help - 2 questions
 

my knee begins to ache after the 90 minutes mark (going hard). i've experienced aches before but i think it was bc my saddle was too high (my knee would ache really quickly). I lowered it a tad and its been fine. my questions is, do you think my setup is somehow incorrect? its just my left knee and i am 32 so maybe this is normal?

question 2. i have an 08 jamis ventura comp. a solid beginner bike. i am thinking of not upgrading parts but just getting a whole new bike next year. Im pretty new to road biking do you think i will be able to tell a major difference between my bike and a new, lets say i spend $2500, bike? is it like going from toyota to lexus??

thanks

1: I think you solved your own problem.

2: Yes.

major difference in what? ride quality? speed? handling? if it's the ride quality, you might, though not all carbon are made equal and geometry often plays a bigger role as far as comfort in concerned. as for speed, you'll be able to tell the difference if you spend $2500 on a powermeter & aero wheels.

thanks for the input. i realize my question was poorly worded.

ya, im looking to either upgrade my bike or just buy a new one. i dont think i can afford a carbon bike. and with a carbon bike im sure i will be sacrificing comfort for speed. and speed is my #1 priority. i know once i look at $2000 - $3000 price range of bikes, doors will open. im just asking because im a beginner and novice may not be able to tell the difference (if a beginner golfer bought forged blades this would take away from his game) between bikes.

maybe just invest in a nice wheel set? i dunno. im looking for advice here.

i think its a legitimate question worthy of a thread.

a lighter bike will not make you faster unless you have sustained grades of ~6% (at least 1/2 mile or longer). a wheelset will make you faster, but that effect only becomes significant at speed of 25mph or greater. if none of these are applicable, then the best bang for your buck would be a powermeter (i'd suggest a crank based one if you want aero wheels later). while this won't appeal to everyone, it will allow you to train efficiently enough that you can get faster in a shorter period of time. then, if you can maintain higher speeds, then you'll actually get more out of the aero wheels. alternatively, get a bombproof aero wheel (the cosmic carbones come to mind) laced to powertap pro.

Lexus is made by Toyota

Find your Local Bike Shop and see if they do fittings. Best money I've spent.

I am going to go out on a limb here and say that your fit is incorrect. Knee pain is never normal and could be from many things such as saddle to high, saddle to low, poor cleat positioning, arch collapse.....etc.....etc......

i am afraid my fit is incorrect
i am 5'8 and my bike is a 56
i got it used on craigslist low mileage and at a great price.
im just going to tough it out this season and get a new bike next spring
and get fitted correctly and invest in a power meter

thanks for any and all input

in that case, make sure you get the book "training with power" before you make a four-figure investment. if you like what you read, great; conversely, some people hate dealing with numbers. you don't want to find out after having made the big purchase

I'm 5-10 and was sized to a 54. So you do sound like you have a bike a little large. But maybe a LBS can get you fitted. My last bike was a 56 and needed a shorter handlebar stem help bring the bars closer.