2007 5.2 vs 2009 4.5 Trek Madone

[newyorker1212]

Can anyone here help me decide between these two bikes? I have wanted a carbon frame road bike for quite some time now. After some research, I have narrowed my choices down to a Trek Madone. The only decision that remains is which one of these bikes should I go with:

5.2 Discovery Channel Edition 2007 with the OCLV Carbon frame and full Ultegra = $2,100
(the dealer I am buying from has this last one sitting around for the past year, and is not willing to move anymore on the price).

verses

4.5 2009 with the TCT Carbon frame, Shimano 105, Bontrager Race = $1,980

Basically, I am in a toss between the better equipped & better (OCLV) carbon frame 5.2 madone, which forces me to settle for the 07 style body and the dated Discovery graphics or move down a knotch to the 4.5 series which has the new body and the "improved" technology, but has the inferior TCT carbon.

Unfortunately, my budget does not allow me to go for an 2009 5.2 and it looks like in order for me to get a full carbon frame I have to spend around 2 grand.

Also, something to consider is resale value; if I can just get over the new bike bug and deal with the "disco" graphics of the 07, the 5.2 madone might give me a better resale value. Its priced hasn't changed in a year, and the dealer is telling me its a "collectors" item and will retain its value in the future, (even increase).

All things considered, ride, resale value, etc... which of these two bikes mentioned above do you think I should buy?

[b2hbm]

My advice would be to ignore the ages of the bikes. In less than 6 months the 2009 frame is going to be yesterday's fashion as they bring out a new one, especially if they go with Lance and his new team. In fact 2009 bikes are likely to start getting discounted in a few months, so the 4.5 could drop even more in 3 months time.

So, which do you think is the best bike ? You seem to have a preference for the 5.2 already (agreed), so it's the groupset & wheels. The Ultegra is likely to be better finished although it's going to change gear & brake just as well as the 105 kit does; I have both and it's only the aesthetics that make any difference to me, I can't tell from riding.

Again a personal view, but bikes of this age aren't going to be collectors items for many years (if at all) and unless they've been ridden by Lance, they will all depreciate madly. So the "collectors item" is just sales spin.

Personally I'd buy the one you like the looks of and ignore the fashion gurus. To my mind there's a bit of class in going your own way,

[anonymous-user]

ignore potential resale value, carbon bikes suffer the same depreciation as any other bike, perhaps even more so on account of them being somewhat niche and any damage being harder to spot.

go with the one you want, bikes have reduced in spec over the last few years in comparson to what your money would have got in the past.

personally, i can notice the difference between ultegra and 105, its minimal but whereas 105 is smooth, ultegra just glides across the cassette.