Buy higher spec, or buy & upgrade lower spec bike?

[mattobrien]

Afternoon All,

I am currently toying with my next bike purchase and trying to decide what would be the best route to take.

I currently have a Spesh Allez Sport with Ksyrium Elites and a Romin Expert saddle, everything else is as standard.

I quite fancy getting a carbon frame and have been considering a Spesh Tarmac and herein lies my dilemma, for which I am after some advice.

Looking at the base model Tarmac it comes with Tiagra Group set and is currently advertised at £1,400 with many retailers.

The Tarmac Comp, has a better spec, including mixed 105 / Ultegra group set, a carbon seat post and better wheels. It is currently retailed at £2,200, so a difference of £800.

I have been trying to work out if there are any con's to buying the base spec Tarmac and then upgrading the components?

Having looked online, it appears that I could get an Ultegra group set for £550, which if added to the base model cost, would bring in a full Ultegra Tarmac at £1,950. I would want to use My Ksyrium wheels anyway, so in theory I could have a better spec bike for £250 less.

I could also then put the Tiagra group set from the Tarmac on my Allez to replace the current Sora group set, along with the Tarmac wheels, so my 'winter bike' could have an upgrade too.

I wanted to ask the flaws in this plan, for advice on how to proceed or anything else I should be considering.

Many thanks in advance for any help or guidance.

Matt

 

[smokeysmoo]

Why limit your options to just Specialized? If that's what you want then fair enoughski, but IME you'll get better VFM from companies like Cube and Focus.

 

[GrumpyGregry]

If the base model uses the same frame as the high end one it is sometimes a good bet. Otherwise it is a false economy.

 

[MacB]

If the base model uses the same frame as the high end one it is sometimes a good bet. Otherwise it is a false economy.

This, if you're looking at a long term bike then the best frame for the £s would be my priority.

 

[accountantpete]

Just buy a frame and move the stuff you have over.

http://www.mailordercycles.com/m2b1...ks_Tarmac_SL3_Frameset_Astana_2011/RS_GB/8053

Then upgrade at your leisure.

 

[Albert]

Frame is the most important thing. Sora and above all work well and are reliable. I have, on different bikes, Sora, Tiagra, 105 and Ultegra and the differences in shifting are minimal to be honest. I have Sora on an old alloy Focus that is still spot on after 2500 miles.
Buy a bike with a great frame and then you might find making it an ongoing project can be a lot of fun.
Upgrade wheels, tyres first.
Keep an eye on eBay and you will from time to time find upgrade bargains, such as WCS or Thomson stems, posts etc, going for silly prices. Similarly shops sell off last years groupsets at huge reductions from time to time.

 

[Sore Thumb]

Or you could buy a frame only and then buy a full group set of your choice at a reduced cost online and build up the bike yourself.

If you can't do some items yourself like installing the headset you could get a lbs to do this for you for about £10.

You can then save money by not having to buy wheels as you can use your old ones.

Then you get all the parts you want first time round and no need to keep on upgrading components. You will be happier and it will save you money in the long term.