Groupset Upgrade?

furiousox

So....

Would it be worthwhile putting

this groupset

http://www.merlincycles.co.uk/campagnolo-and-shimano-groupsets/2009-campagnolo-veloce-groupset.html


onto this bike

http://www.bianchi.com/en/products2010/Road_C2C_Y0B32.aspx


Would there be any noticeable difference or could the money be better spent (on wheels perhaps?)

PS Can't afford Campy Centaur upgrade right now......or a carbon frame!:o

Chips Lovell

Xenon isn't a bad groupset at all. If you're upgrading to 2009 Veloce, the main difference you're getting is:

1. Ultrashift shifters, which allow for multiple upshifts as well as multiple downshifts.

2. Somewhat lighter components, but the difference won't be massive.

In my book, you'd be spending €340 for better shifters, which isn't really worth it. I'd also make sure that it really is the 2009 Veloce, since it is the older groupset in the picture, which had the same shifter mechanism as Xenon.

I reckon you'd probably be better off holding onto the money and buying wheels. I know someone who has the same bike (albeit with Shimano) who replaced the stock wheels with these and says it's made a massive difference.

furiousox

el tonto wrote: »

Xenon isn't a bad groupset at all. If you're upgrading to 2009 Veloce, the main difference you're getting is:

1. Ultrashift shifters, which allow for multiple upshifts as well as multiple downshifts.

2. Somewhat lighter components, but the difference won't be massive.

In my book, you'd be spending €340 for better shifters, which isn't really worth it. I'd also make sure that it really is the 2009 Veloce, since it is the older groupset in the picture, which had the same shifter mechanism as Xenon.

I reckon you'd probably be better off holding onto the money and buying wheels. I know someone who has the same bike (albeit with Shimano) who replaced the stock wheels with these and says it's made a massive difference.

Thanks el tonto.
Note that on my bike the crank is made by fsa and the brake callipers are made by rc.
The chain, sprocket and wheel hubs are also 'non campy'

The only campy components on the bike seem to be the front/rear derailleurs and the shifters which is why l'm looking at changing the entire groupset.
Having said that, it all works fine and l'm happy with the bike as it is.

Also, forgive the question but l've never done a wheel upgrade before so what difference could l expect?
Smoother ride, better power transfer?

Quigs Snr

I wouldn't do it.. For Centaur it might be a worthwhile upgrade, but even at that you won't notice a huge difference and the weight savings are minimal.

Wheel upgrades would be better. If you get a light stiff wheelset it will change the way your bike feels and trim a nice bit of weight, I couldn't say they will make you any faster though. At around the 400 euro mark if thats your budget perhaps the Shimano RS80 or something like that are worth a look.

I'd say hammer the crap out of the bike as it is right now, no point in getting shiny new parts for the the long cold, mucky winter. Perhaps in spring with maybe a few more quid in your pocket decide whats important to you...

All that being said I am a total hypocrit and am currently stocking up on new parts and looking for a Cervelo Soloist Team / S1 as a winter training bike because the b*stards here put the idea in my head !

alfalad

Quigs Snr wrote: »

All that being said I am a total hypocrit and am currently stocking up on new parts and looking for a Cervelo Soloist Team / S1 as a winter training bike because the b*stards here put the idea in my head !

The idea was already in your head, the people here just agreed and encouraged you that it was a good idea!!;)

furiousox

Hmmm....get the veloce crank and a nice pair of fulcrum 5's perhaps?

http://www.cyclesuperstore.ie/shop/pc/viewPrd.asp?idcategory=0&idproduct=4511

Chips Lovell

furiousox wrote: »

Note that on my bike the crank is made by fsa and the brake callipers are made by rc.

I saw that alright. Brakes aren't that complicated a component and unless the current ones aren't satisfactory, there's little point in switching. As for the cranks, the FSA ones aren't that much different weightwise from the Veloce. I like Campagnolo's Ultra Torque cranks alright, mainly because the setup is very easy and you've no faffing around with bolts loosening. But if you've no problem with the FSA ones, then there's little point in going to Veloce.

furiousox wrote: »

The chain, sprocket and wheel hubs are also 'non campy'

That's pretty normal to be honest.

furiousox wrote: »

The only campy components on the bike seem to be the front/rear derailleurs and the shifters which is why l'm looking at changing the entire groupset.

They're the ones that really matter. I think the lower end Campag stuff is quite decent and in my opinion you won't notice a significant improvement, the shifters aside, unless you go up as far as Chorus.

furiousox wrote: »

Also, forgive the question but l've never done a wheel upgrade before so what difference could l expect?
Smoother ride, better power transfer?

Smoother hubs and stiffer all around.

furiousox

Thanks again el tonto, food for thought

New wheels it is then! :pac:

furiousox

Sorry about the bump but...

As the seatpost, stem and brake callipers on the bike are made by rc l was wondering does anyone know if rc is a subsidiary of bianchi?

(like bontrager is a subsidiary of Trek)

thanks