Originally Posted by
Bacciagalupe
At a rough guess, and based on recent Velonews tests:
• Going from 32-spoke standard-depth wheels with 25c clinchers, to carbon fiber aero wheels with fewer spokes and 21c tubulars will gain you 10-20 watts, and may also handle weird in stiff cross-winds. Aero wheels could cost you $700+ more than standard wheels.
• Going from a round-tube framed bike to a top of the line aero bike will save you 10-20 watts. Cost varies, but could be only a $500 difference.
More to the point, though, you don't need a Venge, or SRAM Red, or Zipp 404's or a 13-pound bike for training and higher-speed recreational rides.
If I were in your shoes, and keeping in mind there's no way I would drop $7000 on a bicycle
.... I'd go for the Tarmac Race Rival ($3000, around 17 lbs, nice color scheme). Throw a pair of Psimet or similar aero wheels ($1000), and you'll be in only a few watts and ounces shy of what you'd get building up your own Tarmac with Red and Zipp 404's.
Thanks for the information. I've priced it out and through my team deal there is only a couple hundred dollar difference in the frame cost. I agree I don't need Red for a training sometimes racing bike but I want it.
I've got a 4 year old Madone now with Rival and am ready for something new and would like nicer components. As far as the Zipps, if I were to get some I would buy them used from a team mate who would sell them to me for about $700 if I got the Venge. I would likely not get them if I went Tarmac as I already have a nice set of non-aero wheels I would use on it. I'm just trying to get all the information I can so I don't regret my decision down the road since I'll have this bike for a while. Thanks for all the input and keep it coming if anyone else has anything to add.