This is a scenario question:
I’m new to the sport (only 4 races so far, all Olympic distance) but have done pretty well (always top 10%, missed age group placing-25-29-by 1 to 4 spots in some races). Right now I’m riding an old Trek OCLV 5020, I think one of the first carbon fiber frames the company made. It’s all Shimano 105s clunky wheels, etc. I’ve stuck a pair of aerobars on it, bought speedplay pedals, and that’s pretty much my racing rig. I realize it needs some serious help.
My next investment was going to be new wheels, but that really necessiates new components, which essentially means ditching everything on the bike and performing my own ‘extreme makeover’. I’m trying to keep my expenditure to below (way below) $2000. The way I see it, my options are the following, in order of increasing expense:
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Buy individual components–i.e. bottom bracket, fr. & r. der., crankset, cassette, & levers (probably ultegra). Then spend whatever I have left over on a new set of race wheels.
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Nytro offers an aero package of Dura-Ace 10spd stuff that goes for $1600 or so. That would give me everything: components, wheels, new saddle, aerobars, etc.–the “extreme” of the extreme makeover.
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Suck it up and buy a new tri bike (…which I’d like to do but I haven’t seen that many great packages for less than $3000).
I’m inclined to go with #2, which gives me everything minus the frame, and that I could get once I escape from debtor’s prison.
Any advice on the best plan of attack? I’m I wimping out by not going with a new bike right off the bat? Or does it make sense to invest in the components and build from there?