I have a self-admitted obsession with bicycles, but let me clarify a few things.
Do I love the new technology ... Yes, frickin' cool the electronic shifting. And the lighter more aero frames, ya di ya di ya da.
Now let's get to what I care about and what I deem reasonable as far as expenses and my experience. You will not be happy with a $500 brand new bike if you are going to be putting more than 1000 miles a year on it. That being said, you could be perfectly happy with a $800 bike and not know the difference between that a $1500 bike vs. an $8000 bike.
Let me explain. There are new technologies out there like the electronic shifting, actually reduces weight, I would have guessed the opposite. You can drop $3,000 on a wheelset! Hell, you can drop nearly $500 on a seat!
So let's talk about simple physics; you push a pedal, which transfers energy to the crank, transfers to the chain, chain then puts tension on the frame, pulls at the rear cassette to turn a hub that then tensions spokes to the rim and transfers energy to the tire to finally move you forward. Bikes are radically simple! Thus generally as soon as you get to a "decent" bike $800 new or so the frame will no longer flex, the crank set will not flex, generally, a chain is a chain, and your components will not flex, therefore delivering nearly all of the energy to the tire. Of all of the parts of the simple physics of a bicycle, the ONLY part that is not replaceable (in theory) is the frame. Therefore, I would strongly recommend if you are just getting started to get shitty components on the best frame you can buy.
Components, there are two main companies that play in that game Shimano and Sram, they both have basic entry level stuff and ramp up over the course of about 4 to 6 layers of shitty to awesome. The shitty is REALLY shitty, and the awesome is REALLY awesome, I have ridden both ends. And here's the deal, other than brand new stuff back in the day you wanted to line up with either the second or third from the top. Because the second or third from the top incorporates all of the awesomeness of the top end, uses metal for parts not plastic but weigh significantly more.
Now I know I have said this before, and I know I will say it again. Weight ON your bike doesn't mean shit, Weight on your bike is no different than that roll on your stomach or your iPhone 6 in your pocket. Lets put this into perspective and Iphone 6 plus weights 6.07 oz or 172 grams. Shimano Dura Ace 9000 vs. Ultegra 6800 price for the group set of Dura Ace looks to run about $1200 while the price for Ultegra is about $600 weight difference ... drum roll .... just under 300 grams or less than two I phones! Is that worth $600? Sure if the one you are not paying for it (you are sponsored) or two you are making money competing and seconds matter! Otherwise, you are a fool to run Dura Ace, (even though it is the mack daddy!)
Long story short, 105's are fine, so are Apex, anything above that is gravy going to the Dura Ace, or the Red line is foolish you are wasting your money. There I said it, my two cents!
I still have loads to cover, wheelsets, tires, handlebars, bike styles, purposes, etc.
Do I love the new technology ... Yes, frickin' cool the electronic shifting. And the lighter more aero frames, ya di ya di ya da.
Now let's get to what I care about and what I deem reasonable as far as expenses and my experience. You will not be happy with a $500 brand new bike if you are going to be putting more than 1000 miles a year on it. That being said, you could be perfectly happy with a $800 bike and not know the difference between that a $1500 bike vs. an $8000 bike.
Let me explain. There are new technologies out there like the electronic shifting, actually reduces weight, I would have guessed the opposite. You can drop $3,000 on a wheelset! Hell, you can drop nearly $500 on a seat!
So let's talk about simple physics; you push a pedal, which transfers energy to the crank, transfers to the chain, chain then puts tension on the frame, pulls at the rear cassette to turn a hub that then tensions spokes to the rim and transfers energy to the tire to finally move you forward. Bikes are radically simple! Thus generally as soon as you get to a "decent" bike $800 new or so the frame will no longer flex, the crank set will not flex, generally, a chain is a chain, and your components will not flex, therefore delivering nearly all of the energy to the tire. Of all of the parts of the simple physics of a bicycle, the ONLY part that is not replaceable (in theory) is the frame. Therefore, I would strongly recommend if you are just getting started to get shitty components on the best frame you can buy.
Components, there are two main companies that play in that game Shimano and Sram, they both have basic entry level stuff and ramp up over the course of about 4 to 6 layers of shitty to awesome. The shitty is REALLY shitty, and the awesome is REALLY awesome, I have ridden both ends. And here's the deal, other than brand new stuff back in the day you wanted to line up with either the second or third from the top. Because the second or third from the top incorporates all of the awesomeness of the top end, uses metal for parts not plastic but weigh significantly more.
Now I know I have said this before, and I know I will say it again. Weight ON your bike doesn't mean shit, Weight on your bike is no different than that roll on your stomach or your iPhone 6 in your pocket. Lets put this into perspective and Iphone 6 plus weights 6.07 oz or 172 grams. Shimano Dura Ace 9000 vs. Ultegra 6800 price for the group set of Dura Ace looks to run about $1200 while the price for Ultegra is about $600 weight difference ... drum roll .... just under 300 grams or less than two I phones! Is that worth $600? Sure if the one you are not paying for it (you are sponsored) or two you are making money competing and seconds matter! Otherwise, you are a fool to run Dura Ace, (even though it is the mack daddy!)
Long story short, 105's are fine, so are Apex, anything above that is gravy going to the Dura Ace, or the Red line is foolish you are wasting your money. There I said it, my two cents!
I still have loads to cover, wheelsets, tires, handlebars, bike styles, purposes, etc.
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