How long does a carbon frame last?

Triathlon Forum
1

I need to either

  1. Replace the drivetrain on my Trek 5200 road bike (>18,000 miles)

or

  1. Buy a new road bike.

The ultegra parts are wearing out, etc. I can get a new groupo and start fresh, or the other option is to go out and spend some change on the bike. I don’t need anything super fancy for a road bike. I use it to train. My QR tri bike is my racing bike.

Any thoughts?

2

Spend 5-600 on a new groupset and go ride your bike. Dont need Dura Ace on it, even 105 and under today are better than years old Ultegra.

3

I was actually thinking of Campy Veloce with a compact crank (I have a triple now and dont think I need it. I do live in the mtns. of Colorado so I do need some extra gears for climbing.

4

I had Sora/Tiagra on my old road bike, and it had the single tap/thumb shift system like Campy. The Litespeed I just bought has Ultegra and it shifts buttery smooth, but I still don’t know if I totally dig it. If I was getting a new gruppo I think I would go Campy.

5

Agreed - Rival or Chorus are SOLID investments.

Compact? Well, I guess that might help… Normally, I’d make fun of you, but I find myself running a 39x27 when I’m doing some of the 12,000’ vertical rides, so I won’t criticize you too much.

6

The frame will last forever, assuming no asteroids or whatnot. Buy a Chorus group from Europe and you’ll be set.