How much better do bikes get from year to year? I picked the Roubaix as an example since it's a popular model
[and I probably want to buy one!]. How much does a rider give up by getting an older bike?
I recognize that this is made more difficult because there are so many different sub-models, which is probably a legitimate question of its own: are the frames significantly different for the different models? Or are the differences primarily components and wheels? There's a HUGE price gap between the bottom and top rung models!
But back to the title questions:
- There are some years (it seems to me) when major changes are made - the frame contours look very different. Is there a source that identifies the major changes in various main stream bikes?
- Do Shimano components steadily get better? As an example, do Ultegra components become 105's every ten years or so? Are 2010 105 components significantly better than 2005 105's?
- Do wheels fatigue in ways that aren't visible?
- Aside from wheels, how much does previous mileage matter?
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I do a lot of group rides. I don't mind riding old bikes - my 35 year old Lotus would be OK if it had brakes and modern shifting - I rode it 250 miles last week while waiting for parts for my modern bike. I don't lust after the glitzy bikes I see. But my GT is a little small (58, should be 60) and if I'm going to get another bike I may as well shoot for a star.