Originally Posted by
Nessism
Congratulations on (apparently) having your $hit together and keep your priority's in focus. Many young people don't have your discipline I'm sad to say.
I let my (ex)stepson live with me for a while (for free) while he went to the local JC. Long story short, all he did all day was mess around and put off doing anything resembling work. In the end I had to kick him out because he was more interested in smoking pot than taking care of his responsibilities.
Because of my recent situation I'm sensitive to young people that focus too much energy on PLAY while others around them pick up the tab. If this does not apply to you, GOOD. Doesn't change my feelings toward other people that do though. In my mind, a college student with a 105 bike shouldn't be complaining too much. Ride when you need to blow off some steam and plan on purchasing your dream bike when you graduate.
Sorry. I get really defensive, especially since I'm at an institution where it is perceived that all the students have gotten a one way ticket in on daddy's good graces. I'm a little pissed since my car got broken into last night also.
I second what you say about a bike with 105. I bought my CAAD9 with 105 after working two summers ago because it was a bike where I could afford to replace the frame if something happened to it. I ended up buying an 84 trek frame that I built up with campy centaur/veloce after buying the bike as a beater on craigslist and 'falling in love' with the frame. I still prefer riding the trek, but I've given it to my girlfriend to ride while it's still nice out. I'll use it for base miles over the winter. I was contemplating selling the CAAD9 and getting a better wheelset for the trek, but I wouldn't get anywhere close to the amount I paid for the CAAD9 so I decided not to do that.
As for your advice to the OP, I can't emphasize enough making a good budget build that wouldn't set you back too much if you had to replace something. An 09 rival groupset will be more than good enough, and it weighs in at around the same as 105/ultegra so you won't lose anything there. Also, check out bd if you haven't considered it. They have a full force le champ for 1700.