Quote:

Originally Posted by Bigbus

I'm so in tune with this statement that it's scary! Must be an Oregon thing.

Not Just Oregon. Once you've priced out a couple rounds of upgrades on older bikes, -v- the cost of used bikes it makes so much sense.
Especially if your current bike has some feature you really couldn't replace.
I have a ~1997 Softride as my primary road bike, it was originally 3x7 RSX, with 32h box-section wheels. Serviceable but heavy and dated. I found a BD Mercier on Cragslist for $200, with Tiagra/105 2x9 and Shimano R500 semi-aero wheels. I swapped the wheels, controls and driveline to the Softride, for slightly more than the price of a decent budget wheelset, or new brifters.
*I put all the old 7-speed stuff on the Mercier frame, and sold it on CL for $200, so the cost for upgrading my bike was essentially a roll of fresh bar tape.