Newbikeshopper (intro & opinion request)

[NewBikeShopper]

Hello Forum, nice to virtually meet everyone,

My bike was stolen last week (pics attached, Ultegra setup), it was an older ride but many hours in the saddle and personal customizations make it difficult to let go.

I’m trying to replace it as soon as possible, hard to do with everything out of stock due to the pandemic, opinions & recommendations are greatly appreciated (so far narrowed it down to 3 frame options below):

I ride roughly 150-200 miles a week, weekdays are flats and weekends are climbs. I’m 5’11” with a slightly larger torso and as I’ve gotten older my setup is less aero than it used to be. My approach is to research a ton, invest wisely in the best, take very good care of it and keep for 10+ years.

Here’s the rub, I’ve tested the Emonda and I can ride away with it this weekend (from a shop I've never worked with before). Because of the industry’s supply & demand issues, the Pinarello and Colnago are anywhere from 4-8 months wait (from a shop owner I've trusted for years), however, he doesn't have anything in my size right now to test ride and I’ve never been on an Italian frame before.

- Trek Emonda SLR OCLV 800 (size 56)
- Pinarello Dogma F12 (size 54)
- Colgnago C64 (size TBD)

And since I've been away from the technology for so long:

- Carbon Wheelset recommendations?
- Dura Ace or Ultegra to save a few bucks?
- Disc or Rim brakes?
- Tubeless or Clinchers?
- Tire Width?
- SpeedPlay or Shimano pedals?


Thank you in advance!

 

[cyclintom]

My suggestions - the Trek is by far the most reliable ride. You couldn't GIVE me an Italian made Colnago although their Taiwanese models are very well constructed with very high quality control. That's one in my picture.

People say that deep carbon wheels are sensitive to side winds. Not that I have noticed. They appear to be no worse than normal box wheels. Ultegra is just as good and reliable as Dura Ace - it is just a bit heavier.

CLINCHERS ONLY and CLINCHER RIMS ONLY. I used tubeless for about three years and discovered that they are more trouble than they are worth for modern high end tires. I buy Chinese carbon deep rims with aluminum braking surfaces similar to the Campagnolo Bora but 1/5th the price. Slightly heavier but who cares?

I personally don't like disks, that may be an opinion but I think that it is backed up because it is so easy to overbrake and slide out with hydraulic disks. Since I don't ride a commuter in the rain I don't have to worry about disks clearing their braking surface more rapidly than a rim brake. And I never had a problem with that anyway.

There are only two types of pedal that I have never had a failure with. Look Keo and Shimano SpD SL. My foot pulled out of a Speedplay and went in the spokes. Enough of that.