New Wheels or New Bike?

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Permalink Reply by Andy Stiles on September 3, 2008 at 2:52pm

When you say you got extra money to dump into the sport the question is how much? Since you are considering the Zipp 808 or 1080 I am guessing around $2500.00. The components on the standard Allez I think, and I may be wrong so many people will jump on me, are Tiagra and 105s. In my mind putting 1080 wheels on a $1200.00 bike is a little overkill, even 808s may seem so.

I just got a Cervelo P2C a few months back. I really debated between the P3C and P2C. To me the most important part of the bike was the component package that came with it as opposed to the upgrade in frames. The P2C came with the Dura-Ace package I have longed dreamed of at $2800.00 as opposed to the P3C at significantly more with a Tiagra/105 package. True you can upgrade the P3C to a Dura-Ace package, just add $1200.00 to the price tag when you do. With the P2C in hand I saved up over the summer and got the 808s for it. With my current skill level I did not feel I would improve more with the $400.00 more to purchase the 1080. That will be my gift when I finish my first 1/2 next year.

So I guess my vote is go for the bike. If you are already debating purchasing a new bike while holding the one you have just out of the box there will be issues. My first bike I was not happy with for several small petty issues, did not like the components and the color of the bike bothered me (I had a QRoo Tequilo, it was blue and white and had bubbles on it, bubbles for godsake). So I found myself nit-picking the bike to death and not riding as much as I should have been. Now with a bike I love I literally have a hard time debating which workout I should do, finding the bike has moved to the top of my list.

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Permalink Reply by Carlos on September 3, 2008 at 5:39pm

Thanks for the reply... I actually have considered upgrading the components but to be honest, the 105's are AWESOME! They are super responsive, I keep them nice and clean and tuned and they respond when I need them to... Not sure if the $1200 upgrade would be worth the 478g (about a pound)... I'm not an elite athlete and for me to lose a pound, is not a lot of work.

The reason I mention the wheels is due to the reduced rolling resistance (20mm tires vs. 23mm), higher PSI, less wind friction... I believe friction/wind resistance is where you can make up more time...

I will check out the P2C though... didn't really give it much thought.

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Permalink Reply by Andy Stiles on September 4, 2008 at 10:08pm

I hear you about the wheels. I agree the amount of roll you get will be great. It is just hard trying to picture $2500.00 wheels on a $1200.00 bike. I just remember when my mind started thinking about getting a new bike that it was only a new bike that was going to give me the fix I needed. In either case I think you are in a win situation. With the P2C I am still amazed by how much bike and the components you get with the price.

Good luck on your decision and honestly any decision that keeps you looking forward to getting home or waking up early to hop in the saddle is a good one.

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Permalink Reply by Carlos on September 4, 2008 at 10:39pm

I know what you mean... It's like having spinning rims on a Chevy Nova or like those guys who have bluetooth headsets but ride the city bus...

I did check out the P2 vs. the P3 and it comes down to fit... Read an article that mentioned that some people fit better on a P2 and could perform better on the P2 than the P3... solely based on fit... So when the time comes, hopefully I'm a perfect candidate for the P2... That will be an easier ride to "pimp" than my current bike

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Permalink Reply by Kristian Fesel on September 10, 2008 at 4:37am

I personally would go for a whole new bike and then maybe look at a cheaper set of deep section rims. You ride your bike almost every day but only use the rims at races? I have a set of Corima wheels that I use maybe 4 times a year. If you want value for money rather buy something you will use more frequently.

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Permalink Reply by Cornee van Loon on September 13, 2008 at 8:31am

I would say go for the bike. The bike is all about the right fit. That is the most important. The zipps look great, but are very expensive. I think a set of those wheels is an extra, only when you can afford it. The wheels you buy with the cervelo won't be that bad that you can't use them. The wheels will be all right.
And most people I know don't use the zipps in training. They use them in races and maybe 1 or 2 trainings before the race.

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Permalink Reply by Jonathan Rice on September 19, 2008 at 4:45pm

not be the broken record, but "new bike". If you've got the money go test every bike under the sun. 105 is great. I said I'd never get rid of my 105, until I got on a full ultegra specialized tarmac. Keep the Alez for the miles in the trainer this winter and pick up an end of the year sale on something that makes you drool when you look at it.

for $2500 you should go get on a specialized tarmac or roubiax, I think you'll like it.

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Permalink Reply by Peter on September 28, 2008 at 1:17pm

hey carlos, if you can cycle faster than 35km/h get yourself Zipps 808, otherwise they only look nice.... if you look at www. williams-weels.com you will find great rimms...

if you want a new frame, cervelo P3C, great frame, but in fashion wright now, so more expensive, specialized transition pro, black, is what i ride, very close to the cervelo, i think better....

good luck with your training

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Permalink Reply by James Rudd on September 29, 2008 at 1:54pm

I'd recommend purchasing a new bike, having it professionally fit. Assuming you've only got a couple A races throughout the year, purchasing a set of $2,000 wheels to use a few times a year is a big investment. I think renting wheels as required is financially beneficial and you'll always have cutting edge equipment. Check out: www.racewheelrental.com or www.racedaywheels.com

PS: Get the new Cervelo P4! Its sweeet! :)

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Permalink Reply by Michael Wold-Steele on October 1, 2008 at 4:47pm

I agree with Andy get the components that you want first. I am a Campy Junky and went with Campy Record Carbon components on a frame, then added the frame I wanted a Look 496 Tri and then wheels. I actually went with HED 90 Stingers for a couple of years and just bought a Sub9 and 1080. While the wheels make a small difference, the bike and components make a huge difference as you put tons of miles on want to feel comfortable. I had a professional fitting done also and it has made a world of difference.

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Permalink Reply by Dwight Upshaw on October 15, 2008 at 3:16pm

Definitely go for the new bike. My suggestion would be to go to a bike fitter, not necessarily a bike shop and pay him to take your measurments and find the ideal bike for you. Fit in my mind is probably the most overlooked component of buying a bike. A lot of people will be a lot faster on a less high end bike if it fits better than the high end bike. Then build the bike around what your fit is. This way you can buy all the components seperately so they match you. Like crank arm length, stem length. What aerobars feel best to you. If you can. This might take a little bit of time, but you don't need the bike till spring anyway. A well fitted bike that lets you stay in the aero position for hours on end is the best possible way to go. Wheels are like gravy....it tastes good, but doesn't add all that much to the meal

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Permalink Reply by Joe_h on October 16, 2008 at 11:31am

got aerobars and good fitting to the allez? think those are best value. for wheels it may matter what type of course you're riding -i.e. a disk won't help much on a course w/ crosswinds or hills. but then again you can never have too many bikes ;)

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