Analysis Paralysis: New Top-End bike

[flafonta]

I need (i.e. want ) a new bike.

I currently ride a first-gen Venge, with 404s. And after about 40,000 miles on it, I am hitching for a new steed.

I ride quite a bit, about 250 miles per week. All of it on fast (for me) group rides, lunch hammer-fests and a little racing. I live in Dallas area. So it is very flat and windy. I am a lanky 150lbs.

I am limited to what I can get from our sponsor shop (Specialized, Giant, Cannondale, Wilier, Pinarello, and maybe some other special orders from small brands).

After months of agonizing over which bike to get, I was set on getting the new Venge Disk eTap. I know it is not the most loved bike out there but here were my reasons:

• One of the most aero bike, and speed is what I care most about
• Comes with eTap (which I really want)
• All integrated cabling
• Comes with good wheels (CLX64), and they can be setup tubeless which I might try
• I like the saddle and cockpit (although not crazy about the riser bars)
• I like the geometry
• I like the look of it and the paint scheme in 2017
• Comes with a decent powermeter integrated

So I went to the dealer to order it this week, and after initial delays of October to December, it is now delayed another 5 months until April. Who knows when it will really be available.

So I am back to square one and this continuing analysis paralysis. Here are my options:

1. Do nothing, my old clunker is perfectly fine
2. Upgrade old Venge to eTap, new wheels (would need 11 speeds), new aero cockpit (that would cost almost $5K!)
3. Get the 2016 new Venge Rim brake, since almost same price as option 1 above. (now discontinued and discounted by a huge discount). But I don't love the paint and the brakes
4. Wait another 5 months and get the 2017 Venge as originally planned
5. Get a Pinarello F8 (which is ~$2K/$3K more than the Venge). I really like the F8, but the price crossed a mental barrier for me, and the discounts are very small. Would be my favorite bike if price was non issue

The other offerings don't inspire me too much (Giant propel -> older design that should change next year, Cannondale SS->No aero option even if great bike).

Help!

[beanbiken]

My 2cents, either wait and hope the April date is truthful or go the F8 which by your comments seems to be your first preference. Seems like with the age of your current Venge and the number of miles you ride it should be justifiable, do it

[liam7020]

Why are people so obsessed by aero and discs, I'm totally bemused by the whole process cos we're being led neb first by the industry to buy their new trinkets that we have little, if any, need of. Maybe it's little mental boost for an ephemeral time scale but I reckon, in reality, there are very riders on the forum with the genetic propensity or the physiology to screw out those race winning extra watts from their aero set-ups.

I have sweet looking F8 in Orange/blue limited edition 968, etap equipped and it's the most f*ckin' disappointing bike I've owned. It reminds of a women I once knew - a dangerously sexy mare but ultimately extremely deleterious to my health! My Specialized Tarmac with Record mechanic is a far superior to the F8 in all aspects of the ride, apart from looks and there you're back again with your form over function!

[junchen]

Why are people so obsessed by aero and discs, I'm totally bemused by the whole process cos we're being led neb first by the industry to buy their new trinkets that we have little, if any, need of. Maybe it's little mental boost for an ephemeral time scale but I reckon, in reality, there are very riders on the forum with the genetic propensity or the physiology to screw out those race winning extra watts from their aero set-ups.

I have sweet looking F8 in Orange/blue limited edition 968, etap equipped and it's the most f*ckin' disappointing bike I've owned. It reminds of a women I once knew - a dangerously sexy mare but ultimately extremely deleterious to my health! My Specialized Tarmac with Record mechanic is a far superior to the F8 in all aspects of the ride, apart from looks and there you're back again with your form over function!

But why can't u keep to the OP's parameters and not deride his choice of aero and/or disc? If it makes him feel good its all that matters. He's not asking if he should get aero or not. He's choosing between 2 aero (or aero inspired) bikes.

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[russianbear]

I'd just wait for the venge. You can get a non riser bar when you order yours, specialized will trade it out for your shop.

Apparently the reason for the delay is SRAM dragging their heels on the etap hydro group.

[flafonta]

Why are people so obsessed by aero and discs, I'm totally bemused by the whole process cos we're being led neb first by the industry to buy their new trinkets that we have little, if any, need of. Maybe it's little mental boost for an ephemeral time scale but I reckon, in reality, there are very riders on the forum with the genetic propensity or the physiology to screw out those race winning extra watts from their aero set-ups.

I have sweet looking F8 in Orange/blue limited edition 968, etap equipped and it's the most f*ckin' disappointing bike I've owned. It reminds of a women I once knew - a dangerously sexy mare but ultimately extremely deleterious to my health! My Specialized Tarmac with Record mechanic is a far superior to the F8 in all aspects of the ride, apart from looks and there you're back again with your form over function!

Disk I am not obsessed with. Either Disk or Rim brakes are fine with me, especially in the flatlands. Just happened that the new Venge is now disk only.

But I am obsessed with Aero. Every ride I do is at the limit. We do all out sprints every lunch ride (twice a week), that are regularly won or lost by inches. I want the best tool possible. Although I often wonder what is the actual difference in such group ride between a bike like a Tarmac and the Venge. Maybe the difference would be feet (big deal) or millimeters (who cares).

Finally, I am quite interested in your impression of the F8. All I could find so far are glowing reviews of the bike, either by the media (not very trustworthy), or by individuals (people tend to glow about their own purchases, especially when they are so expensive). I'll try the Tarmac again, but I am worried to always wonder how much performance I am leaving on the table compared to the new crop of aero bikes.

[flafonta]

I'd just wait for the venge. You can get a non riser bar when you order yours, specialized will trade it out for your shop.

Apparently the reason for the delay is SRAM dragging their heels on the etap hydro group.

I know I can get a non riser bar, but with the only negative 17 deg stem, it would not fit (too agressive). I am hoping they will release a less agressive stem, as many people have been put off by the look of the front with the riser bars.

[AJS914]

and a little racing

Can amateurs race on discs?

[flafonta]

and a little racing

Can amateurs race on discs?

I think so. Local small races. They would not turn down the $20 registration fee

Maybe different for national races.

[sharkman]

Wouldn't choose dics at a top line bike untill axle standards have settled. Vias would be a no go (have two customers that sold theirs within a year because they just couldn't get used to it)
F8 is a good frameset but a bit expensive, propel isp with fouriers brakes is cheaper and imho. at least as good as the pinarello

[kgt]

But I am obsessed with Aero. Every ride I do is at the limit. We do all out sprints every lunch ride (twice a week), that are regularly won or lost by inches. I want the best tool possible.

Are you sure the ViAS is "the best tool possible"? I would seriously doubt it. Have you talked with people who have or had ridden it?

[fromtrektocolnago]

But I am obsessed with Aero. Every ride I do is at the limit. We do all out sprints every lunch ride (twice a week), that are regularly won or lost by inches. I want the best tool possible.

Are you sure the ViAS is "the best tool possible"? I would seriously doubt it. Have you talked with people who have or had ridden it?

Every ride you do IS NOT at the limit. if you feel the only limiting factor is the bike and not the rider you are misguided if not delusional. the pros surely do not think this way. in my view the most important considerations on a bike are geometry fit and feel.

My suggestion is to sign up for a training camp in some beautiful warm location. Things are just that. Make some memories. In Girona there are fantastic training camps and the city is full of pros who hang out at La Fabarica. Their are races held around the city weekly and anyone can participate.

[salesguy]

I get what the OP is asking for. When you are on a group ride, hammering at your limit, you want to know you have the best bike under you as possible. It's a mental thing just as much as real wattage savings.

When I'm 10 miles out from the finish of our local race ride, at the limit, trying to attack the other guys or stay with a strong move, I like knowing i have zipp wheels, latex tubes, a light bike, the best parts, a clean, lubed chain, etc. It all helps.

I ride a tarmac -I'd rather wait a little on the aero bikes given the standards for disc brakes are in flux, but if I had to choose now I'd probably go giant or F8. I too can get those at cost and the pina is a mint even at wholesale - meh!

[Fluoro7]

Why not just test ride the F8 and see how it compares to your current Venge for yourself? If you prefer the Venge I think 5 months is worth the wait if you've lasted this long on your current bike.

[flafonta]

But I am obsessed with Aero. Every ride I do is at the limit. We do all out sprints every lunch ride (twice a week), that are regularly won or lost by inches. I want the best tool possible.

Are you sure the ViAS is "the best tool possible"? I would seriously doubt it. Have you talked with people who have or had ridden it?

KGT, I am no sure it is the best possible tool, hence asking here about opinions. But the Venge is probably one of the most aero road bike out there.
I have 1 very good friend that has been riding his for 1 year. He was on a Propel before. He says he really likes his Venge. I also got to try the new Venge for a 20 minute test ride last year with the demo truck.