cisnal

Ok guys please forgive me if I am asking a dumb question but I really need help. I got into biking about 2 years ago and have lost over 20 pounds doing it. I currently own an Trek X-Caliper and a Trek Hybrid. I have a trainer at hom with a diamond bike podium race bike. The other day I went to my local LBS to upgrade to an all carbon bike and saw the Trek Madone 4.5 listed for $2100 and a 2013 Cervelo S2 limit edition (black satin finish) for $2000 dollars. Both are in my price range and I want to stay there. I am riding the bike for 40 mile road trips and at times group rides. My question is if you feel Cervelo 2013 S2 model is depreciating? I heard Cervelo sold to a big company and things may change and the value can go down. I rode both bike for my frame set and love both. Oh I did not mention the Madone 4.5 is Ultegra and the Cervelo is 105. Not that this matters much. The Cerlo has a more Aero look. Any thoughts? I been unable to find anything online comparing the both. If they even do compare. I am I comparing a bmw to a mercedes or a bmw to a honda? Please let me know since I have no experience with this at all.. Thank you.

Phil_gretz

Okay, I'll bite. Why not ride them both in your size and tell us what you think about the two of them. If you like the shop and the staff is helpful, and they can get you fit reasonably well for test rides, then you're most of the way home. The choice comes down to how you feel riding the two bikes.

As for some resale consideration...meh...I wouldn't let that drive your choice. Ride what you think might work and select the one that fits the way that you'd like to ride.

When can you ride them?

Seattle Forrest

I think a lot of people will tell you that you're comparing a BMW to a Honda. To be fair, though, Trek doesn't get much love around here, and Cervelo had really good marketing a while back.

For me, resale value doesn't matter. I plan to ride mine until it's an antique, and so am I.

Pick the one that gives you the biggest smile.

Phil_gretz

Is there something about your Diamondback Podium that is holding you back? That bike should be fine, too, unless you're doing some special type of riding...

kc0bbq

All bikes depreciate pretty quickly unless they say Wright Bros. on them or something. Buy the one you think is more comfortable, or that being equal, looks cooler to you.

No reason to worry about selling it now. Both are good enough to buy to ride for the long run.

seymour1910

is that 6700 or 6800 Ultegra?

I also think if you ride both for a few miles (not just around the store, or the parking lot) you will like one over the other. I like the looks of a Cervelo over the looks of a Trek any day of the week but I would never want a good looking bike that I don't LOVE to ride. People who own Trek's love them for the comfort, performance....and other things. Best wishes on your purchase, don't forget to share a pic when you decide which way to go.

cisnal

Thanks guys. My Diamond back is 2010. The ride is not there as comfortable. In addition, when I purchased the bike I did not know about getting fit for the bike so I purchased a 58 when I am a 56.
I am going this afternoon to restest them. I rode both the Madone and the cervelo and wow what a difference compared to my 8 speed podium. I fell in love with both.

So I take in consideration the ultegra vs the 105? Also is the Madone considered Aero or semi at least to cut wind ? Thanks guys

wheelreason

I'll give you the advise I give friends and family, when I'm not on the selling floor. Ride some bikes, see which you like, make sure it fits, buy the one you like, and then ride it like its stolen. All the high modulus, torsional rigidity, aero advantage, unidirectional, nano impregnated blah, blah blah not withstanding...

kc0bbq

I do love my Madone, but, yeah, not for it's looks. It is the best feeling bike I have ever ridden.

Plus Lance rode one, and he had more Tour de France victories taken away than anyone else has ever even won.

kc0bbq

Unless you're at the very edge of ability where that little bit is the only way to improve, you won't notice any difference. A slightly loose jersey will do more damage to your aero than any savings you'd see with either.

warpdrive

The Madone is Trek’s all around race bike. It’s meant for team racing, criterium racing, has a lot of aero features and is the do-it-all road racing bike. The S2 is Cervelo’s aero bike. Trek’s highly aero bikes are their Speed Concept models which are a positioned as a triathlon bikes.

Trek stuff will never command respect because of many factors, some people just hate them as being too mainstream and the controversy behind Lance and other things that happened. And some people will always equate them to something like Toyota because they made a wide range of products catering to everybody (even though a company like Toyota makes exotic supercars). That may also affect some resale value, but I never buy something thinking about resale value unless you are sure you want to turn it around. I buy stuff with the intention of keeping it until it dies or is really obsolete, and by then, it’s not worth much by then no matter which brand.

Buy what feels right, you have to live with your bike. I have a Trek but Cervelo was high on my list. As I’m getting older, the less I care about impressing others and chose the bike that felt comfortable and fast for me. That’s what counts.

iamtim

That's funny. I may steal that.

iamtim

You know... the only place I've ever seen Trek not command respect was here on BF. *shrug*

moppeddler

just curious why you chose the Madone over the Domane? You might find the Domane more comfortable. I own one, and it is by far the best bike I have ever ridden, including some that cost a whole lot more.

warpdrive

Trek hate seems to be everywhere but here does seem especially worse. You do grow some thicker skin if you own a Trek and hang out here.

iamtim

Yeah... the only thing more skin-thickening is owning a Bikes Direct bike. ^_^

cisnal

I think the Domane is higher priced than I would like to spend at this point. I do hear the Domane is awesome but I think it isabove my budget.

RJM

Just from specs and such, the Madone seems the better. However, the two bikes could and probably will ride very differently, so I would choose what puts a smile on your face the most.

In our club, we have two guys with Cervelos and about thirty with treks. The hate certainly isn't because the bikes don't perform, it's mostly because people want to be less like everybody else.

Bah Humbug

I'm not going to bag on the Trek, but I'd go with the Cervelo. I'm biased though, obviously.

petermk

I'd go with Cervelo just to be different. Here in NYC most ride Trek, Cannondale and Specialized, so I went and bought a Wilier...

iamtim

I fall on the "get whichever feels best to you when you ride it". I think it's silly to get a bike based on brand alone; you're going to be riding it for a long time and if there was another bike of a different brand which felt better to you but you didn't get it... well, that's saying something.

dalava

For me, Cervelo for sure. Lower end Trek stuff have pretty mediocre Bontrager crapware.

caloso

I have had a Cervelo and it was an outstanding bike but it had two features that annoyed me to no end: pain in the butt internal cabling and a squeaky proprietary seatpost. Another thing that didn't matter to me but might to you is that it had a relatively short wheelbase which meant for very quick steering and toe overlap.

I've had Treks (660 and 5200), both of which were great bikes, but I cannot comment on the Madone.

Up North

Providing you can get the proper size in either bike the Trek has better group and you will not have to worry about upgrade. You might want to consider the Trek Domane as some have suggested, you can get a 4 series Domane for same $$$$ and if you like Madone ride you will LOVE Domane.

moppeddler

Just not true anymore. They have greatly improved the quality of their gear.