Originally Posted by BenDoVhr

I need advice. READ ALL. Moderators if this is the wrong area to ask this topic, please move my post to the right area. Thank you.

I'm a huge Cannondale Mountain Bike Fanboy. Had 3 of them so far, but now decided I'm going to give it a shot in the Road Biking scene. Unfortunately budget is tighter than you know what since I've purchased my new car, so I've been looking at my options. My buddy every now and then lets me ride his Cervelo R3 being a Carbon Fiber frame I totally dig it, but my money cannot lay out that pretty buck to get that. My buddy and I were chatting on my options and I said I want to say stay with Cannondale if I went Road Bike option, but I've seen some really good Treks and I might consider one of those as my first Road Bike bike. His exact words were "Bro if you cant afford a Cervelo, FFFFF Trek dont even look at that, if your budget allows get a Cannondale, because Cannondale puts the Trek to shame 100% in the Road Biking Category any day. Complete Smearing on the wall, no competition at all" Now I realize thats one mans opinion so it may vary, plus he is Canadian sooo you know....This is why I want some advice here.

Recently I've come across a 2011 Cannondale SuperSix Carbon Fiber with ultegra components at a local shop. Really reasonable priced too plus tax (not sure if I can talk about prices here). Only two years old but used by the shop rentals. Owner claims it has about 1000 miles on it so far. Based on the amount of people he rented it to, and the time frames they've ridden thats his estimate.

This past week I came across someone in the local bike community selling a 2012 Trek Madone 2.1 Aluminum Frame ( I know this is an entry level bike) Components are all Shimano 105 he never done any type of upgrades had it for about a year. He said based on his CatEye computer and GPS on some App he has running off of his iphone (not Strava) has showed he had accumulated 1000 miles on it. He is giving me literarily half off from what he paid which was retail plus tax.

Basically both bikes are the same on mileage and used, both are in the same condition. No issues and they work fine. I've ridden on both and of course Cannondale is night and day compared to the Trek. Every bump is not even noticed. Trek feels heavier I felt the roughness. I took both out and hit up about 25-30

Cannondale is Carbon Fiber and latest Ultegra 6700 not 6800. I get a store warranty on all parts for a year, and Frame for lifetime warranty
Trek is Aluminum and latest Shimano 105 just like it came from the factory. No warranty on any parts, dont even know if lifetime warranty is covered anymore because he is selling me the bike as a second owner.

Budget difference between the two is $750 bucks extra which is going to be super tough for me to cough up if I went with Cannondale. Trek is very doable without hickups.
If I get the Cannondale I dont need to upgrade anything anytime soon. I'm good to ride it for a while. If I get Trek I think I will want to upgrade when the money becomes available in the next 3 months.

So here is the QUESTION

Lets say I go with the Trek and I want to upgrade the parts in the next few months or a year period. Does it make any sense to do this.....

From your experience as a ride does the Dura Ace or Ultegra really make that big of a difference over something like the Shimano 105 for a STARTER bike ? And If you had a choice to do the following either upgrade to the Dura Ace/ Ultegra system and keep original Madone frame or Upgrade to a Cannondale/Trek Carbon Fiber frame and keep stock Shimano 105 components. Which one would you do and why ? if you dont mind sharing that would really help me with a decision. And what do you guys think I really should do here in general.

Theoretically I could come up with the $750 difference on the Cannondale but I will be eating Noodles for two months and living like I was living in college broke like a serious joke.

Some of the local guys I mountain bike with say my idea of going with Trek is the way to go. Many say I'm creating a headache and just go with the Cannondale. My buddy says get a Cervelo and you will get laid everyday lol So I'm still lost.

*EDIT>>FORGOT to mention this little part. The Cannondale is 58cm, the Trek is 56cm. Both fit me fine, but I would say the Cannondale is roomier. My legs feel a bit easier I guess. ? But not that much of a difference for me. I'm not sure if it will play a major difference when I'm out riding 30 miles continuously.

Thank you very much in advance, I appreciate the patience in reading any and all comments will be welcomed and appreciated.

Ben