Older bike vs Newer bike

mortizx said:

What is the real difference besides carbon and super high end components?

The other difference is that typically as the price goes up, weight comes down. That doesn't mean performance improves. More expensive bikes often have wheels that are touted as being better, but that depends on the wheel. Compared to some of the less expensive component groups, the more expensive groups sometimes have more features.

As for carbon fiber, it's not necessarily a benefit. It's just another material, and any worth it has is in how it's implemented in a design. CF does offer manufacturers to make frames and components with more creative shapes, but that's not necessarily a good thing. Here's an example, one of the ugliest bikes of all time:

The marketing benefits of carbon fiber are many, but that doesn't do anything for a rider, except drain a bit more money from his or her wallet.

If I were you, I'd keep your current bike (unless the fit is all wrong) and thrash it. Riding it more will help you decide what you'd really like in a bike, define your bike tastes, and whether or not you need another bike.

Thanks for your response... Should I add higher end components? Like dura ace, it has SORA and Tigra right now.

alienator said:

The other difference is that typically as the price goes up, weight comes down. That doesn't mean performance improves. More expensive bikes often have wheels that are touted as being better, but that depends on the wheel. Compared to some of the less expensive component groups, the more expensive groups sometimes have more features.

As for carbon fiber, it's not necessarily a benefit. It's just another material, and any worth it has is in how it's implemented in a design. CF does offer manufacturers to make frames and components with more creative shapes, but that's not necessarily a good thing. Here's an example, one of the ugliest bikes of all time:

The marketing benefits of carbon fiber are many, but that doesn't do anything for a rider, except drain a bit more money from his or her wallet.

If I were you, I'd keep your current bike (unless the fit is all wrong) and thrash it. Riding it more will help you decide what you'd really like in a bike, define your bike tastes, and whether or not you need another bike.

I'd wait a bit. As you ride it more, you may find things that you want to change. The wheels are one of the first components that people look to when considering upgrades. Dura Ace is a big, expensive jump. I think a better consideration would be Ultegra: functionally there's no difference between the two. 105 might even be a consideration. It'd be a cheap way to get into a 10 speed system. As I said earlier, though, I wouldn't upgrade right now. Who knows, you could end up wanting Campagnolo or SRAM instead of Shimano components.

mortizx said:

I have a 2003 Felt F85, mint condition, candy apple red. Im a new biker, just for summer and excercise (20 miles a week), is it worth buying a new 1500.00 FELT Bike or is this one just as good?

If you're still satisfied with your bike and it performs well in your limited use, then keep riding it. You'll know when the urge to spend a lot of money on a sexy new bike is gripping you like an addict and you're up all night looking at bike websites comparing models and prices and feeling like you couldn't stand to ride your current piece of [censored] for another mile. Trust me, you'll know..... :o

Until then, enjoy it. 😎

Like the others said, unless it is the wrong size for you or you are having problems with it; just keep riding it.

It looks like a pretty good bike and it's not very old.

64Paramount said:

Like the others said, unless it is the wrong size for you or you are having problems with it; just keep riding it.

It looks like a pretty good bike and it's not very old.

+1. I have a 2000 that I bought used through Craigslist, it runs great. If it rides fine and fits well, keep it.

mortizx said:

Thanks for your response... Should I add higher end components? Like dura ace, it has SORA and Tigra right now.

If the drivetrain works, I'd consider comfort- and fit-oriented upgrades first. Think handlbar, saddle & pedals. Just learn to monitor equipment that wears out, like chains, cassettes, pedal cleats, brake pads, and cables.

mortizx said:

I have a 2003 Felt F85, mint condition, candy apple red. Im a new biker, just for summer and excercise (20 miles a week), is it worth buying a new 1500.00 FELT Bike or is this one just as good? Its only 16lbs.. What is the real difference besides carbon and super high end components?

Signed, Confused Biker

16lbs is an almost unbelievable weight for that bike with Sora/Tiagra components and a triple crank! You must have some great and lightweight wheels and other parts on there ($$). You'd probably gain a pound or two if you spend $2,000 or more.

I doubt you'd find any functional or weight difference unless you go quite a bit higher end.

You have a sexy bike frame! I would upgrade the groupset to Shimano 105 instead of buying a new bike.

The question to ask yourself is are you happy with the bike? If you are, and it's a nice looking light bike, then why upgrade? You're not racing or competing, you're not looking for an extra half second of speed. If the bike is comfortable and doing everything you want it to do, then keep it. Once you start on the upgrade trail it can never end. And your wallet will become a lot lighter.

mortizx said:

Thanks for your response... Should I add higher end components? Like dura ace, it has SORA and Tigra right now.

Thanks for your help... I mean, my bike is in MINT condition but I guess im just looking for a fancier bike... I will keep this one...
THanks, again!

mortizx said:

I have a 2003 Felt F85, mint condition, candy apple red. Im a new biker, just for summer and excercise (20 miles a week), is it worth buying a new 1500.00 FELT Bike or is this one just as good? Its only 16lbs.. What is the real difference besides carbon and super high end components?

Signed, Confused Biker

That's a good lookin' bike. Keep it and wear it out!

some really good responses on this thread, especially from alienator which i agree 100% with what he has said. and for the record, when i first started riding enthusiasticly, i used to borrow an aluminum trek 1000 that was two or three sizes to small for me that was Sora eqipped and i had no trouble keeping with the racers on their high end carbon bmc's with record or whatever they were on. it's the rider, not the bike so take your time and ride that mint condition bike and go from there. you'll figure it out as you go along.

mortizx said:

Thanks for your help... I mean, my bike is in MINT condition but I guess im just looking for a fancier bike... I will keep this one...

FYI. You can give your bike a new-and-improved look-and-feel by installing a pair of 10-speed, non-QS, Campagnolo shifters on your bike.

Based on how wise a shopper you are, your initial cost will be between $100-to-$400+ if you buy the shifters on eBay.

The 10-speed Campagnolo shifters will index directly with an 8-/9-speed Shimano derailleur and an 8-speed Shimano cassette.

The 10-speed Campagnolo shifter can also be indexed to a 9-speed Shimano rear derailleur + 9-speed Shimano cassette by using the Hubbub.com alternate rear derailleur anchoring position:

[CENTER][IMG]hubbub.comergolever xtergo.jpgOpen ↗[/IMG][/CENTER]

If you buy a pair of Veloce shifters (for example) AND you sell your Sora shifters, then your net cost (including, new handlebar tape) should be below $100 if you DIY.

BTW. I prefer to use BRAKE CABLE housing for my derailleur cable housing ... if the Campagnolo shifters you might buy don't come with cables & housing, you will probably want/need new housing for your derailleur cables.

mortizx said:

Thanks for your help... I mean, my bike is in MINT condition but I guess im just looking for a fancier bike... I will keep this one...

FYI. You can give your bike a new-and-improved look-and-feel by installing a pair of 10-speed, non-QS, Campagnolo shifters on your bike.

Based on how wise a shopper you are, your initial cost will be between $100-to-$400+ if you buy the shifters on eBay.

The 10-speed Campagnolo shifters will index directly with an 8-/9-speed Shimano derailleur and an 8-speed Shimano cassette.

The 10-speed Campagnolo shifter can also be indexed to a 9-speed Shimano rear derailleur + 9-speed Shimano cassette by using the Hubbub.com alternate rear derailleur anchoring position:

[CENTER][IMG]hubbub.comergolever xtergo.jpgOpen ↗[/IMG][/CENTER]

If you buy a pair of Veloce shifters (for example) AND you sell your Sora shifters, then your net cost (including, new handlebar tape) could be below $100 if you DIY. How sweet is that?!?

BTW. I prefer to use BRAKE CABLE housing for my derailleur cable housing ... if the Campagnolo shifters you might buy don't come with cables & housing, you will probably want/need new housing for your derailleur cables.

There is no NEED to replace anything until what you have wears out.

Sora and Tiagra will do everything that a more expensive group will do, cheaper.

When they wear out, then replace them.

Until then ............

As Alienator says, just ride it.