Originally Posted by
sced
Get the cheaper one. The way I think about bike weight is riding a heavier bike makes me stronger and lighter - truly.
Nope, a heavier bike just means you'll be going slower, especially on your ascents. The heavier weight of a bike doesn't dictate how much stronger you'll get while riding it, nor how much weight you'll lose, your power output will dictate that, regardless of the bike's weight.
Last week I did a solo ride to the top of the 3rd highest auto road in the world (Mt Evans in Colorado). I could've taken my lightest bike, but took the heavier endurance bike instead (and left the aero bars attached too). I took it because it was the most comfortable, weight had little to do with my choice. Now...if I were trying to keep up with others who I knew were riding their lightest bikes, my choice may have been different.