Sell it, strip it, or keep it?
 

So lately I've been thinking of getting rid of one of my bikes and maybe getting another. I bought a 2010 Madone 4.5 less than 6 months ago. It was bone stock at the time with mostly 105 10 sp. drivetrain.

So what did I do? I went and upgraded to full Ultegra 6800 drivetrain (including Ultegra wheels). I spent a little under $1K in parts from Chain reaction. I bought the bike for $900 so for a grand total of around $1900 I have a really nice Carbon bike. My only problem is, I don't really like it that much. Sure it's fast. It climbs really well, accelerates nicely, and "feels" faster than my Lynskey Viale. But, I don't feel connected to it. Every time I go for a ride, I want to grab the Lynskey.

Before I bought the bike, I was considering a Steel framed bike, something cool and old school looking but with a modern build. I was looking at a Gunner in English blue with white panels and brown brooks saddle and grips. And I keep thinking that's what I want.

I have been thinking about swapping back all the parts to 10sp. 105 and selling the bike. Keeping the Ultegra group and buying the Gunnar Frame and building that up. What would you all do?

Then of course, I'd still have the problem of which bike to ride. The gunnar or the Lynskey, but I think that would be a good problem to have. For my riding, I don't really care about speed so much. Either bike will go fast enough. I'm not a racer, just recreational with rides anywhere between 20 - 50 miles and I get to ride 4 or 5 times a week. So, probably around 150 miles a week. The computer tells me that on either bike, I average about the same amount of speed which is around the 14.5MPH range with about 600 ft in elevation changes (constantly). So I'm not faster on the carbon bike than I am on the Ti -- according to the numbers. The Ti bike just "feels" better. And I think a Steel one would feel just as good.

My Lynskey Sportive suffered a cracked chainstay earlier this season, and I was riding a very nice borrowed Cannondale Synapse while it was being repaired. The first time I got back on the Lynskey, I was shocked at how much I had missed it. I would strip the 6800 parts and dump the Madone if it isn't doing it for you. Not sure I would go with a tank like the Gunnar, considering how nice the Ti rides. Maybe get an different Ti frame to build up with the 6800 parts? A Helix or R series?

Nah, since I already have a Ti, I'm thinking I want Steel. I'll still have a carbon bike, albeit, my MTB.