Conundrum: choosing between 3 bikes
#1
Conundrum: choosing between 3 bikes
Thanks in advance for any advice..
This weekend i'm purchasing a used bike and i'm looking at three options:
1. 2015 TMR01, ultegra build with dura-ace crank, random Chinese carbon wheels - $3k
the good: i have always lusted after this bike.
the bad: i think im over-paying. random wheels.
2. 2019 SystemSix, stock ultegra build - $2100
the good: it's almost brand new. appears to have a good name/reputation
the bad: nothing "bad" per se
3. 2016 SuperSix, 105 build with Zipp404 wheels - $1800
the good: seems a good value; valuable wheels
the bad: doesn't excite me like choice 1.
My goals: to ride mostly on the weekends. To improve cycling fitness. Mostly flat Florida roads.
This weekend i'm purchasing a used bike and i'm looking at three options:
1. 2015 TMR01, ultegra build with dura-ace crank, random Chinese carbon wheels - $3k
the good: i have always lusted after this bike.
the bad: i think im over-paying. random wheels.
2. 2019 SystemSix, stock ultegra build - $2100
the good: it's almost brand new. appears to have a good name/reputation
the bad: nothing "bad" per se
3. 2016 SuperSix, 105 build with Zipp404 wheels - $1800
the good: seems a good value; valuable wheels
the bad: doesn't excite me like choice 1.
My goals: to ride mostly on the weekends. To improve cycling fitness. Mostly flat Florida roads.
#2
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2018
Posts: 178
Likes: 109
From: Roanoke, VA
Bikes: 2020 Canyon Endurace CF SL
If it were me I'd go with the 2019 SystemSix. I love BMC bikes too. But that seems like it's priced too high. The Chinese wheels can be hit or miss. I know people who have ridden them thousands of miles with no issues. And I know some who have had nothing but problems.
Honestly I don't think any of them are bad choices. The two Cannondales seem to be better buys to me though. The 2019 SystemSix is a $4000 bike and you are getting it almost half price.
Honestly I don't think any of them are bad choices. The two Cannondales seem to be better buys to me though. The 2019 SystemSix is a $4000 bike and you are getting it almost half price.
#4
Banned
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 9,923
Likes: 1,066
From: Lincoln Ne
Bikes: RANS Stratus TerraTrike Tour II
Dont fret too much. Remember most bikes are built by about 5 companies in Asia. They build the same bike, and then slap on the name and logo of the company the ordered a batch.
#5
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2018
Posts: 178
Likes: 109
From: Roanoke, VA
Bikes: 2020 Canyon Endurace CF SL
Yes and no. Built by the same handful of companies, but it's not a case of the same frame being sold by multiple companies just with different logos on them.
#6
Senior Member

Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 15,917
Likes: 3,944
Bikes: 2015 Workswell 066, 2017 Workswell 093, 2014 Dawes Sheila, 1983 Cannondale 500, 1984 Raleigh Olympian, 2007 Cannondale Rize 4, 2017 Fuji Sportif 1 LE
I don't know the bikes and don't feel like doing research, but a basically new bike vs. a 7--year-old bike? And an MTB, which tends to take a lot more abuse? The old bike seems like a great deal until the shocks start leaking and the wheels explode. (I actually have Chinese CF wheels on a road bike, and have had no problems .... but as I understand it QC might be spotty, and MTB wheels can take some huge hits (which I why I am glad I have Industry 9 wheels on mine.))
#7
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2018
Posts: 178
Likes: 109
From: Roanoke, VA
Bikes: 2020 Canyon Endurace CF SL
I don't know the bikes and don't feel like doing research, but a basically new bike vs. a 7--year-old bike? And an MTB, which tends to take a lot more abuse? The old bike seems like a great deal until the shocks start leaking and the wheels explode. (I actually have Chinese CF wheels on a road bike, and have had no problems .... but as I understand it QC might be spotty, and MTB wheels can take some huge hits (which I why I am glad I have Industry 9 wheels on mine.))
#8
Tragically Ignorant

Joined: Jun 2018
Posts: 15,593
Likes: 9,109
From: New England
Bikes: Serotta Atlanta; 1994 Specialized Allez Pro; Giant OCR A1; SOMA Double Cross Disc; 2022 Allez Elite mit der SRAM
#9
Senior Member

Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 15,917
Likes: 3,944
Bikes: 2015 Workswell 066, 2017 Workswell 093, 2014 Dawes Sheila, 1983 Cannondale 500, 1984 Raleigh Olympian, 2007 Cannondale Rize 4, 2017 Fuji Sportif 1 LE
Sorry .... but yeah .... five, not seven .... i am not good at math.
Apparently.
Apparently.
#11
Tragically Ignorant

Joined: Jun 2018
Posts: 15,593
Likes: 9,109
From: New England
Bikes: Serotta Atlanta; 1994 Specialized Allez Pro; Giant OCR A1; SOMA Double Cross Disc; 2022 Allez Elite mit der SRAM
#12
Senior Member

Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 15,917
Likes: 3,944
Bikes: 2015 Workswell 066, 2017 Workswell 093, 2014 Dawes Sheila, 1983 Cannondale 500, 1984 Raleigh Olympian, 2007 Cannondale Rize 4, 2017 Fuji Sportif 1 LE
Once again proving that a blind pig can indeed find an acorn ... by dumb luck.
No, no need to thank me. it is a service I provide.
No, no need to thank me. it is a service I provide.
#13
Full Member

Joined: Oct 2017
Posts: 371
Likes: 195
Bikes: Trek Emonda SLR 9; Moots Routt YBB; Trek Fuel EX8+; LeMond Poprad
Without a doubt, #2 is the best choice, Bike less than a year old, you can't go wrong with Ultegra.
EXCEPT - The SystemSix is Cannondale's fully integrated aero package. So ordinary maintenance such as replacing cables/housing can be a major PIA. If you do your own wrenching, are you willing to deal with it or pay someone else to? If you need a stem that's just a wee bit longer, that could be an expensive cash outlay for that integrated bar/stem. Need some more stack height on that bike? You could be SOL.
I still say it's the best option, but the true answer can't be found without riding each of the bikes and see how they fit you.
EXCEPT - The SystemSix is Cannondale's fully integrated aero package. So ordinary maintenance such as replacing cables/housing can be a major PIA. If you do your own wrenching, are you willing to deal with it or pay someone else to? If you need a stem that's just a wee bit longer, that could be an expensive cash outlay for that integrated bar/stem. Need some more stack height on that bike? You could be SOL.
I still say it's the best option, but the true answer can't be found without riding each of the bikes and see how they fit you.
#15
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2018
Posts: 1,410
Likes: 345
Bikes: 2017 Specialized Allez Sprint Comp
Without a doubt, #2 is the best choice, Bike less than a year old, you can't go wrong with Ultegra.
EXCEPT - The SystemSix is Cannondale's fully integrated aero package. So ordinary maintenance such as replacing cables/housing can be a major PIA. If you do your own wrenching, are you willing to deal with it or pay someone else to? If you need a stem that's just a wee bit longer, that could be an expensive cash outlay for that integrated bar/stem. Need some more stack height on that bike? You could be SOL.
I still say it's the best option, but the true answer can't be found without riding each of the bikes and see how they fit you.
EXCEPT - The SystemSix is Cannondale's fully integrated aero package. So ordinary maintenance such as replacing cables/housing can be a major PIA. If you do your own wrenching, are you willing to deal with it or pay someone else to? If you need a stem that's just a wee bit longer, that could be an expensive cash outlay for that integrated bar/stem. Need some more stack height on that bike? You could be SOL.
I still say it's the best option, but the true answer can't be found without riding each of the bikes and see how they fit you.
#17
Story it sounds like option number one excites you and you want option number 1… the other 2 are OK blah blah worth it blah blah. But are you gonna want to ride them and still lust after the 1st 1? By what you really want. Buy once cry once





