Which bike to buy??? Need opinions

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2009-12-16 7:57 AM

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Greenville, SC
Subject: Which bike to buy??? Need opinions
I know, I asked for "opinions", so I'm willing and ready to take the abuse!!

Anyway, I have the opportunity to purchase a tri bike, and am torn between two different used ones. 

Bike #1:  2004 Cervelo Dual, alum. frame, all Ultegra, excellent condition  $600
Bike #2:  2006 Scott Plasma CRi Pro, all carbon, all Ultegra, Mavic Krysium wheels, exc condition  $1200

Now I know this is not apples and oranges, so that's why I want opinions.  I know Cervelo is the most sought after frame in the tri world, but this model is an aluminum frame.  Is has excellent parts on it, though, but will I regret not going carbon??  Will I ever REALLY notice a difference in the wheels and the frames?  Each price is a heck of a deal, and if anything, I think the Scott is a better price deal, but it is at the outermost end of my price range.

Thanks for any help!!!

2009-12-16 8:25 AM
in reply to: #2561661

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Champion
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Knoxville area
Subject: RE: Which bike to buy??? Need opinions
those two bikes will fit quite different. The first most important thing is to figure out which one fits YOU better.

I look at it in three steps when it comes to picking between two tri bikes.

1.) Which fits ME
2.) Which do I like better
3.) Which is cheaper

If it fits, the dual is all you will NEED, so the question moves to what you WANT.
(Plus... an extra $600 can go a long way in upgrades if you know where to look)
2009-12-16 11:30 AM
in reply to: #2561661

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Master
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Subject: RE: Which bike to buy??? Need opinions

Ride them. You may find that you like the less expensive one better. If you like the more expensive one more it gets more complicated, at least it would for me.

2009-12-16 12:00 PM
in reply to: #2561661

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Master
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Guilford, CT
Subject: RE: Which bike to buy??? Need opinions
If it was me and both bikes fit me well enough, I'd get the Plasma.  Just because I know myself well enough that if I got the 04 with an aluminum frame I'd be wanting a new bike within a few months because I was riding a 6 year old bike.  The Plasma would probably satisfy me a couple of years (or at least a season).  You will always think about the Plasma that you could have gotten but didn't as you ride your old Cervelo   Then you will be thinking of trying to sell the old Cervelo and be looking on eBay for another deal on a used bike that is newer.

Are the Ultegra gruppos on the bikes the same year too?  Upgraded in 09 or something?  I'd take that into consideration.


....Plasma, plasma, plasma.  It even sounds cool.  And.....not everyone has one so I give it a bonus point.

2009-12-16 1:36 PM
in reply to: #2561661

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Champion
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Subject: RE: Which bike to buy??? Need opinions
Do they both have the same size wheels? I think the 2004 Dual micght come with 650c wheels. Not sure about the 2006 Plasma.

2009-12-16 1:39 PM
in reply to: #2562656

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Subject: RE: Which bike to buy??? Need opinions
jmk-brooklyn - 2009-12-16 2:36 PM Do they both have the same size wheels? I think the 2004 Dual micght come with 650c wheels. Not sure about the 2006 Plasma.


Both bikes have the 700cc wheels.

Thanks for the replies everyone!!!  Still not sure which way to go.  I'm a bit of a miser and believe in the "need" vs "want" idea.  But, I also know that I could end up wanting to upgrade in the near future, and with the Scott, I would probably never have to upgrade.  But, I've also heard that the Cervelo is all I'll ever need.

2009-12-16 1:56 PM
in reply to: #2562667

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Expert
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Bedford, NH
Subject: RE: Which bike to buy??? Need opinions
As everyone else has said, top priority is comfort.  If one feels more comfortable than the other, you have your answer.  However, if you like both, I would go with the Scott.  The carbon frame should be a much smoother ride than the aluminum. 

When I got into the tri's, I decided to go with a lower end bike because I didn't want to invest too much without knowing whether I was going to stick with it or not.  I guess I don't really regret doing that, but I just ordered a new bike and it would have been cheaper for me if I went that route in the first place. 
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