Jake6879

Hi all, I'm looking for a solid first road bike and I'm considering purchasing a 2010 Trek 1.1 ($350) and a barely ridden 2013 Diamondback Podium 3 ($500) and swapping all the best parts to make a 1.1 with 105 components and sell the second bike for around ($300). Any thoughts? Is the 1.1 frame worth it at all? or should I consider just getting the Dback for awhile and waiting for a nice Allez to come up in the fall? I'm comfortable doing a lot of the work and I have a friend who can help me where I need pointers and special tools. Bottom line, is a 105 equipped 1.1 any better than a podium 3 and is it going to be worth the $500 I'd have in it?

buffalowings

Why not just ride the Podium 3, it's a fine bike and comparable to the trek.

Jake6879

I was under the impression the Podium frame was inferior to the Trek. Keep in mind, I'm a newbie to road bikes and really only know what I read online so its hard to decipher what's true and what's being said by brand snobs. If they are fairly comparable I may do that. Another point though was I've heard a lot of negative feedback on the wheels and would keep the wheelset from the 1.1 if I bought both.

buffalowings

I think the frame is just a bit heavier, but the difference isn't huge.

Jake6879

I'm planning to go ride the Podium 3 on Saturday and will probably pick it up. My LBS put me on a 56cm when I was looking at an Allez but the guy who does the fitting wasn't there to ask about proper sizing. I'm 5'11 with a 31.25" inseam (barefoot, book in crotch). What should I be looking for or feeling for proper fit? I'll still get a proper fit done at the LBS. I'm just concerned about getting the correct frame size at this point. Coming from a mtb, I'll probably ride on the hoods for a while sitting somewhat upright before getting used to riding in the drops. Losing some weight will help me there as well.

buffalowings

A 56cm frame sounds right, that or 58. 54 is probably definitely too small.

Jake6879

Thanks for your answers. I haven't sat on a 58cm frame yet but I have been looking at them as well. Do you think I am better off to err on the smaller size or the bigger size?

cashmonee

To be honest, I would think you would be wasting time and money doing all that swapping for little gain. I don't know much about the Podium, but the Trek is their most basic option, and really doesn't warrant upgrading. Not to say that either is a bad bike, both are good, but the money you would using for the upgrade would be better spent on things such as good bibs, jerseys, flat kit, gloves, shoes, pedals, etc.

Personally, I would go one of two ways. You could save for the bike you really want (the Allez). If that would take too long, then I would go for the Trek. That way you have more money for the necessities I mentioned, and if you get another bike in 6 months you won't feel like you have sunk money into your current ride. I would not buy any of these bike with the intention of selling them. In my area, bikes like these do not sell very well on the 2nd hand market.

Being a beginner, I would try to find a good shop that will listen to your needs and be willing to help. It seems rather clear you do not know what size you are, and don't know which bike is most comfortable for you. That can be a bad combo when looking for a second hand bike. The $850 you plan to spend on those two bikes should easily get you an entry level road bike at an LBS that you know is comfortable, fits, and has a warranty. Plus if it is a good shop, you could end up with a bunch of new riding buddies!

nastystang

Personally I would get the Podium 3 and be done with it. 105 and carbon fork. It's not going to be super light but the Trek won't be either. I could be wrong but I do not believe the Trek to have a carbon fork. Maybe a 2.x series Trek would be a better frame but this is pretty much a wash in my book. Newer Podium hardly ridden for the win. I would save for better wheels, the wheels on either bike are nothing special and hardly an upgrade over the other set.

Daytrip

Well, which is it?

Jake6879

Finding the money, in and of itself, isn't necessarily a problem. I just tend to seek out the best value. If I can get pretty much what I want and save a few hundred dollars, it's a win-win for me. I won't say I'm a cheapskate, I appreciate nice things, I just don't like paying full price for them..

The seller is supposed to let me know tonight if the Podium 3 is still available. I've seen a few ~2006 Allez(s?) for sale for $600-700 but they have been 58cm frames. As was mentioned, I haven't had a fit done. The LBS put me on a 56 but it wasn't an official fit or anything. If I can save $200 or more buying a nice used bike, I'll feel a lot better putting that towards a fit. Speaking of which, do I even need a full fit done at $175 or is the basic $75 fit all I really need at this point?

cashmonee

There is a difference between a pro fit and being put on the right size bike. Any decent LBS will get you set up on the right size bike as part of the sale. A pro fit takes things much further and may or may not really help/be necessary.

Also, keep in mind that the $200 savings does come at a price. You will get no warranty and little support without paying for it. This may not be a huge issue if you are an able bike mechanic. Even then, if a frame fails (unlikely, but possible), or you have trouble with maintenance, you could be ringing up a bill higher than $200. Not saying used is bad, but you really need to know what you are looking at and how to deal with anything that comes up. Most beginners are not in that kind of position.

I also would not pay $6-700 for a 7, almost 8 year old non-vintage bike. If it were me and I were a beginner, and I could afford it, I would really try to find a good LBS that will help get me into a bike that will suit my needs and support me. Not every town has an LBS like that, but it is the ideal situation.

Almost forgot, don't get hung on the component names. Anything that the big 3 put out these days is going to perform well. Even the newest Sora looks pretty decent, and Tiagra is about level with 105 at the moment. So don't let the name on the derailleur sway you too much.

Sidney Porter

You have the cart before the horse. A true fitting in the $200 should be done before you buy a bike. Here is a like to one of the bike stores near me. The fitting is $175 ($100 rebate if you buy a bike from them). It isn't even done on a bike but rather this machine that that has movable parts. Based upon that they can then match you up with a frame that matches that geometry. You then test ride the different brands.
https://www.tritechmultisport.com/services.htm

As far as putting eyeballing you and putting you on a bike and adjusting it. That should be free and anyone in a bike store should be able to do that. Most of the posters here could also do it.

ancker

Look around for a pull-off group.
My first road bike was a Trek 1.2 with Sora/2300. Once I got the Giant TCR Composite, I relegated the Trek to rollers/trainer duty. Then I got a powertap and wanted to have power during indoor training.
I got lucky when a guy at my LBS was selling a complete 105-5700 group as a pull-off for _CHEAP_. Now my Trek is 105s with 10-speed.
I like my Trek well enough that I ride it outdoors every so often and enjoy it. I even put aero-bars on it for my local weekly TT.

cafzali

You are correct. That Trek model does not have a carbon fork. To get a carbon fork, you have to go with a 1.5.

cafzali

Lots of folks say this and while it's not really false info, it's not something most need to invest in either. Most bike shops will be able to adjust fit for you at the point of sale to the point that it will work for you. I've got a wide range of bikes and have never had a true professional fit for any of them, even my TCR.

lenny866

DB has been trying to re-enter the road bike market and has been offering some great bikes for the $$.

If you can get a DB Pod 3 for $500.....$200 more than the trek. I d go with that. It is a far better bike package than the trek. 105s vs 2300 alone is worth the difference. Add in a Carbon fork and BB30 bottom bracket, IMO no brainer. I would upgrade the wheels and brakes and you'll have a worthy road bike. In the future, If you wanted to upgrade the frame, 105s are worth transferring to another frame.

Don't buy anything, until you know your size!!

buffalowings

The Diamondback frame isn't bad per say, just slightly more material then comparable makes (from my observation: the tubing sounds like thicker gauge, and there is less forming or butting, so overall it has more metal.

Jake6879

Well, it turns out the Diamondback was sold last night. I live 2 hours from the seller so I couldn't get there until the weekend. I did stop by an LBS that sells Scott today and rode a few miles on a 56cm Speedster 30 for $1000. Bike felt good. I asked him to true the front wheel while I stopped somewhere for lunch and I'd let him know if I wanted it this afternoon. Any thoughts on the Speedster 30? It looks like a solid setup though it is a bit more than I wanted to spend I do like the shop and the bike seems as good or better than I would get anywhere else for the same money. The LBS is also right off the paved path I've been riding during the week so I know I can always stop in if I need something adjusted.

lenny866

$500 for that bike in 2013 is a good deal. I am sorry to hear that you missed it. Just know that prices will start to drop as the new models come out in the fall.

I am curious how you came to that conclusion. Both the DB Pod 3 and Trek 2.1 weigh around the same (20.5 lbs). Both are similarly equipped with 105s. If it is a heavier frame than I am wrong, but it looks to be about the same as others.

Jake6879

I hope you guys feel good about the Scott Speedster 30 because I'm on my way to pick it up now.. I have a ride tomorrow and what better way to try it out.

lenny866

Good bike!