Just a quick question:

[Robocop719]

So I'm another new time, new to biking, bike purchaser with small funds. I've got about $400 to spend, tops. From what I've seen on the used market, I can either go for a newer bike, with Sora/Tiagra parts, or go for an older 80's ish bike with 105/600 parts. Now which one of these would give me a better bang for the buck? Higher end, older parts, or newer, lower end parts?

 

[jhuskey]

Consider if old parts wear out they are generally not replaceable since they are not made anymore and you are stuck upgrading for compatible new stuff.

 

[kdelong]

Funny thing about older parts is that the 105 of five or 6 years ago, with almost no changes, is now sold as todays Tiagra. But going back to a 1980s bike is pushing it a little. I like restoring high end performance bikes of that era and I can attest to the fact that there are certain things that just don't exist anymore.