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Is it worth the upgrade?
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My essential question: How much would I gain over all out of upgrading from my 2009 Cannondale Slice (DA), to a 2017 Specialised Shiv (Ultegra)?

Background: I really love the look of the Shiv. The bar set up feels really comfortable, it looks way more aero and it honestly looks really really nice in stock trim. I can also get it for $3000AUD, $1500 below RRP. Deals like this don't come up often. My slice is a bike that kinda just "works". It's getting on a little bit in age but in all honesty was a high end bike 10 years ago. The difference in what I would sell my bike for and what I can get the Shiv for is a matter of like $2000AUD.

Is it worth upgrading? Financially, its easy to upgrade and my heart is giving me a fat yes, but logic etc. is telling me I won't be much faster on a Shiv. I'm torn and could use a bit of experience to guide me here
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Re: Is it worth the upgrade? [MJI16] [ In reply to ]
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MJI16 wrote:
My essential question: How much would I gain over all out of upgrading from my 2009 Cannondale Slice (DA), to a 2017 Specialised Shiv (Ultegra)?

Background: I really love the look of the Shiv. The bar set up feels really comfortable, it looks way more aero and it honestly looks really really nice in stock trim. I can also get it for $3000AUD, $1500 below RRP. Deals like this don't come up often. My slice is a bike that kinda just "works". It's getting on a little bit in age but in all honesty was a high end bike 10 years ago. The difference in what I would sell my bike for and what I can get the Shiv for is a matter of like $2000AUD.

Is it worth upgrading? Financially, its easy to upgrade and my heart is giving me a fat yes, but logic etc. is telling me I won't be much faster on a Shiv. I'm torn and could use a bit of experience to guide me here

I think you probably know the answer!

Just look at the times of your mates and guys you compete against, see how their times differ from when they moved from their old TT bike to their new one. Very little difference most likely. I've had mates go from 2nd had P2s with training wheels to $10k P5s with disc and the improvement has been negligible. I recently upgraded from my 2014 P2 to a new TM02, but I don't expect to much(any?) quicker. I didn't feel super comfy on the P2 and liked the look of the TM02, so it's mostly an aesthetic thing. Plus I didn't want the hassle of trying to sell a 4/5 year old bike, I still managed to get $1900 for my P2. If you've got the $$ burning a hole in your pocket, go for it, but just don't be expecting any significant performance improvements.
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Re: Is it worth the upgrade? [zedzded] [ In reply to ]
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Yeah great points! I love the TM02. They're one of the best looking bikes around.

The Shiv would eliminate a whole heap of issues that I have with my hydration and storage set up. It's also got way better aero bars . My aero bars give me sore wrists.

If you had of asked me a week ago if I would consider buying a high end TT bike, I would have said no, and in all honesty would have said something along the lines of "high end frames that cost over a grand are a waste of money". Well looking at this bike today didn't necessarily throw that concept out the window, but I can definitely understand why people don't mind spending a few extra $$ on a good looking bike.

I also can't imagine losing too much money if I decide to sell it down the track since the retailer has already lost the bulk of the money on it.
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Re: Is it worth the upgrade? [MJI16] [ In reply to ]
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I also can't imagine losing too much money if I decide to sell it down the track since the retailer has already lost the bulk of the money on it.[/quote]
You are probably wrong but not a reason to not buy the bike.
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Re: Is it worth the upgrade? [MJI16] [ In reply to ]
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If you really like it, picking an older one up on a discount is not a bad idea. Even if it's not faster, comfort and convenience are worth something, as well as the psychological boost of a new bike. It's not like you're talking about dropping $10k on it, nor upgrading last year's $10k bike to this year's. If you know it's not about speed, you won't be disappointed if it's not there.

Now, if you don't really want it, or the money is important elsewhere, then don't do it, of course.

The point is, ladies and gentleman, that speed, for lack of a better word, is good. Speed is right, Speed works. Speed clarifies, cuts through, and captures the essence of the evolutionary spirit.
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Re: Is it worth the upgrade? [DFW_Tri] [ In reply to ]
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Oh for sure theres money to lose on it! But I dont buy a bike with the intention of selling it any where in the near future, but should I get badly injured and have to give it up, ill be glad i didnt pay 4.5k on a bike and get 1.5 for it later on. Paying 3 and selling for 1.5..i can libe with that. I might sound like im thinking of the money side of things too much, but thats how i am and thats why Im in a good financial position today.
Last edited by: MJI16: Oct 25, 17 4:23
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Re: Is it worth the upgrade? [MJI16] [ In reply to ]
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with more comfortable aerobars and better/more integrated hydration/storage solutions, you will have a cleaner and thus faster set up due to those elements (even if just marginally) in addition to pure frame differences. not to mention convenience factor, ease of use, etc.

plus if you like the way it looks more, it can inspire you to ride more and/or take better care of the bike, both of which are good things. that's one of the main reasons i am constantly tweaking my bike to appeal to my eyes. i look at it hanging on the wall, and i just get the feeling that i want to go for a ride. if you don't get that feeling from looking at your RS, i say that's reason enough to make a change.
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Re: Is it worth the upgrade? [PBT_2009] [ In reply to ]
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The most important thing is fit, and as long as the Shiv is on the table, this upgrade issue is really one of fit. The Shiv is not a conventional long and low bike. It has a shortish top tube and a tallish front end. The Shiv is perfect for me because I'm old and I have a short torso.

Go poke around Slowtwitch's Stack and Reach database. Try out some bikes and figure out what S/R combo works best for you. Use that to create a shortlist of bikes.

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