Bike Serviced - Groupset query

micar

I have a 2010 Felt AR4 which I've had for just over 2 years.

I brought it into the shop I purchased it in for a service. I needed to do this as I was heading away and needed the bike in good condition.

I have a query over the groupset. The specs are as follows:
Shimano Ultegra STI; Ultegra braze-on front derailleur; Ultegra rear derailleur; Ultegra 53/39T crankset; Ultegra chain, 11-25T cassette

The shop replaced the cassette (€85), chain (€40) and small ring on the crankset (€50).

I've been having problems since. The bike feels much heavier to ride particularly on the hills which normally I'm great at. At the weekend, I was being dropped on the hills which pissed me off.

I did bring it back into them the following Wednesday after getting it back but they would have needed a few days with it to sort it out. I had to take it back as I needed it for the following Friday. They claim the issue is with the back derailleur. I see no problem with it.

Looking at the cassette, they put on a ultegra 11-23T.

The small ring on the crankset they put on is a Shimano S3-x 105 39B.

Surely they should have put on a 11-25T cassette rather than a 11-23T cassette. Looking on wiggle, I could get it for €53. I was charged €80.

In relation to the small ring on the crankset, is there an issue with using a shimano 105 on an ultegra groupset other than weight.

When I cycling, there is creaking noise coming from the crankset. The guy in the shop said that I has to go with the bearings and that the wheels needed to be replaced. I did not have this issue before I brought it in. Would the 105 small ring be the issue.

Since, I've got the bike back I've done about 600km. I don't expect that they'd replace the components as per the spec of the bike without charging me.

Just need some advice

Tonyandthewhale

Those prices you quoted sound very expensive but then again I'm not in the habit of paying for labour (just parts) so I don't really know how much you should expect to pay to have a cassette installed for example.

There is no issue with putting a 105 chainring on an ultegra crankset as far as I know (it might be slightly heavier but not so much that you'd notice on its own really) but if you had an 11-25 cassette previously then they should have replaced it with similar or asked your opinion on the matter because cassette ratios are matters of personal preference and they shouldn't just assume you'd be happy with the change.

I'd also be concerned with a bike shop that you need to replace the your wheels because your bears are worn. Surely the bearings can be replaced or regreased?

1750W

I've been having problems since. The bike feels much heavier to ride particularly on the hills which normally I'm great at. At the weekend, I was being dropped on the hills which pissed me off.


There is no way the weight difference of those components are causing you to get dropped. Have you checked that the b/b is spinning freely and that nothing is rubbing?

dave_o_brien

As 1750W said, it cannot possibly be down to the component differences. Are the breaks aligned correctly (as these could have been moved in storage post service)? Is the bb spinning free? Are your wheel hubs spinning freely?

Also, there would be no problem using a 105 chainring with an Ultegra set up. The weight penalty would be probably a handful of grams, absolutely insignificant, and they will work fine with your existing set up.

By all means, bring the bike back to the shop, but they seem to have replaced all the parts with quality parts of a similar standard. Maybe their work was poor, but certainly wouldn't get overly critical over there selection of parts.

Pawlie

Climbing with the 11/23 is the only major difference and not the weight of components imo,you where probably so used to tearing up a climb in the 25 or the cog below and when you went up on the 23 you found it alot harder,I bet your cadence was alot lower on the 23 cassette than your norm.

No harm having a 25 but I would keep the 11/23 and try perserve with it,its a super cassette for racing when they are no severe climbs,

smacl

Your difficulties on the hills are due to been given the wrong cassette. 39-23 as your lowest gear is a tough call on hills unless your fit and light, I certainly wouldn't fancy it.

It's well worth learning how to make these minor changes yourself. They're easy enough and you'll end up saving time and money in the long term.

AstraMonti

Does your crank spin freely? Does your back wheel do the same? They might have overtighten something..

ford2600

Bring back to shop get them to replace cassette with what was on originally.
Get them to check bb and hubs as other posters have said.
Buy a few basic tools, work stand, and use park tools/you tube etc and do yourself in future. It's very basic work.

You've have new chain, cassette and chain ring replaced in time your over and back to shop.
If you buy before you need parts, when on sale, you'll do it for probably 1/3 of what you paid.

yop

Probably having a 23 on it, had the same issue on hills and they were killing me, I use a 25 when I know there are big hills. Though the hills want to be fairly severe to notice a massive difference.
The 23 will give you more pace in the races though.

RainyDay

I had a similar problem with when Think Bike replaced the rear cassette and the chainwheel last year. I brought it back to them, and said that I need something equivalent to the gearing that was on it originally, and they sorted it out in a couple of days, at no further cost.

yop

RainyDay wrote: »

I had a similar problem with when Think Bike replaced the rear cassette and the chainwheel last year. I brought it back to them, and said that I need something equivalent to the gearing that was on it originally, and they sorted it out in a couple of days, at no further cost.

So they put a 10 on it when it was a 9 or something?

RainyDay

yop wrote: »

So they put a 10 on it when it was a 9 or something?

Not sure of the details tbh. It was 7-speed rear cassette. I guess one or other of the replacements was too highly geared for me.

micar

Thanks for the responses.
Brought the bike into the shop last night. Will get it back tomorrow. Hopefully I should be ok come Monday morning commute.

As far as the 11-25 cassette, I bought one from wiggle. Alos got a lockring remover and a chain whip.

I'll keep the 11-23 for fairly flat races.