maadfw

Hi All,

Thank you first for all your interesting insights in this forum. It is really a fun place. I am a long time lurker and of late trying to make a biking decision. About 10 years back, I bought a 2002 Giant TCR 2 (yes, it is 20 year old now!) with Shimano 105 to get started with road biking. It has Aluminium frame (Giant Aluxx) with Carbon Fiber seat posts and forks. Several thousand miles later, I am still riding the bike and it absolutely fits perfect for me and I still have lot of energy left after 40+ miles group rides here in Texas. I switched the tires to Continental GP5000 and they definitely made a difference (~1mph improvement).

I have been doing about 15-16 mph rides mainly and occasionally I would like to ride the higher speed one at 17-18 mph. To achieve that, I am thinking about either upgrading the existing components on the TCR frame that I really like (such as wheels) or sell the TCR and upgrade to a 5-6 year old full carbon Roubaix/Emonda/another TCR with 105? I can get these bikes used in the craigslist or local facebook market place within my budget at around $2000.

What do you think? Thx again for your advice.

-maadfw

Sardines

You will get marginal improvements with more aerodynamic setups. As you know, aero is most important as you speed up. Aero changes make more sense for speed gains rather than component changes. Now I personally found an aero bike is faster overall, but the gains will depend on conditions and of course how much power you put in.

Koyote

If you want to ride faster, a newer bike is probably the least productive approach. Ride more, train properly, and make sure you’re wearing a snug jersey.

SoSmellyAir

Maybe, but a new bike is surely good motivation to do the things listed below!

Iride01 

A new and lighter bike. Certainly you can change the entire 105 groupset to Ultegra and change to marginally lighter wheels too and get lighter. Though still you likely will be better off and easier just getting a new bike.

If you didn't have to ask this question, then you might have a slight edge on upgrading your existing bike. <grin>

Speed though is all on you. A lighter bike will leave you with more energy to sustain your speed longer. Unless all your riding is on level ground or always downhill.

SpedFast

Upgrade or join the C&V crowd. Haha, just kidding. If there is any chance of test riding a newer bike it will make the decision a whole lot easier for you.

cyclezen

Keep the 'old' as is.
Buy the 'New' with mostly 'newer' stuff. (spend less on the inconsequential stuff... less 'motoring' and money for 'gas' adds up quickly)
Ride both, for all sorts of rides
compare...
make a decision... if needed
Ride On... some more
Yuri

SoSmellyAir

I bought a 2000 CAAD4 frame for a project bike but even that does not seem to qualify me for the C&V subforum.

cyclezen

For your consideration
cycling performance is all gains/loses - some marginal, some major
equipment gains, physio gains, positional gains
the easiest, quickest, cheapest gains are positional - but the implementation can be problematic, depending on the rider. Or they can be substantial, again depending on the rider and ride profile.
'climbing', physio and equipment gains/loses are the big gorilla
flatter and more varied ride profile you go, equipment reduces, physio always important, and 'position'/aero becomes much more important. a combination of 3
For your consideration
a nice general study on "Field Testing the Upright VS the Aero Bike Cycling Position" - quick jump to page 23+ nails the jelly to the tree...
modern performance road riding doesn't need aero bars - 90% of the 'gain' is commonly achieved - in steady state riding - by mimicking the 'aero tuck' - riding hands on hoods, forearm tucked and parallel to ground/road, rider upper body relaxed....
it's actually very comfortable, for someone with flexibility enough to not have a heavv arch in the back. No everyone s able to do this from the get-go, but getting there makes longer distances at easier/higher speeds, fun... but that's a whole other can O worms...
Ride on
Yuri

...and there are consequences to a reach tooo short (too long is very hard to accomplish)

delbiker1 

The answer is yes.

tFUnK

I enjoy a retro-modern project but unless that old alloy TCR has sentimental value I'd lean towards building off of something slightly more modern. Things like weight, stiffness, geometry, and tire clearance would be my main considerations, as things have come a long way since 2002. I have a couple of older metal bikes set up with modern components and my biggest regret is not being able to fit wider tires on them. And if I'm being honest they simply don't feel as fast or responsive as my carbon bikes.

maadfw

Thanks so much all of you for your insights. I do think it is time to upgrade but also I could improve my biking techniques like cyclezen mentioned. I will keep both bikes for some time before selling the old one.

thanks much,
-maadfw