PLEASE HELP...Diamondback Podium 5 or Podium 6???
 

I am an above average bicyclist. I have been riding a Trek 4500 mountain bike, and did more street riding last year. Some days i ride 27 miles to work. Not doing any racing, although i am working toward a mini-triathlon this year, and will probably put 1000-2000 miles per year on my bike.

Based on the above, I need to get a road bike. I have narrowed my search down to the Podium 5 or Podium 6. I know the 6 has a number of upgrades (better crankset, derailleurs, tires, shifters, rear cog, hubs, rims, brakes, brake levers, pedals, handlebar, stem, seatpost). Here is the link if u want to see the exact component upgrades. http://www.diamondback.com/bikes/road/podium-6-11/

My question is, with the riding i'm doing, how much difference are these upgrades going to make to me? Am I better off saving $$ and going with the Podium 5 (which is still a serious upgrade over what I have), or should I spend the extra $$ and go with the Podium 6. The difference to me is about $600. I'll spend the extra cash if i'll see the benefit over the long run, but obviously don't want to spend it if the difference will not be that noticeable.

I really appreciate the opinion of anybody knowledgeable that takes the time to answer. Thank you.

Keith

The general rule is buy what you can up front, since it's cheaper than upgrading later, but the spec on that podium 5 isn't shabby. From glancing over the spec I think your extra money is mostly buying you a weight reduction. 105 should be a solid workhorse, I'd say you'd be hard pressed to say you need ultegra but hey, we all like to have nice stuff.

Indeedy!

The 105 spec is solid, plenty for someone planning 1k-2k mi a year. Only go up to the Ultregra level if you've got the coin and all the other bases covered (shoes, good pedals, etc)

The Podium 5 is a fine bike. The Ultegra will be lighter and a bit smoother (you could test ride them to see). What is the price difference? Also, the wheelset that comes with the 6 is only marginally better than the ones that come on the 5. I'm really surprised that they have RS-30's on an Ultegra level bike. That's pretty equivalent to the Mavic Aksiums. Boat anchors, all of 'em.

So I'd recommend getting the 5 and spending the savings on a decent wheelset.

I've got to agree here with above, given the $500+ difference between the Podium 5 and 6.

Get the 5, sell the wheels for $130 on ebay (with the tires), and get yourself a wheelset in the under 1600 gram area or so, and drop the wire bead Michelin Dynamic tires for some Continental GP 4000S or equivalent for another 160 grams in outer rotating weight savings. All told you'll drop over a pound of rotating mass, dramatically improve the ride for the better, and can spend less than the >$650 difference to do it.

The RS30 wheelset on the Podium 6 is a supposed "step up" and has deeper profile at 30mm, but its still a boat anchor.

Just got a flyer in the mail and I noticed the Podium 5 was on sale for $1299 and the Podium 6 was $1799.

My son has a Podium 4 from a few years ago and is very happy with it (4 then was full carbon frame with mix of Ultegra/FSA/105 components). It's a small frame size but I've ridden it around the block to check shifting/braking etc and it seems to be a nice bike. I had to get a shorter stem for him because he needed a shorter reach but you'll need to check the sizing/fit out for yourself.

+1 to this. I have been an avid cyclist for 20 years and I have always maintained that 105 is the pivotal point where diminishing returns starts to take real effect. Staying true to that, my most recent bike is equipped with 105. I see no need for more than that beyond weight reduction (unless, of course, you find a better price on it over 105). I did upgrade the wheelset, saddle, and handlebar, but the rest keeps me quite happy. The Podium 5 is spec'ed similarly, and you even have a carbon frame over my aluminum!

Look for a used bike on CL. Plenty of very high quality bikes (Ultegra quality) for less than $400, and no tax. Unless I'm attacking hills, there isn't that much gain in speed between a good 23 lbs steel bike and a light 17 lbs aluminum. My workhose bike is a 24 lbs (with Brooks saddle) Cr-Mo steel road bike with 28/32 tires.

You may gain 1-1.5 mph in average speed with a light road bike. That's noise in my book. Do you cruise around 17mph on flat land with no wind? If not, then you still need to train the "motor" before spending more $ on a lighter bike.

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