2015, 2017, or 2018 Speed Concept

Triathlon Forum
1

Hello ST-
First post and looking for some opinions. Im new to tri and thinking of upgrading from an older road bike to a Trek Speed Concept. A bike shop near me (not my usual) has a new black/red medium 2015 SC 7.5 for $2800. The Trek website has the 2017 SC 7.5 for $3599, and the 2018 SC for $3999. I realize there are some build/component differences but overall they seem fairly minor. Assuming there would be a little bit of a price break on the purchase of a 2017 or 2018 from my LBS, which would you choose? My budget would cover the cost of the 2018 but not much else.

2

The 2015 in a heartbeat.

  • I don’t like the color of the 2017 (ymmv), and it has the UCI fork (which is probably only a few watts slower…but still)
  • I believe the 2015 comes with a speed fin while the stealth black 2018 does not (again, probable just a couple watts)
  • The 2015 comes with a semi-compact crankset vs the compact crankset on the 2018
  • The 2018 does come with faster wheels than the 2015

But mostly it just comes down to saving 1000 dollars when the bikes are basically identical in terms of performance. That money could buy you a set of Flo wheels to race on or better yet a power meter

3

2015! I have the same bike. 2017 and 2018 have the UCI legal bars and fork. Get the 2015, better parts and cheaper.

4

grab that 2015 and run
.

5

grab that 2015 and run

+1. Use the money you save on an ERO session and you will be really fast next year.

6

I went through this exact same dilemma recently: 2015, 2017, or 2018. I went with the local bike shop’s 2015 for $3K (which someone on this board found for me) for all the reasons stated above. Basically the same bike but a lot cheaper, and the same good Trek warranty. Plus, at least when I was shopping, none of my local shops had any 2018’s in stock and wouldn’t for a few months.

The only reason I would do the 2018 is if you’re going with Concept 1 and want to customize the look and/or components on the bike.

7

I went through this exact same dilemma recently: 2015, 2017, or 2018. I went with the local bike shop’s 2015 for $3K (which someone on this board found for me) for all the reasons stated above. Basically the same bike but a lot cheaper, and the same good Trek warranty. Plus, at least when I was shopping, none of my local shops had any 2018’s in stock and wouldn’t for a few months.

The only reason I would do the 2018 is if you’re going with Concept 1 and want to customize the look and/or components on the bike.

It is called “Project 1”

8

Thanks for all the responses. Wasn’t planning on a Project 1 build so I guess the 2015 may be the best option. That’s where I was leaning since I like the color scheme, availability, and the few extra bucks in my pocket for some upgrades.

9

They don’t happen to have an XL laying around by chance, do they?

10

I would say 2015 would do. They didn’t change the layout that much. I bet if you look around, you can probably get a cheaper one too. I got a 9.9 with carbon wheels 2015 for 3500 only. Also laid my hands on a 2018 one, not that much different, same weight