Diminishing returns
 

The Scott Addict R2 has Ultegra 6700 and it's not hard to the bike down to sub 16 lbs with clinchers. That bike lists for $3300.

If you want to step up to the Scott Addict R1, the price doubles (almost) to $6500. Here's what that additional $3200 gets you:

A 100 gram lighter frame.
A 60 gram lighter fork.
Ksyrium SL wheels (upgraded from the Elites on the R2)
Dura Ace 7900.

In comparison the Ultegra spec R2 is a screaming bargain. But a similar relationship exists across most bike lines, the Ultegra bikes are often the best deal overall. The discrepancy in the Scott line seems rather glaring; it may be because that R2 seems priced kind of aggressively, some other brands get more for their Ultegra bikes, but most seem to fall in that $2500-$3500 range with 6700 these days.

I own a bike with Dura Ace 7900. I think the Ultegra actually shifts better. Feels like a pro bike in every respect. Pretty light too.

It's a testament to the bike weenie proclivity for overspending to save a few grams. Thank God I'd never stoop to that.

After shopping around in the $2k-$3k range, i agree with you.

The "sweet spot" is around $3k ($3.5k) and most bikes in this range have Ultegra or Force.

Busted.

Probably sweetest spot is 105 for components.

Same between the Sram Red and 2010 Sram Force. No noticeable difference at all... Shouldn't a noticeable difference be what really counts?

The old 105 not so much. The brand new 105 (saw it in person tonight) is very cool.

Second the first sentence.

That new 105 was Schwagalicious, much like the new Ultegra. Nice job Shimano.

As I get older, I recognize these diminishing returns. My Rival bike is as light as my Dura Ace and I prefer the ergonomics of Sram. I also own 6700 and yes it does shift better than 7900 because as you know, they rushed 7900 to market and refined 6700 before release. From you example above of grams savings, you can easily spend 1/3 less money on new bars, seatpost, skewers, saddle and even wheels to save the weight difference. All my bikes are in 16.5 lb range without fancy wheels.

Yeah, but slothy, with you it's mainly because you're a complete and utter friggin cheapskate. As you well know.

Is there a hobby that requires gear that doesn't fall victim to this rule?

I have a well to do aunt who is a bird watcher. I believe her binoculars cost more than one of Pcads bikes. I'm sure when it comes to telling a sparrow from a swallow they will beat my navy surplus pair, but come on, $8000 for f***ing birds?

Pcad, you have convinced me I will go with an Ultegra equipped bike.

I meant the new 105. But even the old 105 is decent.

Stop trying to introduce reason into new bike procurement. Now repeat after me: the more you pay the better it is...the more you pay the better it is

don't you mean the old new?

Is this supposed to be news?

I can quit at any time.

Fixed.

You can get a very nice Ti bike in that price range http://www.lynskeyperformance.com/a/...lete-promo.php . Weight might be slightly heavier but the ride will be sweet and if you crash you frame will likely not be totaled. You have really succumb to the CF Kool Aide!!

If you total your bike, it's a perfect excuse to buy another bike.







I don't particularly see a problem.

Campagnolo.








:innocent:

I believe that's the real reason carbon bikes are cheaper and more popular than Ti bikes. Ti bikes are for those wacky folk who want something that's going to last into the next generation, while carbon bike lovers can just throw their bikes against a wall and say they need a new one. My wife was wondering what was wrong with me because I was gnawing at my carbon seat stay.

It can be a problem if you are on it during the event. I'm going to start parking mine behind my wife's car.

i was a swimmer before getting a road bike (still one at heart). my most important piece of equipment was my $5 googles... oh and a swim suit too i guess. with new regulations competition race suits are only $150 (as a posed to $600 before new regulations came out - full body suits are out)... cycling easily costs 10x as much as swimming in terms of equipment - at least from the get go... actually its probably more like 30x to start and then maybe 10x after you have your bike.