Originally Posted by
Burton
What technology in particular have you found so impressing?
I can't speak for sstorkel, but since 2001, road bikes have added:
• Carbon fiber frames
• compact frames
• curved tubing
• the whole "endurance road bike" category
• aero wheels and frames
• compact double drivetrains
• electronic shifting
A top-of-the-line road frame from 2001 that cost $5200 (in 2012 dollars) is roughly equivalent to a $1400 road bike today.
That said, I personally would not have a problem riding a ten year old road bike, as long as it's in good shape, has STI/brifters, and I can easily get compatible parts.
And since my current bikes work just fine, I'm happy to wait 10 years to get a carbon-fiber endurance frame with electronic shifting for $1500.
Originally Posted by Burton
I have myself a road bike thats 27 years old and a hybrid thats 18 years old as well as a much more recent Specialized Roubaix Ultegra and a completely custom built CF mtb for trail riding. Personally I've yet to find any newer components that can't be fitted to the older frames....
I've also got an 80s era road bike with downtube shifters. Freewheels can be special ordered, but it's unclear for how long. The rims can only take wire-bead tires, which narrows tire choice. Raising and lowering the handlebars is a snap, but changing stem length would be a huge PITA. 7-speed STI is no longer available new.
For the costs and difficulties of upgrading to STI shifters, updating the drive train, and replacing the wheels, it made more sense to drop $1250 on a new road bike and make the 80s bike into my beater bike. Especially since that $1250 bike is as good as what the pros were using in 2001.
