Originally Posted by
Sunnyrider56
Is it worth spending on a nice frame alone (north of $4000), considering obsolescence and crashes/theft?
Would it be a better "investment" to spend some of that on travel or other gear to make the riding more enjoyable (clothing, groupset or IGH/Pinion, wheels, computer, etc) and a less-expensive frame, assuming geo was right?
If you're intending to ride a bike every day until it breaks, how much could you justify spending on any single bicycle?
Unless you're changing from hi-ten steel to something lighter, a new frame is probably the upgrade you're least likely to notice, second only to switching to ceramic bearings. If you want to make your bike nicer to ride, wheels are always a good investment if you go more aero and a bit lighter, and so are nicer components. More reliable & precise shifting, better braking, and a nicer feeling saddle are things you will notice on literally every ride you take on your upgraded bike. It's doubtful that anyone would notice the change to a more "laterally stiff yet vertically compliant" frame, but anyone can tell if the saddle sucks or not.