Advice on upgrade to bike components

holster · Joined: 15 Sep 2014 Posts: 42

Been doing half's for the past three years and a full in 2017. Been using a Felt Z95 for the past 3 years just on the turbo trainer and occasional outdoor ride too.

Purchased a second hand BMC Time Machine and had bike fit for that too but have since sold the bike...leaving just the Felt.

Am going to do one more half in 2019 and been trying to decide over upgrading or buying a new bike.

Here's the question:
-With TT bars on the Felt I feel so much more comfortable and match times on a TT bike. Appreciate it's an old 'basic' bike, but just feel so comfortable on it.
-I had been looking at upgrading to a Giant Propel (c) £1500
-Or, had been thinking of just upgrading groupset (it's on a 18 speed Sora at the moment)

-If I three £300 on a second hand groupset, can I buy a 10 speed or am I limited to 9 speed cassette?
-Am I being ridiculous spending £300 upgrading a bike that was £600 new?

Looking for any sort of advice....on the one hand I've got 'new-bike-itus' and the other is thinking 'I don't really need a new bike'

Jorgan · Posted: Wed Dec 12, 2018 2:53 pm Post subject:

You're doing "one more Half" in 2019. Does this mean you're planning to go back to short distances, or giving-up altogether? If it's the latter, obviously don't bother upgrading! Very Happy

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Chrace · Joined: 28 Apr 2010 Posts: 2910 Location: Eating a Yorkie

Is the 9 speed knackered? Would you be any faster on 10 speed?

Could you spend the money on a new aero helmet, aero clothing or similar instead?

Sounds like you found your perfect bike match already, and comfort beats almost all of the fancy stuff you can buy (imho).

Bling doesn't necessarily make you faster. Even if I like to believe it does.
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Jorgan · Posted: Wed Dec 12, 2018 4:02 pm Post subject:

Still on 10sp mechanical here; they were winning the TdF on it 10 years ago. When you're in the desired gear, it doesn't matter how you got there, it's down to your watts & CdA.
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Whisk · Joined: 09 Jun 2005 Posts: 8739 Location: London

Upgrading the groupset will probably make the bike lighter and the shifting should be better, but I doubt if it will make you noticeably faster.

Speed improvements are more likely from making aero improvements.
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holster · Joined: 15 Sep 2014 Posts: 42

Thanks for the replies so far. Really useful.

Definitely one more year but I’ve said that for the past three years....so not totally outruling another Ironman at some point.

Recognise too that upgrading groupset from 9 speed is likely going to lead to a new wheel purchase too as space on back is extremely limited.

Looking at it:
-£200-300 on new groupset
-£50 to fit (mates rates on bike shop mechanic Smile

)
-£300-400 on some second hand mavic carbones

There’s £600 right there

I know there’s not actual correct answer out there....and fully recognise other gains out there (have started S+C and pilates).

$60m question is....is it worth the extra £600 to future secure the frame by buying new.

mattsurf · Joined: 28 Sep 2016 Posts: 852 Location: Zug, Switzerland

A shimano R7000 with an 11-34 cassette should fit on your 9 speed hub. The 11-34 used a mountain bike spider which is narrower than a road cassette spider (however, I would check with Shimano first)

For 399 from Evans you get a full groupset (including brakes)

I have not tried the new 105 groupset, however the new Ultegra groupset is superb, and I am assuming that the 105 is pretty similar, just a little heavier

It will not make you any quicker, however, it will make riding a much more pleasant experience, with a nice wide range of gears, precise shifting every time and improved braking

Jorgan · Posted: Thu Dec 13, 2018 8:18 am Post subject:

If you're talking about £600+ then I'd start thinking about a second-hand bike.
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JaRok2300 · Joined: 01 May 2014 Posts: 461 Location: Worcester, UK

I put 10 speed Tiagra on my bike (wanting to get them all on interchangeable wheels from a mixture of SRAM & Campag) and have been really happy with it.

About £250 for full groupset including BB, cables, everything you need. 10sp will also fit your 9sp hubs so no worries with wheels either. With 12sp on it's way (or here already) I've given up on future proofing as nothing seems to stand still long enough including axle standards for disc brakes.

I'm happy with 10sp, I won't go any faster with 11 or 12 so as long as I can still get parts I won't be swapping any time soon. However the same could be said for your 9 speed!

jibberjim · Joined: 15 Aug 2008 Posts: 8392 Location: Kingston

iwaters · Joined: 06 Sep 2016 Posts: 448

Sora to 105 aint going to save you much weight

| 105 5800 | Sora 3500 |
-------------------+----------+-----------+
Levers | 486g | 496g |
Brakes | 388g | 357g |
Front Derailleur | 89g | 105g |
Rear Derailleur | 234g | 246g |
Crankset | | 844g |
Crankset (with BB) | 808g | |
Cassettes | 269g | 343g |
Chain | 257g | 270g |
-------------------+----------+-----------+
Total | 2531g | 2661g |

130g is a small poo.

That money can be better spent on some aero items, decent suit, helmet, wheels, even low-crr decent tyres will save a bit etc.

The oonly proper answer is N+1. You NEED a new bike Wink

holster · Joined: 15 Sep 2014 Posts: 42

Most sincere thanks to you all for your wisdom.

A weekend to think / decide me feels!

mattsurf · Joined: 28 Sep 2016 Posts: 852 Location: Zug, Switzerland