the need?

For example, I was thinking of a BikesDirect bike, because I'm looking to gain some wrenching/assembly experience. Should I go for the Windsor Wellington 3.0 (http://www.bikesdirect.com/products/...ington3_IX.htm) with a mix of 2300/Sora parts, or go for the more expensive Windsor Fens (http://www.bikesdirect.com/products/windsor/fens_xi.htm) with 105 parts?

Thanks for your thoughts.

105 Yes

Parts are more expensive aftermarket. Buy the best you can afford up front. 105.

Aaron :)

My thoughts? Your dilemna is that you assume that getting a road bike is necessary to "graduate" from being considered (by yourself) as an "entry-level cyclist."

Best you can afford now, as with others, upgrading is expensive compared to buying it complete in the first place. Also, the Windsor may be listed as a 2013 bike, but is has old 2012 Sora, and then only 1 part from the group on the bike, most parts are 2200, 2013 9 speed Sora is much nicer than 2012, if the Windsor came with 2013 Sora, it would be worth looking at, as is, unless you are on a real budget for the bike, get the Wellington.

+1

As long as you can afford it, I agree with getting the 105 equipped bike.

Road bikes are amazingly fun. Buy the road bike.

Given the choice, would you rather own a brand new Corvette or a resto-modded '57 Chevy?

The cost is probably going to work out to be about the same. The new Corvette (or new, nicer bike) will probably do everything better but it won't have the "panache" of the resto-modded '57 (or a bike that you reworked yourself). There really isn't a wrong answer unless you buy one thinking that you're getting the other.

Better parts = better bike.....105 is a great place to start.

better to already have the chops before you get one of those..

when you buy from your LBS, you have backup right there,
and everything works before you buy it.

instead of buying first, then making it work , on your own.

i'd say: beater, made to work, but nothing fancy acting as a theft magnet.
and a nicer bike for the occasions that you want a longer sporty ride.

Good locking scheme for both.. a heavy security, and a light one ,

to prevent grab and ride off thefts when you have to use the WC.

If you are riding on the road and road riding is what you like-Then get a road bike. It is the bike for the use and is the correct graduation.

And 105 is the better groupset but ensure that it is 105 and not just a couple of bits and the rest a downgrade.