Originally Posted by
Bacciagalupe
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.
What I have is a 1988 Miyata Nine-twelve. Aero wheels and frames, a compact double drivetrains or electronic shifting could all be addaed to that or most other older bikes. Just for the record - its current weight is just over 21 lbs, which is still less than some 'entry level' road bikes on the market today.
Originally Posted by
Bacciagalupe
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.
Just my oinion - I happen to LIKE down tube shifters. I did 'upgrade' to 10 speed DuraAce DT shifters, but that only cost $100. Really don't know what all the fuss is about STI shifters/brake combinations. I have those on a Specialized Roubaix Compact Ultegra. The Miyata is currently running a Shimano Ultegra 6600 wheelset, but only because the 20 year old Mavic Cosmic Elites (which weighed less than the Ultegras) looked better on the Specialized so I swapped them. Compact drive trains and/or electronic shifting are things that ca be added to almost any older bike. I don't want them. This bike may be 'old' but it can still overtake 99 % of the riders on the street in Montreal today.
The major 'improvements' are limited to 700x25c high performance tires and modern bar tape. The titanium railed kevlar reinforced saddle is over 20 years old. Technology hasn't changed that much.