Help new roadie decide...
08-14-09, 09:04 PM
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Help new roadie decide...
After getting ready to pick up my 2010 Trek 2.3 I noticed a 2009 4.5 Madone in my size and asked the sales guy for a test ride. After a 30+min ride I am now contemplating which bike to choose.
In case anyone is wondering I've checked out all other brands I had in mind and it came down to the Trek. Out of all the other bikes I've looked at Spec, Fuji, and Felt aluminum/105 set, the Trek had the feel/fit I was looking for. Felt F75 was actually my first choice. One dealer had Cannondale but they are no longer carrying them after 09 and they didn't carry CADD9s.
So here are the differences in components besides the frame:
'10 2.3
Full 105 set (crank, brakes and FD and RD )
New Bontrager Race Wheels (non-paired spokes)
Bontrager AW Tires (some tread)
Bontrager Race Saddle
'09 4.5 Madone
105 Crank, FD
Ultegra RD
Brakes (non branded, probably generic shimano)
Older Bontrager Race (Dual spokes)
Bontrager Race Lite Tires (no tread/slicks)
Bontrager R1 Saddle
Both felt the same fit wise. I felt more power output on the 2.3 but the 4.5 had the smoother ride overall. I'm leary on the dual spoke wheels on the madone. There was not really a night and day difference that I was expecting between the two. Now the price difference is $1500 and change for the 2.3 and $1700 and change for the 4.5.
I am also picking up Shimano 105 pedals and R086 shoes. It will be my first time on a clipless setup. They always say you will fall once or several times learning. I'm afraid of damaging a nice carbon "in case" it happens over an aluminum that I won't mind as much if I take a spill.
Is the $200 difference worth getting the carbon for a noob roadie? The carbon has a small chip near the seatmast but is very minor. Rest of the frame looks clean. The 2.3 is flawless since it just arrived. I'm wondering if I should just start off with the 2.3 and trade it in later for a better carbon (Tarmac, Robaix, Felt F4, OCLV Madone, etc). What would you guys recommend?
In case anyone is wondering I've checked out all other brands I had in mind and it came down to the Trek. Out of all the other bikes I've looked at Spec, Fuji, and Felt aluminum/105 set, the Trek had the feel/fit I was looking for. Felt F75 was actually my first choice. One dealer had Cannondale but they are no longer carrying them after 09 and they didn't carry CADD9s.
So here are the differences in components besides the frame:
'10 2.3
Full 105 set (crank, brakes and FD and RD )
New Bontrager Race Wheels (non-paired spokes)
Bontrager AW Tires (some tread)
Bontrager Race Saddle
'09 4.5 Madone
105 Crank, FD
Ultegra RD
Brakes (non branded, probably generic shimano)
Older Bontrager Race (Dual spokes)
Bontrager Race Lite Tires (no tread/slicks)
Bontrager R1 Saddle
Both felt the same fit wise. I felt more power output on the 2.3 but the 4.5 had the smoother ride overall. I'm leary on the dual spoke wheels on the madone. There was not really a night and day difference that I was expecting between the two. Now the price difference is $1500 and change for the 2.3 and $1700 and change for the 4.5.
I am also picking up Shimano 105 pedals and R086 shoes. It will be my first time on a clipless setup. They always say you will fall once or several times learning. I'm afraid of damaging a nice carbon "in case" it happens over an aluminum that I won't mind as much if I take a spill.
Is the $200 difference worth getting the carbon for a noob roadie? The carbon has a small chip near the seatmast but is very minor. Rest of the frame looks clean. The 2.3 is flawless since it just arrived. I'm wondering if I should just start off with the 2.3 and trade it in later for a better carbon (Tarmac, Robaix, Felt F4, OCLV Madone, etc). What would you guys recommend?
