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Should I bother upgrading or just save up and purchase a newer bike?

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Should I bother upgrading or just save up and purchase a newer bike?

Old 09-15-14, 07:50 PM
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Should I bother upgrading or just save up and purchase a newer bike?

Like the title says.
I have a 2013 felt f6. Its a full carbon sram apex groupset.
I really want to upgrade the wheelset and the crankset and eventually upgrade the whole groupset to SRAM Force/Rival.

So my question is should i invest in this bike (since the frame isnt the best) but I am just a casual rider. I ride about 200-250 miles a week.

Also if you guys have any suggestions on wheelsets that are durable and not crazy expensive. Im 6'3" 200lbs so I need a sturdy wheel.
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Old 09-15-14, 07:54 PM
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Originally Posted by curtis72
Like the title says.
I have a 2013 felt f6. Its a full carbon sram apex groupset.
I really want to upgrade the wheelset and the crankset and eventually upgrade the whole groupset to SRAM Force/Rival.

So my question is should i invest in this bike (since the frame isnt the best) ... .

Unless the frame feels like it was molded by the heavens and sent down from above just to you ... get a new bike with your desired groupset.
A perfect feeling frame is usually the only real reason not to upgrade to a newer bike. Keep the current one for sentimental reasons if your heart so desires.

In terms of wheelsets it'll depend on what you're looking for in terms of use as almost all are rather durable under normal use.
Aero, climbing, spoke count, carbon v aluminum or a mix, stiffness, clincher/tubular ... save this for after the new bike.

Last edited by SevenTwentyNine; 09-15-14 at 08:03 PM.
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Old 09-15-14, 07:58 PM
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Originally Posted by SevenTwentyNine
So my question is should i invest in this bike (since the frame isnt the best) ....


Unless the frame feels like it was molded by the heavens and sent down from above just to you ... get a new bike with your desired groupset.
A perfect feeling frame is usually the only real reason to upgrade instead of getting a new bike.
Maybe I'm reading that reply wrong, but that sounds a little confusing. You're suggesting he get a new bike or no?? (Perfect frames are quite hard to find. Road bikes are most often a great many compromises manipulated to the best of one's ability to make for a bike that fits one as well as can be done)

That said.....I'd keep that bike and crankset and find some better wheels if you just HAVE to buy something. (That frame's fine).

The rest is in the engine!!!
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Old 09-15-14, 08:00 PM
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What do you not like about this bike currently?
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Old 09-15-14, 08:01 PM
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Yeah sorry there was a typo ... I edited it to fix this.
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Old 09-15-14, 08:06 PM
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Originally Posted by SevenTwentyNine
Unless the frame feels like it was molded by the heavens and sent down from above just to you ... get a new bike with your desired groupset.
A perfect feeling frame is usually the only real reason to upgrade instead of getting a new bike. Keep the current one for sentimental reasons if your heart so desires.

In terms of wheelsets it'll depend on what you're looking for in terms of use as almost all are rather durable under normal use.
Aero, climbing, spoke count, carbon v aluminum or a mix, stiffness, clincher/tubular ... save this for after the new bike.
You have a point.

Originally Posted by loimpact
Maybe I'm reading that reply wrong, but that sounds a little confusing. You're suggesting he get a new bike or no?? (Perfect frames are quite hard to find. Road bikes are most often a great many compromises manipulated to the best of one's ability to make for a bike that fits one as well as can be done)

That said.....I'd keep that bike and crankset and find some better wheels if you just HAVE to buy something. (That frame's fine).

The rest is in the engine!!!
Thanks. Yeah maybe I just see all the fancy bikes on the trails and it just makes me want to upgrade mine.
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Old 09-15-14, 09:48 PM
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I bet you that if I saw you riding your bike on the trails I'd say "Wow, what a nice bike. He must enjoy riding it."

That's the thing about hardware, there are so many nicer bikes out there.
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Old 09-15-14, 09:59 PM
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Apex is a great groupset. I went from Apex on my old bike to Rival on my new bike. Both shift flawlessly and I really don't notice a difference between the two other than my old cassette was 11-32 and now I have 11-28. You will notice a difference if you are dropping significant weight on your wheels/tires. I would say if you like the bike, just upgrade your wheels and tires. Look for a good deal.
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Old 09-15-14, 10:15 PM
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Old 09-16-14, 08:35 AM
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Use it up and wear it out......
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Old 09-16-14, 08:52 AM
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I did not know that the F6 was still made in 2013, but for the 2012 model, the 6 had the same frame as the 5, 4, and I am fairly sure the 3. The 2 had its own frame, and the 1 had its own frame. So it is the components and wheels that made it the lowest entry, and not the frame.

If you like it, it fits, and it isn't broken, keep it and ride it. If you hanker to upgrade, do wheels first, as they are portable even if you decide on a different bike. For $600 or less (in some cases much less), you can get a quality aluminum rimmed wheel with nice hubs which should feel like an improvement over stock.
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