Changing groupset

Rawhead

Hi,

I've a Giant Defy3 with 9 speed Sora groupset with a triple ring on the front. I use it as a winter trainer for triathlons. I'm happy enough with the bike but find the Sora pure dung to be honest. My question is, could I put a 105 10 speed groupset on the bike with a 53/39 on the front.
Thanks in advance.

lennymc

yes, provided you changed at minimum the chainset, chain, (and possibly BB), levers and rear cassette. (or full groupset). AFAIK the 9 spd rear derailer will work with the 10 spd shifters, but it might be a bit sloppy. For the sake of a few quid id change the derailers aswell.

petethedrummer

Rawhead wrote: »

I'm happy enough with the bike but find the Sora pure dung to be honest.

You'd be far better off just taking it for a service or learning how to maintain it yourself. Sora shifts well if set up properly and looked after. Like any groupset.

Save the money and put it towards a dedicated race bike.

Also winter training on a 53/39 would be a nightmare unless you are Sean Kelly.

Raam

petethedrummer wrote: »

Also winter training on a 53/39 would be a nightmare unless you are Sean Kelly.

Wha?

petethedrummer

Raam wrote: »

Wha?

For those us that can't dance our way nonchalantly up hills.

Raam

petethedrummer wrote: »

For those us that can't dance our way nonchalantly up hills.

I am sure that you would be fine on a 53/39. But if someone wants a compact, go for it.

lennymc

53/39 is fine for winter training. 25 on the back will give you loads for hills. IMHO

Squidgy Black

If he's changing out the cassette and stuck an 11-28 on the rear, a 53-39 would be more than fine on the front for Irish hills.

petethedrummer

Raam wrote: »

I am sure that you would be fine on a 53/39. But if someone wants a compact, go for it.

I have a 53-39 on my race bike but I throw 12-27 cassette on the back for Wicklow spins. 39x25 isn't low enough to get any enjoyment out of a hilly spin.

petethedrummer

I think if you need to ask if 53-39 is a good idea, it probably isn't.

New2bike

Stupid question what but what is 53/39?? I also have a sora group set but other than than praying for an extra gear( or 5) on steep hills find it ok but then again I have not riden a bike with a better set so don't know any different. Looking through posts here people seem to be chopping and changing bits all over the place would it not be more prevail ant to just work harder with the set you have until you can afford a better bike??

Then again what is a better bike as each seems to have it faults like wheel choice or tyres or group set ect the whole thing would have you baffled!!!

petethedrummer

New2bike wrote: »

Stupid question what but what is 53/39??

Painful.

Zyzz

New2bike wrote: »

Stupid question what but what is 53/39??

oheilis

New2bike wrote: »

Stupid question what but what is 53/39?

The number of teeth on the outer/inner rings of a standard chainset. A compact chainset (usually) has 50/34, giving a more forgiving gear ratio.

Some people swap out chainsets, some swap out cassettes to give themselves an easier time of things on the hills.

Then you have the rich gits you just buy 2nd/3rd/Xth bikes to cope with the different conditions.;)

Raam

petethedrummer wrote: »

I have a 53-39 on my race bike but I throw 12-27 cassette on the back for Wicklow spins. 39x25 isn't low enough to get any enjoyment out of a hilly spin.

I stuck a 29 on for my Alps trip. Plenty of times I wish I had a compact on it also.

petethedrummer

Raam wrote: »

I stuck a 29 on for my Alps trip. Plenty of times I wish I had a compact on it also.

Your bike would have looked sweet with a MTB cassette and Long cage derailler on it.

If you go compact you lose 53x11, 53x12 and 53x13, but you gain 34x27, 34x26 and 34x25. These are your friends, they help you when you are feeling bad. The others only help when you are feeling good.

DirkVoodoo

He's always feeling good.

cdaly_

Rawhead wrote: »

Hi,

I've a Giant Defy3 with 9 speed Sora groupset with a triple ring on the front. I use it as a winter trainer for triathlons. I'm happy enough with the bike but find the Sora pure dung to be honest. My question is, could I put a 105 10 speed groupset on the bike with a 53/39 on the front.
Thanks in advance.

You already have 52/42 on the front with your existing Sora triple. Personally, I'd say keep the existing chainset and just pick up a 105 triple front mech along with the 105 10 speed set.

Raam

petethedrummer wrote: »

Your bike would have looked sweet with a MTB cassette and Long cage derailler on it.

If you go compact you lose 53x11, 53x12 and 53x13, but you gain 34x27, 34x26 and 34x25. These are your friends, they help you when you are feeling bad. The others only help when you are feeling good.

50x11 is a bigger gear than 53x12. Just so ya know.