tankist

I have carbon Bianchi Infinito for $5k and Titanium Motobecane bought online for just $2.7k. The Ti beats carbon in comfort and reliability easily. Right now you can get Ti with Etap for $4k from bikesdirect:

https://www.bikesdirect.com/products/...road-bikes.htm

eja_ bottecchia

When I bought my C60 I had the option to get Campa electronic.

The C60 was a bit past the $5K pricepoint. I chose mechanical over electronic shifting.

I guess I am a Luddite at heart.

Different strokes for different folks.

Seattle Forrest

​​​​​​Some days the carbon bike just won't start?

tankist

Worse. I had an embarrassing fall while climbing a too steep street. I lost my balance because I was going too slow. Nothing serious - I got a couple of bruises on my elbow and hip. But somehow the top tube cracked.

I also had a worse fall on Ti when I was going fast and did not notice a bump on a trail in deep shadow. I got nice scars but the Ti frame just shrugged off the impact.

From these two samples I made the profound conclusion

2manybikes

How is battery function below freezing, around 20F ?

CarloM

According to page 6 of the operating manual: https://si.shimano.com/pdfs/dm/DM-AL0001-11-ENG.pdf

-10C = 14F. So you don't have much leeway between 20F and 14F for the official supported operating temperature. And they recommend charging at 32F and above...so if you keep your bikes in a garage at below-freezing temps and try to charge it there...no bueno according to Shimano.

2manybikes

I wonder if any users have actually tried it ?

Seattle Forrest

If it's 20F I'd rather be skiing.

2manybikes

I like skiing, but - Food, gas, driving, lift tickets.
Riding in the snow starts at my garage door. I get a few years out one set of studded tires. Or road tires, in just cold.

Ogsarg

Thanks for all the suggestions. Today I put a deposit on a 2019 Spec Roubaix Comp DI2. At almost a grand less than a 2020 model, it was too good a deal to pass on. It's being shipped from their warehouse and with the holidays it may take a while to get here so something to look forward to.

Fox Farm

If I could be the alternative voice of reason, go mechanical and put some great and "expensive" wheels on the bike rather than electronics. I ride an Orbea Orca mechanical (Campy) with great wheels. Electronic, particularly if you are not racing, is not necessary, in my opinion...

bpcyclist

I made the tragic mistake of going to REI today and while I was waiting for my bike, I checked out the skis and boots. I had no idea how expensive skiing had become. The skis I liked were about $900 and the boots, about $800. Yikes. I thought cycling was expensive.

Chi_Z

does the 2019 roubaix comes with future-shock 2.0 with hydraulic damping?

Steve B.

Yup. I’ve 2 buddies who are die-hard skiers, go to Vail or some such every year. They buy skis and boots every 3-5 years or so but balk at new bikes. I pointed out that they bike likely twice as many days in a year, maybe more than that. I get out 120-150 days a year so replacing old bikes with new is a lot less money than doing ski trips.

akeelor

I'm really enjoying mine!

Ogsarg

Nope. It has the 1.5 version. Not sure about 2019 but for 2020 you have to move up to the expert to get the 2.0 version so over $5k.

Cypress

I tried DI2 when it first came out and I wasn't impressed enough to replace it after a crash that broke the RD and shifters. This was back when the RD alone was $400 and the shifters were another heap of cash that I couldn't justify. My wires also worked their way out of their ports on super rough roads, which I'm sure has been addressed in current generations. I'm not a fan of having to bolt/ziptie stuff like junction boxes or errant wires to my bike. I also hated having one more thing that needed charging every so often. I'm sure someone will pipe in with a "those aren't problems/hasn't happened to me" post, but it's hard to shake my past experiences on a machine that I have to trust implicitly to get me home/to the finish line.

Given my sorted history with DI2, the bike that's being built for me right now is going to be mechanical Ultegra with hydraulic disc brakes in order to get the better wheels.

Steve B.

Theres a post here on the Road forum (it should have been in Touring), guy found a deal on a complete Di2 system for $200, wants to put it on a touring bike, then ride 1000 miles on gravel thru Calif., Nevada and Utah.

Somehow you missed that thread, your thoughts would have been appreciated.

https://www.bikeforums.net/road-cycl...liability.html

Seattle Forrest

You can buy very good cross country skis, boots, bindings, and decent poles at REI for less than the (downhill?) boots you saw. And then you don't have to pay to use them.

ls01

I recently built a 2016 S works Tarmac with Sram force etap, for under 4k. I did have to replace the disk calipers with red post mount calipers, due to the frame being post mount rather than flat mount. I recycled a few parts, saddle, handle bars, seat post.
Also, upgrading my 2011, S works Contador tribute Tarmac to Red 22, 11 speed etap. Itll still be rim brakes, but electronic shifting. The wireless ness is awesome.

Seattle Forrest

Skiing is more fun. And I say that as someone who loves cycling dearly.

August West

I bought my first pair of skis at Gart Brothers Sniagrab (bargains spelled backward) for a grand total of $10. Of course back in those days you could also purchase lift tickets for select ski areas (I think Winter Park was one) in advance at King Soopers for $11 saving a buck or two over buying them at the slopes. I don't ski anymore but think the prices might have gone up a bit since then.

noodle soup

fify

Nordic/Randonee Is a different kind of fun.

BigPoser

There is nothing that shifts better than a properly adjusted Campag 12 speed. It is pure bliss.

And yes I have a bike with Di2.

Noctilux.95

I have three bikes with Dura Ace 9150 di2 and one with Campy SR mechanical 12-spd. Like BigPoser stated above, nothing shifts better than a properly adjusted Campy drivetrain.