I still have my 1985 steel 12 speed. I will convert it over to the 700mm wheels as it has 27 inch wheels (can't find tires easily), and then convert the drive train over so it is a 36 speed (three in front, 12 in rear) as it will make a heck of a touring bike. Steel is a smoother ride, carbon is a more responsive ride, and due to the lower weight (at least 10 pounds lighter on my carbon bikes) it is easier for this fat boy to ride up the hills.
Today I put a lamb roast in the oven with McCormick "Montreal Steak" rub on it. I pulled it from the oven at 153 degrees internal; it is now resting.
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Old bike is an Orbea Orca 61cm frame (yes I am tall). 2013 model bought brand new in 2015 for 20.00 over cost (1700.00 total for a bike that retailed at 3500.00). I upgraded the wheels to Rolf Prima wheels (1000.00 for the wheelset, but I don't have to take them in monthly for spoke replacement and wheel truing due to my weight of 350 pounds), upgraded the bars to 46cm wide 35mm diameter Deda carbon fiber bars, Shimano Dura-Ace (racing line) pedals, Stages power meter (left crank), currently running a Fizik saddle (have run many saddles over the years) that is 3d printed, and Maxxis brand tubeless tires at 25mm wide. This bike has an Ultegra 11 speed drivetrain (11 gears on rear cassette) with a 50-34 chainring in the front. overall somewhere between 4000-5000.00 in this bike.
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New Bike is a 2023 Bianchi Infinito (thru axles) 61cm frame. Reform saddle (custom moldable to my rear end.... 400.00 online about 250.00 from my bike shop), Rolf Prima wheelset (1200.00), disk brakes, Stages dual side power meter (measures watt output from both left and right leg) with 52/36 chainring in the front, 12 speed Ultegra drivetrain, Deda 35mm diameter 46cm wide bars. I have 8500.00 into this build
Drive Train is Di2 electronic shifting
For me the expense is a medical cost as cycling helps maintain my diabetes and mental health.
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The Counterveil technology of the Bianchi (the way the carbon fiber is laid) greatly reduces the vibration from the road as steel absorbs most of the vibration, Aluminum makes you feel more vibration, and carbon fiber makes you feel all the vibration (the difference between riding in a Cadillac or a Corvette).
If you think 8500.00 is expensive just know the bikes on the pro-tours can be as much as 25000.00, and those are designed with planned obsolescence as do many cell phones now days as the bike and parts manufacturers want current year gear on the tours and not last year's stuff....