Decisions decisions dilema dilema your thoughts.....

[Fifelad]

Going to upgrade to a bit of carbon bling with a new road bike this year. One of my local LBS has been good to me and he sells Cubes that look terrific value for money. He also said he would give me discount if I paid by cash. I am also scanning ebay gumtree etc for bargains. One has caught my eye on gumtree where the seller obviously has more money than sense and is selling a full carbon Specialised for a great price which also has Dura ace components, top end stuff ! However ,here's the dilema; I dont race but Dura ace would be just fabby to have but replacing the components would be very costly, however, I could replace components with say ultegra in the future, but then what would be the point in getting the high end Dura ace in the first place ? buying private and in the unlikely event of the the frame cracking no warranty, no come back...Buying a brand new bike you know all components are new from the start, and in my case Tiagra or Ultegra would more than suffice. The upshot is new bike Cube from LBS with Tiagra or Ultegra £1100-£1400 or private sale with Specialised Dura Ace for £800. PS not gone to see private bike yet bt looks pretty minted. What would you do ?? lol

 

[Roadrider48]

At least have a look! Nothing ventured and all that....

 

[MrGrumpy]

Defo have a look at the private one at that price, seems very cheap but could be quite old. As for replacing components, if it going to be a weekend only bike you won`t replace stuff often. If for a commuter then cassettes and chains could replaced with cheaper stuff, the rest of the gear will last if looked after. Oh and hi from a fellow Fifer as well

 

[Fifelad]

Defo have a look at the private one at that price, seems very cheap but could be quite old. As for replacing components, if it going to be a weekend only bike you won`t replace stuff often. If for a commuter then cassettes and chains could replaced with cheaper stuff, the rest of the gear will last if looked after. Oh and hi from a fellow Fifer as well

Hello fellow Fifer you will appreciate the impotance of good value then

 

[Andrew_Culture]

£800!!!

I'd bite his arm off!

 

[Dave 123]

Go for the Cube.
That's what the cool kids ride.......

 

[Venod]

Go for the Cube and send me a private link to the Specialized Ad.

 

[fossyant]

Dura Ace wont wear out fast. You can always use lower spec cassettes

 

[smokeysmoo]

FWIW I'd never buy second hand carbon, just saying

As for DA, the newer stuff isn't a patch on the older gear IMO, but that said I've been running DA7900 for a number of years now and I can't imagine I'll need to change any of it for years to come

 

[400bhp]

Dura Ace wont wear out fast. You can always use lower spec cassettes

Aye, the only bits that really wear out are the chain and cassette. I doubt the chain is anything special anyway.

 

[400bhp]

FWIW I'd never buy second hand carbon, just saying

I think I'd really struggle to do so too, unless I knew the seller.

 

[Fifelad]

FWIW I'd never buy second hand carbon, just saying

As for DA, the newer stuff isn't a patch on the older gear IMO, but that said I've been running DA7900 for a number of years now and I can't imagine I'll need to change any of it for years to come

Any reason for your concern about second hand carbon bike ?

 

[vickster]

Irreparable and invisible Damage if it's been in an accident which could lead to the frame being highly unsafe

Ask for receipts and proof of ownership if you do proceed

 

[Andrew_Culture]

Just to back up the Dura Ace comments I have Dura Ace crank arm and rear durrelier but steel rings on the crankset and a cheap cassette, it all still changes just lovely!

 

[jayonabike]

I have Dura Ace (I don't race, if you like it go for it) on one of my bikes for almost 2 years now. So far all I have had to replace is the chain....