BHamm9318

Hi all, long time reader, first time poster...these forums have really helped me over the last couple of weeks!

I am rounding the corner on purchasing a new (better) road bike. GF has been riding for a while and finally convinced me so, now I have the obvious which bike is better question as most new riders seems to have. Any help would really be appreciated. Thank you!

Me:
32 year old guy
Live in Texas, (mostly flat)
Pretty active
6'2 195 lbs
Will be riding maybe 30-75 miles a week
Went to LBS and measured/rode a 58cm and 60cm, so assuming either would work

Bikes:

Have narrowed them down to 2. Both are used bikes and local to where I live.

Bike 1
2012 Trek Madone 3.1. Frame size is L, 57-58 cm. Bontrager Race carbon fork.10-speed Shimano 105 drivetrain with SRAM compact cranks and Bontrager controls and wheels. Specialized computer, Shimano clipless pedals, bottle cages, Bontrager saddle bag, and rear brake lights.

Bike 2
2008 Giant TCR C2 Formula One full carbon road bike. Shifters and derailleurs are Shimano Ultegra. Brake calipers are 105. Crankset is RaceFace. Mavic Aksium Race wheels w/ Michelin Pro Race tires. Bike has +/- 100 miles on it.
Size is Large. 55cm seat tube / 57cm top tube. Shimano SPD-SL pedals

Both bikes are within $65 of each other. The Trek being higher priced. Both look very well kept up. And as I learned already, the normal answer is to ride them both and see which feels better, which I have! Tbqh the Giant felt a little better, but I dont even know enough about them to make sure. I am somewhat worried about the age of the bike/components on the Giant wearing out quicker, which may be a silly thought, however it is what I have been thinking about. The other bike also comes with a lot of accessories which would seem to help with the price. I hope I provided enough info, and thank you to anyone who could help me with my first purchase!

PepeM

Is one of them red?

BHamm9318

One is red/black, and the other is blue/white

motorthings

which do you want to ride more?
specs are similar, so if they both fit, you can't lose - just go for the one that you like more.

topflightpro

Whichever fits better. And then whichever is in better condition.

Maelochs

Buy them both and eventually sell the one you like less.

Doge

@~200# drive train becomes more important. I'd focus on cranks, wheels, headset.
The 105 will stop you fine.

Go with the one with the widest BB bearings. If you can ride them mash on them a bit.
These are too close to make a Forum selection.

FBOATSB

With regards to bike #2: if it really is + or - 100 miles that's nothing. Practically new.
With regards to bike #1: Even though newer it could conceivably have thousands of miles on it since you don't say.
If you like them both equally, I'd get the one that appears to have less miles and better cosmetics. The mileage you are predicting to ride is considered to be fairly casual around here so any bike you choose will most likely last a long time with normal maintenance until you decide to upgrade. Do it.

BHamm9318

Thanks for the great replies! I am glad I came here first. Good to know I am not far off on either of my choices. I dug up some pictures just in case you guys see something I dont.




I am leaning towards the Trek. However, the wheels and seat seem to be what people upgrade/complain about the most from the reviews I've read. The Giant seems to solve those problems.

As for resale, I think the Trek would probably help with that cause a couple of years form now. A 10 year old bike vs a 5 year old one...

I have ran 2 half marathons before, so I could definitely see a tri in my future, would either of thee work for the simple transition into those? I know if I got interested in doing them a lot, I would need a tri bike...but just wondering if that's even a question worth asking.

Thank you for all you help!

BHamm9318

Thank you guys for all of your help! I am glad I came here for questions. Good to know I am not far off on my assessment of the 2.

For the record I am leaning towards the Trek for resale value a couple of years down the road. I have done 2 half marathons, and could see a tri in my future.

However, the Giant seems to have a more aero tri seat post design? Theres a small (large) chance I have no idea what im talking about. I am just wondering if that may help with the transition without having to buy a new bike from the initial switch?

Also, the treks wheels and seat seem to be a major concern/complaint on most review sites I read. Not so much on the Giant.

I guess the only thing I'm really hung up on is the year model for resale value, components, wearing out, etc.

I dug up some pictures, in case you guys see anything I dont. Thanks again for all of the great advice, I really appreciate it!

shafter

Like others have said, get the one your gut likes!

That being said, I think the trek is way hotter.

mcours2006

I'd take the Trek. Hands down. It's a better looking bike. If you're concerned about the wheels, sell them and buy another set. Saddle? Hit and miss. If you find it comfortable, that's all that matters.

The Mavic wheels on the Giant are cheap 2kg wheels anyway. Nothing to write home about. You might end up upgrading those anyway.

Go with the Trek and don't look back.

WhyFi

How much are we talking for these two? When the MSRP on a Giant TCR Advanced is $1650 (and could probably go out the door for less this time of year), it makes a $1000-1200 5-year-old bike less attractive.

mcours2006

I wouldn't buy either of those bikes for more than 1K. I'd be willing to pay $800, max, for the Trek.

BHamm9318

Thanks for the replies. I do love the color of the Trek! but obv is not a decision maker.

Thanks also for the info on the wheels/seat. I wasnt sure if they were really good wheels or not. The first long ride I will probably do is the MS150 in April. Until then, i will just be getting seat time, around 75 miles a week max. So if I want to upgrade either Im sure I could.

To note: I have negotiated both of the bikes to <$1000

Probably sleep on it make a decision in the next 24 hours, excited!

goenrdoug

I vote Trek, and use this: https://www.bicyclebluebook.com/Sear...50&model=64664 in negotiating the price...

Note that you're getting a 10-speed component set and the current standard is 11-speed. That means the stuff on that bike is a generation back -- which reduces the resale value a bit. It doesn't make it work any worse, it might be a good negotiation tactic, that's all.

jitteringjr

You mention the giant has only 100 miles on it, but how many does the Trek have on it? Assuming the trek was used for more than a week of riding, I would take the Giant based on that of course assuming the fit and feel is a toss up to you.

Doge

Real email from today...Black is better!


From me:
But I was told the Red one was alwaysfaster!


Black isfine. Sure a few Red beads are good. I have some black beadshere. The MASI in the picture is being rebuilt to win the NationalHill Climb.


...

Sent: Tuesday, December 13, 2016 10:37 AM
Subject: Re: Item #9349840


Hello David, thankyou for the order, we are sold out of the Red Brake cordz for a bit.


We would like tohave you use the new 1.5mm diameter black Brake which is our best cable todate.
We have fewred swift beads that are red that we can add into the order for you to get theRed color.

Doge

I believe both are made in the same factory as the Giant - by Giant.

San Pedro

The Trek looks cooler. As someone else mentioned, if you're close to a grand on that bike, and are planning on doing some serious riding, a new TCR Advanced might be something to think about.

hsuehhwa

THIS (go out and ride A LOT) is far more important than what types of bikes you will be riding, for beginners. You WILL know what types of bikes fit you better after at least a couple of thousand miles.

BHamm9318

BTW I bought the Trek last night! Excited! The guy was super easy to work with and even came down on the a litle more. Thanks again for all of the insight. It definitely helped. Ill be hanging around the boards more often now!

WhyFi

Well, if you're going to hang around, you should know that it's pics or it didn't happen.

mcours2006

Congrats! I'm excited for you too. I hope you live somewhere where there isn't any snow so you can take it out immediately. It would suck to buy your first bike and not be able to ride it right away because of all this snow we're getting.

I hate winter.

rmfnla

Much prefer this over "getting ready to pull the trigger"...