Road Bike Dilema

[HoldYaLine]

Hey guys, first post on the forum,

I have a dilemma, i have 4 grand to drop on a new road bike and i have two i am looking at

The Giant TCR Avanced 0 (Ultegra di2 Non aero) - 3500, (usually 4 grand but i got a deal at a local bike shop)

The Trek Madone 5.2 (Ultegra Mechanical - very aero - 3,500

So the question is aero and mechanical ultegra or non aero and di2

Any responses would be appreciated thanks

Josh

[JustJames]

Non aero Di2.

Di2 is the future.

Aero is only relevant if you're planning on TT'ing.

If you have to ask whether you need to be more aero, you prolly don't need to.

[drnick79]

Di2 is great, much more useful!

S

[antipodean]

Can you explain what makes one bike aero and the other not and how this will effect the ride?

[jacks1071]

I have Di2 on my race bike and I must be in the minority but when I replace this bike it will be with 11sp Mechanical Shimano.

Initially I thought WOW, this is great. Since then I have grown to dislike the lack of feel in the buttons, its also heavy compared to the current mechanical equilivants.

I do like that you never have to change or adjust cables and you don't have to do any manual trimming on the FD which is about the only benefits I can think of. The battery placement is plain ugly unless you spend the money to have it fitted inside the frame which then adds charging complexity unless you goto the further expense of an external charging port.

Yes it will change gears under a lot of load but this isn't something I do anyway, and if done it is at the expense of your driveline components.

Overall for me anyway electronic is hardly a game changer, it offers no performance advantage and given the price premium over mechanical with limited resources I'd put the saved dollars into other components like a better frame/wheel combo.

[boss]

I have a 2011 Trek Madone 5.2 and it's an amazing bike. The 2013 ones look real nice with internal brakes.

[HoldYaLine]

thanks guys, will probably be going non aero di2 (TCR advanced 0 2013). I felt like aero wasn't needed. Just need a light bike that shifts nicely. does anyone have experience with Tcr advanced bikes? I am going to test ride it soon but do any of you have opinions on the line or any other reccomendations?