but i’m not someone who would appreciate the difference btw the two. Still, the former has its own karma already. Also, my impression of pros is that they do things to their bikes on the assumption that someone will give them another.

Or, put the SL2 on your homeowner’s policy.

I would go with the latter regardless. The SL2 is simply a better deal anyway.

For a (humorous but true) confirmation on why retail prices are a crock, check out this

new bikes are better than used bikes – especially a used bike that’s been raced hard. also, warranties are nice.

Get a Steel Independent Fabrication

…about a SRAM bike vs. a D/A bike?

I think you gotta go for the SRAM Vanna. I’m diein’ to try that stuff. If you go with the D/A bike, you’re riding a grppo that’s already played out. What’s the resale gonna be on D/A bike next year? Bubcus! That’s what!

Have fun you SOB. I’m completely jealous. You’re gettin’ a new bike!

There’s not THAT much difference between the frames.

(And, to D-cat): I rode steel bikes exclusively (with the exception of some time on my wife’s original Klein Quantum) until I got my Isaac. (Old Trek 531, Razesa slx, Scapin, and a Masi 853, if you must know). Carbon is a better frame material. Unless you crash the wrong way.

So, if you wind up being sucked into the “it was a pro bike” lure: the key question is not “was it ever crashed?” The key question is" if it was crashed, what kind of crash was it? Slide out in a crit? Probably not a big deal. T-bone a curb? Oops, deal off.

seems like there’s a consensus. And not what I expected. With cars, I think it’s hard to justify a new one unless you plan to keep it forever. The depreciation is just too quick.
Given that I’m on a 2-year bike rotation schedule, I figured the same would play here. But the warranty issue is a big one. Our team was sponsored by Specialized this past year and I can think of at least 4 guys who needed replacements (not crash-related)…and none are big.
Anyone want to argue the contrary?

sell them at bike stores and they always seem to mention to the customers that because of the Zertz inserts, they feel they are riding on a flat until they get used to it.

Ok, so I called the seller, a guy I know pretty well. I explained my hesitation and he told me to pass on it and go with my team deal on the SL. Very classy on his part.
In any case, his take was that the loss of the warranty wasn’t worth it. And he says that he likes the ride of the SL better anyway. But he did point out that this bike is a crash replacement that he’s only had since early August. So, if it wasn’t for my awesome team deal, his bike would be a steal…

So, thanks everyone for your input.

but I’m not flyweight..

and save everyone here (and their households) a lot of stress . . .