Need some bike advice. For last 1.5 years, been riding a Salsa Warroad - basically an endurance road bike that can fit 700x35 or 650bx47 with two wheelsets - I was riding 700x30 for road and 650x47 for gravel. For groupset, I swapped a 2x Rival AXS from a Tarmac onto it and even after switching chainrings to 46/33, I really struggled in some gravel events with big climbs.
So just bought a Lauf Seigla Race Transmission with a 1x 40t Force with 10-52t XO. Which I’m really excited about for gravel.
But now I’m torn on what to do with the Warroad. Should I get a pure road aero frameset and swap the Rival AXS to it? Or just keep the Warroad as my road bike? Buying a complete bike isn’t in the budget after buying the Lauf, so it’s either keep the Warroad or get a frameset to transfer groupset/wheels. Thoughts? Goal for this would be just some free speed based on better aero for keeping up on group rides / events.
41yo m, 242ftp, 200lbs (would probably gain much more by losing weight than worrying about bikes), etc, don’t compete just do some events and group rides, etc.
I would absolutely get a road frame / bike…if your budget allows it. The Warroad will always have a lot of compromises to make it an efficient road machine.
Take a good look at the second-hand market. Lots of good deals to be had…you may even be able to find a full bike for what you have in mind for a frameset.
What do you stand to gain with a new road bike? Happiness? Go for it
Think you have to? Do you?
If you are happy on the Salsa, why not stay happy on it? If you are getting the itch and need a justification, then the only one I can give you is just make yourself as happy as you can in your budget.
Expected this to be a burly steel thing making for an easy answer but now I’ve seen one, if you are comfortable on it and happy with it, keep it.
And have you maxxed it out?
If you want ‘free speed’ and want to use it only on the road, see if you can change the position.
Narrow/aero profile handlebars, more aggresive stem / less spacers, etc.
If you want to spend a few dollars, stick some 40-50mm deep section wheels on with fast tyres.
Mostly FOMO of aero/speed advantages in group rides. If this was only for riding solo, I definitely wouldn’t do it. But we have local gravel and road group rides - and I struggle to hold wheels sometimes. If I can get some free speed, I’ll take it. But I know it has more to do with body aero position, training, etc.
Upgrading a frame is generally pretty poor value in terms of aero gains. Rough order of bang-for-buck speed upgrades might be: more aggressive position, aero clothing and helmet, narrow bars w/ aero tops, aero wheels w/ appropriate tires, THEN frame.
Are you maxed out position-wise on the Warroad? Are your bars slammed, stem long, saddle pretty far forward? If so a more aero frame might help. If not, you’d probably be disappointed in the amount of “free speed” you experience with a new frame.
I’m certainly never one to dissuade N+1 bike purchases if your budget allows, but it sounds like you do have some budgetary limitations. If it were me, I’d focus on your position on the bike and your fitness as the best way to keep up with fast group rides. (Who am I kidding, I’d probably buy a new bike. BUT ALSO the other stuff!)
With budget constraints I’d keep the warroad and then later on if you feel the need get a road frame set you really want rather than one restricted by budget.
I’d set the Warroad up for 100% road use (light wheels, road tires, adjust gearing, adjust position on bike, etc). Ride it like that for a season and see if there’s anything you want to improve.
Are you racing on the road? If not, aero frame isn’t that big a deal (and even then, it’s a marginal gain) - you can make the biggest gains in helmet, body position, and clothing.
The main thing a road frame might get you over the Warroad is “quicker” handling. It’ll probably have a shorter wheelbase, steeper HT, etc.
There are many good points made throughout the thread. The Warroad is designed more like a gravel bike so will have slower more stable steering and a longer wheelbase. Neither of these attributes will prevent you from holding someone’s wheel. Depending on your flexibility it does have a more upright position due to the long headtube which is ultimately going to limit how low you can make it, limiting your aero ability but if you do not have the flexibility to ride it more aggressively it will not matter. I do agree there are other things that will help you get faster but equipment really is not the first place to look anyway. Increase your fitness and or get leaner and your speed will go up.