Originally Posted by
mcb345
The Nashbar bike is a great deal and I have been comparing bikes to this Nashbar model but it's running slightly less ideal cranks, wheels, brakes and bottom bracket in my opinion, so I'd want to upgrade a few of those. I like the idea of a tried and true component list from the Merlin bike since it's ripped off from the Ridley bike essentially, plus the bike looks a lot better than the all black nashbar in my opinion.
If the my current frame and this Merlin frame are about equal (just your average cheaper factory built mass produced aluminum frame/carbon fork) does anyone recommend keeping my current frame and upgrading slowly for maybe $200ish more out of pocket compared to this Merlin bike? I'd pretty much be buying the 5800 groupset and a set of Fulcrum, Shimano or Vuelta wheels for under $200. I know most people say not to upgrade cheaper bikes yada yada but I'm not really willing to spend $1200+ on a name brand 105 groupset bike like Fuji or Cannondale, etc and haven't been able to find any used bikes in my area that are worthwhile.
FSA and Tektro are tried and true brands that's why you see them on every major brands bikes. The Merlin bike doesn't have 105 cranks or brakes either. They use Shimano but they are cheaper OEM parts that are equivalent to the FSA and Tektro parts on the Nashbar bike
You can get 105 level Fuji from Performance for $1000
The frame you have is no worse and maybe better than the ones your looking at. You can upgrade to full 105 group and Vuelta wheels for under $600 if you wait for a Nashbar 20-25% sale for the wheels. I think that will be better than the bikes your looking at