Is the chainlink a good place to ask about high end road bikes?

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Permalink Reply by Michael A on August 23, 2011 at 1:39am

High end road bikes have come a  long way since 06, while I am sure this is a decent entry level road race bike, for $1500 he could get into a nice bike with more modern parts and features.

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Permalink Reply by S on August 23, 2011 at 8:09am

Yeah, if it's the older 9 speed ultegra/dura ace components (which it might be based on the age), it's not really worth that much.  The carbon should be okay, but I'd just check it out to make sure that there's no delaminations or dents in it and that the carbon-aluminium bonds is still okay.

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Permalink Reply by Far'arned Retrogrumpalunkus #63 on August 23, 2011 at 9:07am

He did say the bike was NOS -not used.  While it is possible the frame could have been dented from poor storage practices or other bike-shop shenanigans it would be highly unlikely that the carbon would be delaminating or the bonds failing unless there was a serious defect in manufacturing -but it wouldn't be a bad idea to check anyhow. 

 

I'd be more worried about WHY this bike sat around so long new and unsold.  Is it a weird sizing issue or were there other issues with this particular frame/model that had the buyers of such high-end bikes passing it up. 

 

6 years is a long time in modern tech.  I'm thinking  only 30% off of new retail seems a bit lame to me.  It is no longer state of the art and it's probably not yet (if ever) collectible.    If one did research and found out how much the components were worth on the market and then how much the frame and wheelset might go for one might have a better grasp on what the bike is really worth

 

 

 

 

 

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Permalink Reply by Don Wingler on August 23, 2011 at 11:30am

Thank you for the advice and things to consider- I am new to road bikes.  My girlfriend bought a road bike and I can not keep up with her on my current mtb.  I am looking for a good deal on a high quality bike.  The bike is 58 cm,  new-unscuffed, 10 speed Ultegra/dura ace with carbon cranks also.  I am not sure of the wheel set.  The bike store is a small store in a small town that focuses on mountain bikes and college student commuters.  It is also the only Masi in the store which focuses on Trek.

I am really trying to figure out if the older 10 speed Ultegra components make up for the older frame.  If I buy a new bike with Ultegra components it seems to really price the bike a lot higher than 1500. I also really like the odd burnt orange color, but that is not as important to me.  In the future, maybe I buy a new or older frame that I like keeping the components. 

Curious if I am thinking rationally, or if I should just buy a different bike?

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Permalink Reply by ad on August 23, 2011 at 12:48pm

I would say modern 2011 105-level parts are almost definitely better and lighter than 2006-Ultegra level parts.  That said, I would say a 2006 10-speed Ultegra level drivetrain is probably still better than a 2011 9-speed Tiagra drivetrain if you start looking at other bike options.  Although a 2011 Ultegra-equipped bike is probably well over $1500 from a local bike store, you could probably find a bike equipped with all 105-level compnents for around that price if you look around a bit.  For example, Jamis sells this bike for $1350: http://www.jamisbikes.com/usa/thebikes/road/ventura/11_venturarace_.... 

 

The crank on the Jamis isn't carbon or really even high end (probably weakest point on the bike), but the aluminum/carbon frame is probably lighter than the '06 Masi and the 2011 105 components on the Jamis are good enough for the vast majority of people out there (and definitely as good as 2006 Ultegra).  The wheelset is probably nicer on the Masi as well, but the point is you could get a similar modern road bike with a very decent component spec for around the same price.  I would also imagine some solid 2010 and 2011 bikes will be going on sale soon.  I would try to snag one of those equipped at the 105 level.             

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Permalink Reply by S on August 23, 2011 at 1:50pm

I don't think you have 10 speed ultegra components unless the bike has been retrofitted. I think Shimano introduced 10sp ultegra with the 6600 series and that was in 2009 or 2010.  If the bike was upgraded with ultegra 6600 stuff then it might be worth it. 

 

Just as a comparison, you can get a pretty much full brand new ultegra 6700 groupset for around $1000.  If you add in a moderately cheap carbon fiber frame, wheels, and labor, you could probably do a complete bike at around $2000-2300 or so.  I'm not sure a 7 year old bike with the specs mentioned, even if it's NOS, is worth $1500.  It's probably still a great ride since ultegra components are fairly nice but you might be able to get better values on a more recent bike since the new model years are coming in soon and bike shops will be selling their old stock on clearance.

Don Wingler said:

I am really trying to figure out if the older 10 speed Ultegra components make up for the older frame.  If I buy a new bike with Ultegra components it seems to really price the bike a lot higher than 1500. I also really like the odd burnt orange color, but that is not as important to me.  In the future, maybe I buy a new or older frame that I like keeping the components. 

Curious if I am thinking rationally, or if I should just buy a different bike?

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Permalink Reply by ad on August 23, 2011 at 1:57pm

Quick search on the web shows 10-speed Ultegra was around by 06. 

S said:

I don't think you have 10 speed ultegra components unless the bike has been retrofitted. I think Shimano introduced 10sp ultegra with the 6600 series and that was in 2009 or 2010.  If the bike was upgraded with ultegra 6600 stuff then it might be worth it. 

 

Just as a comparison, you can get a pretty much full brand new ultegra 6700 groupset for around $1000.  If you add in a moderately cheap carbon fiber frame, wheels, and labor, you could probably do a complete bike at around $2000-2300 or so.  I'm not sure a 7 year old bike with the specs mentioned, even if it's NOS, is worth $1500.  It's probably still a great ride since ultegra components are fairly nice but you might be able to get better values on a more recent bike since the new model years are coming in soon and bike shops will be selling their old stock on clearance.

Don Wingler said:

I am really trying to figure out if the older 10 speed Ultegra components make up for the older frame.  If I buy a new bike with Ultegra components it seems to really price the bike a lot higher than 1500. I also really like the odd burnt orange color, but that is not as important to me.  In the future, maybe I buy a new or older frame that I like keeping the components. 

Curious if I am thinking rationally, or if I should just buy a different bike?

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Permalink Reply by S on August 23, 2011 at 3:50pm

Ah, my mistake.  The bike I got in 2008 or 2009 had 9sp 105 and I didn't get 10sp ultegra until a year or two later so I assumed that ultegra wasn't 10sp till later.

 

ad said:

Quick search on the web shows 10-speed Ultegra was around by 06. 

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Permalink Reply by mark stetson on August 24, 2011 at 12:28pm

You can get a 2011 Windsor Knight with Ultegra 6700 shifters and derailleurs, 105 chain and cassette, a TruVative triple crank and BB, and Vuelta wheels for $900 at bikesdirect.  Plain 6061 frame, but I doubt the carbon stays on the Masi make a lot of difference.  You could easily move the components over to a used CAAD9 or carbon frame of your choice, and still keep the cost under $1500.  Don't like the triple?  Look at the Gravity Pro20.  Same basic setup with an FSA Gossamer compact crank. 

You may not like the idea of  a steel frame, but the Mercier Serpens is made from Reynolds 853, will provide a nice ride, and will probably outlast you.  It's $1300 with a full Ultegra 6600 triple group and Ritchey wheels.  A friend of mine has one of these and loves the ride.

I don't mean to be a shill for bikesdirect, and there are certainly reasons to consider buying from a local shop.  These are just the cheapest new Ultegra bikes I happen to know of.

 

 

      

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Permalink Reply by dan brown on August 24, 2011 at 1:03pm

this is so ironic of a coincidence...I feel compelled to share.

 

In 2006 I bought a raleigh competition double with full ultegra from a bike shop in indiana where I knew the owner. it is a 9-speed; and 10-speed was just coming out. the bike was a 2004 model year; but never owned or ridden. it was a 59 cm and most folks want 58 or 60cm. it fit me like a glove. I took my older son to that town to look at a college...had NO Intention of buying a bike (I had a great tri bike at the time) and walked in to kill 3 hours and joked to the owner (Rich) - do you have anything my size that is a good deal (my tri bike was a 56cm and too small - but I tweaked it to *kind of* fit me).  He said he had been meaning to send it back to raleigh; but was too lazy to box it up and ship it. at this point - I was like a shark sensing blood in the water. I asked him what the price was :

 

MSRP was $2299.00 (still a good deal). it was all aaluminum with carbon threadless fork, and full ultegra.

ready to race.

 

He had it marked down to $1699.00 (too much for me).

 

He said I could have it for $1000.00. since I was out of state; I got the sales tax free.

 

I had a better wheelset / cog / tires on my Rek; so I ended up selling the wheels / tires / cogset to a friend for $350 (they were bontragers); so I ended up with a great bike for $650.00

 

However - had it been older than 2 years; I would have been a bit leary about the bearings, etc sitting around that long without being ridden.  moral  of the story - shop around. there are great deals out there.

 

just my $.02

 

DB

 

 

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