Originally Posted by
TMonk
Thanks for the pro-tips @
carleton. I think I will park my new frame pipe dreams for now and keep my eyes peeled for a special deal or save for a 50.1. With new wheels and bars my bike should feel a bit different anyways.
-Tmonk
I say budget at least $2,000 a top tier frame used or new and be ready to hop on a deal when it shows up. I got by TK FRD for near half of MSRP on EBay from a guy who flips equipment for sponsored athletes who get them for free. The bike wasn't "new". It was used in a bike fit and the athlete chose the smaller size and sold the one I got. I got my IO/Comete wheelset used for more than half off of MSRP from a guy who was getting out of the game.
Unfortunately, there is a lot of waiting and luck involved in the whole process of getting a smoking deal. But, they are out there.