Noob Cyclist

I am not the biggest stickler over componets etc. I mean, I won't take 'crappy' componets, but I won't freak out if it isn't dura-ace etc.

Nice to have you back into the cycling world. From reading your post though, my only concern/comment is that you seem to worried about the bike. Yes, it does matter some, but try to focus more on your riding skills and getting better with what you have.

If you are going to get seriously into racing, then, maybe the upgrades are needed. but, have you raced yet? Maybe you will do fine with what you have.

Good luck!

Why not explore buying a new bike with the frame/groupo/etc. you really want, and selling your trek on ebay? Going the upgrade route, given all of the things you mention not liking about your current ride, is probably going to cost more and be pretty time-consuming to boot.

Agree with the other poster. Wait to purchase new components/frame. Ride and race for the rest of the year (and why not, into the next) with your current bike.

By the you will know if you enjoy it and want to continue racing, and then you can go crazy shopping!

Welcome back!

let me add a perspective that is frequently lost on this forum:

the true "joy" of cycling is actually doing just that - cycling. 😄

setting inside admiring your components pales in comparsion. 🙄

unless you actually delevop into a racer for hire, the ratio of riding to racing will lean heavily to the riding side. sure, its nice to have a "good" bike, and any dollars spent that actually add to your comfort and enjoyment of cycling are a good investment IMHO. i find that i spend more time than is necessary thinking about the bike and parts and stuff, and would like to win the lottery and go out and buy what i perceive to be the best bike and parts. but, honestly, it is the actual riding that gives me the greater enjoyment. a nice road on a good day is indeed the part that means the most to me, and its very infrequent that i actually find myself thinking about the bike or the components during the actual ride (with the exception of flats!).

it just seems to me that we tend to get too hung-up on the equipment. 🙁

when you were 8 years old, it was just about getting outside and riding!

im trying to return to the joy of childhood. as martha says: its a good thing! 🙂

Powerful Pete said:

Agree with the other poster. Wait to purchase new components/frame. Ride and race for the rest of the year (and why not, into the next) with your current bike.

By the you will know if you enjoy it and want to continue racing, and then you can go crazy shopping!

Welcome back!

I'd venture to say it's a toss up....depends how fast you want to make the upgrades. There are good deals to be had out there. I just got done buying new components to my frame (I bought it w/o the old drivetrain) and with a little patience and some research I was able to get new Ultegra components at near 105 prices...so....if you really like your current frame and are comfortable buying one piece here and there....it might be a way for you to go.

Ride on!

Have enough cash? Buy a new bike, keep the Trek as a beater or foul weather ride.

Don't have much cash? Buy a new bike, sell the Trek.

Don't have any cash? Just go ride the Trek.

Bike manufacturers can spec a new bike at the 105 or Ultegra level that makes replacing the group on your Trek cost prohibitive. There are so many different parts to replace that it just doesn't make sense. A couple of component swaps here and there won't do much for an entry level bike.

Also, having a heavier bike to train with on occassion is not a bad idea. I took my heavy Raleigh Tiagra/105 out one day because of the rain and the next day when I got on my DA Klein it sure felt much faster when I did my group race/ride.

If you want to boost the performance of your bike without wasting a lot of money, try a set of aero wheels. They can be moved to a better bike later on if you want to upgrade the bike, so you aren't throwing money away.

I would recommend a set of the older Rolf Vector Pro wheels, they're about the most cost effective wheelset you can buy. Rugged, light, very low spoke count, aero rim, and $250 will get you a nice set on ebay. I've had my Rolfs for two years, have yet to have them trued in all that time.

Cheers for the advice. I think personally I'll hang onto the bike for the next year. Major purchases (I'm a student still) will be a turbo for the winter (AND I'm in Aberdeen) and perhaps some new forks, but long term, I may flog it on ebay after a year for a bottom of the range true racing bike. (I'm keeping my pedals. Dura-Ace is too expensive to throw out). Right now, my mantra is train train train, and the bike is good for that. I time trial on it too, but if you are putting in immense effort, you can really feel some vibration through the rear (I'm no expert here.. The rear triangle... Chainstay?). So I'd prefer some better stuff.

I love cycling, and only now I'm kicking myself for not switching from mountain bikes to road bikes earlier.

Honest989 said:

I love cycling, and only now I'm kicking myself for not switching from mountain bikes to road bikes earlier.

Whoa, keep some love for mountain bikes... One needs both, kind of like ying and yang

TheDL said:

I'd venture to say it's a toss up....depends how fast you want to make the upgrades. There are good deals to be had out there. I just got done buying new components to my frame (I bought it w/o the old drivetrain) and with a little patience and some research I was able to get new Ultegra components at near 105 prices...so....if you really like your current frame and are comfortable buying one piece here and there....it might be a way for you to go.

Ride on!

Thats what i have done with mine... my old bike took nearly 8yrs to build it how i like, the second took me a few months, my new one took me a few weeks since i was slightly better off. thanks to ebay,wiggle and edinburgh cycles....