Groupset upgrade

Orion

Thinking of upgrading the groupset on my Trek Madone 3.1. Currently it has full 105 except for the crankset which is Tiagra. Looking at one of the Ultegra - probably the 6800 - but I'm unclear as to the options available.

I'm not a racer so I'd be going for the 50/34 compact crankset I think. That's where my ... let's call it knowledge ... really ends. Hills are not my friend at all (yes yes I know - they never get easier) so I'm thinking of the larger cassette 11/32. Then there's the crank length - 170 or 172.5 are the options - what difference does that make?

Does that all sound reasonable? Would I get better bang per buck going for the new 105 11-speed and saving nearly €200 to spend on something else?

Once I've decided on the groupset config that should leave me with about 400-600 to play with for wheels. Currently have the stock Bontrager Approved ones that came with it and I believe that upgrading these will make a huge difference too. Any suggestions for those?

Koobcam

Orion wrote: »

Thinking of upgrading the groupset on my Trek Madone 3.1. Currently it has full 105 except for the crankset which is Tiagra. Looking at one of the Ultegra - probably the 6800 - but I'm unclear as to the options available.

I'm not a racer so I'd be going for the 50/34 compact crankset I think. That's where my ... let's call it knowledge ... really ends. Hills are not my friend at all (yes yes I know - they never get easier) so I'm thinking of the larger cassette 11/32. Then there's the crank length - 170 or 172.5 are the options - what difference does that make?

Does that all sound reasonable? Would I get better bang per buck going for the new 105 11-speed and saving nearly €200 to spend on something else?

Once I've decided on the groupset config that should leave me with about 400-600 to play with for wheels. Currently have the stock Bontrager Approved ones that came with it and I believe that upgrading these will make a huge difference too. Any suggestions for those?

New 105 seems pretty good and would leave you with more cash for the wheels. Ultegra is very good, so either of those really would be a good buy.

Orion

Orion wrote: »

Thinking of upgrading the groupset on my Trek Madone 3.1. Currently it has full 105 except for the crankset which is Tiagra. Looking at one of the Ultegra - probably the 6800 - but I'm unclear as to the options available.

I'm not a racer so I'd be going for the 50/34 compact crankset I think. That's where my ... let's call it knowledge ... really ends. Hills are not my friend at all (yes yes I know - they never get easier) so I'm thinking of the larger cassette 11/32. Then there's the crank length - 170 or 172.5 are the options - what difference does that make?

Does that all sound reasonable? Would I get better bang per buck going for the new 105 11-speed and saving nearly €200 to spend on something else?

Once I've decided on the groupset config that should leave me with about 400-600 to play with for wheels. Currently have the stock Bontrager Approved ones that came with it and I believe that upgrading these will make a huge difference too. Any suggestions for those?

Buying a full groupset is expensive when compared to buying a new bike with the groupset already on it.

In this case it would be madness not to buy another bike.

Orion

To upgrade to a new bike would cost 2000+. Upgrading the groupset on a perfectly good bike will cost 600. Bit of a difference there.

jon1981

Orion wrote: »

To upgrade to a new bike would cost 2000+. Upgrading the groupset on a perfectly good bike will cost 600. Bit of a difference there.

Assuming the OP can't do the work themselves... what's the cost of the work?

Orion

If I buy it from my LBS he'll do it all for nothing. If I buy it elsewhere he'll put it on for a nominal fee - maybe 50.

Orion

Can we nip this train of thought in the bud - I'm not buying a new bike. I can't afford it. I can afford to upgrade my current bike to a certain price point. The bike itself is lovely and I'll get better performance out of it with new groupset and wheels. That's what I'm focussing on.

ford2600

Orion wrote: »

If I buy it from my LBS he'll do it all for nothing. If I buy it elsewhere he'll put it on for a nominal fee - maybe 50.

105 and zondas.

Spend the rest on things that will make a real difference; nice comfy bar tape, try a few different tyre types and maybe a bike fit.

Compact with a 32 will allow you climb anything, you'll probably never need it bar your doing hill repeats on Mt Leinster.

I never notice much difference between 175/172.5 but some people report otherwise. Talk to lbs maybe

Orion

Orion wrote: »

Can we nip this train of thought in the bud - I'm not buying a new bike. I can't afford it. I can afford to upgrade my current bike to a certain price point. The bike itself is lovely and I'll get better performance out of it with new groupset and wheels. That's what I'm focussing on.

Just curious what difference do you expect to see in upgrading your group-set?

If it were me, I would be more inclined to get a good set of wheels. Apart from shiney and lighter there isn't much of a difference between 105 and ultegra for enthusiast riders.

Orion

10 speed to 11 speed is the main reason to get that 32. Ultegra was the only option until they started the 105 in 11-speed too. That's why I threw that in there. So now 105 does have 11-speed I'm wondering if the extra 200 will give me the same value bang-per-buck. I do plan on getting new wheels too. Been doing some reading as well as asking here and it does look like new wheels will give me a better upgrade than the groupset so maybe 105 is the way to go. €1000 is the budget so there'll be a tradeoff one way or the other.

But the Ultegra is so shiny!

Cee-Jay-Cee

I was in the exact same position this time last year. I had a Felt F5 with 105 group set (FSA crankset/chain rings) I loved the bike but hated 5700, especially the FD.

I bought a full 6800 groupset inc inner/outer cables from Ribble for €540 delivered in their new year sale. I also bought a set of Zondas from Wiggle for €300 delivered.

I went for 50/34 compact and 12/28 cassette.

The wheels and group set have transformed the bike, gear changes are now smooth and easy and while the wheels were only slightly lighter than the Quattros they replaced, they are slightly lighter and between wheels and group set, I've knocked over half kilo from the overall weight.

The bike is now future proofed as far as I'm concerned and it'll do me for many years as its only used in summer/dry weather and I have an alloy bike for winter and wet weather.

In regard to whether to get 5800 or 6800. I initially bought 5800 but was being niggled by the great price of 6800 and I was concerned that if I fitted 5800 I'd always be looking to upgrade it to 6800 and end up spending more money in the future doing so. So in the end up I sent back 5800 and bought 6800 and I'm glad I did.

Orion

Actually there is another option now that I think of it. I assume I can just get a new crankset and cassette to get 11 speed and get rid of the Tiagra crank. Everything else would be ok wouldn't it? Would I need a new derailleur or changers to go from 10 to 11 speed? I'd be getting new wheels anyway so the current wheel wouldn't need to be compatible with 11-speed which is probably isn't. Would this be a crazy idea?

Another advantage is that if I get a full groupset I can put the current 105 on my other bike which is Sora. Don't judge me - it was my first road bike and was in budget at the time.

07Lapierre

Orion wrote: »

Actually there is another option now that I think of it. I assume I can just get a new crankset and cassette to get 11 speed and get rid of the Tiagra crank. Everything else would be ok wouldn't it? Would I need a new derailleur or changers to go from 10 to 11 speed? I'd be getting new wheels anyway so the current wheel wouldn't need to be compatible with 11-speed which is probably isn't. Would this be a crazy idea?

Another advantage is that if I get a full groupset I can put the current 105 on my other bike which is Sora. Don't judge me - it was my first road bike and was in budget at the time.

No...to change from 10 to 11 speed you need 11 speed cassette, 11 speed chain and 11 speed shifter. your freewheel Hub must also be 11 speed compatible.

I'd go with your original idea and get a complete new groupset.

cython

Orion wrote: »

Thinking of upgrading the groupset on my Trek Madone 3.1. Currently it has full 105 except for the crankset which is Tiagra. Looking at one of the Ultegra - probably the 6800 - but I'm unclear as to the options available.

I'm not a racer so I'd be going for the 50/34 compact crankset I think. That's where my ... let's call it knowledge ... really ends. Hills are not my friend at all (yes yes I know - they never get easier) so I'm thinking of the larger cassette 11/32. Then there's the crank length - 170 or 172.5 are the options - what difference does that make?

Does that all sound reasonable? Would I get better bang per buck going for the new 105 11-speed and saving nearly €200 to spend on something else?

Once I've decided on the groupset config that should leave me with about 400-600 to play with for wheels. Currently have the stock Bontrager Approved ones that came with it and I believe that upgrading these will make a huge difference too. Any suggestions for those?

I'd suggest just go for the 105, have it myself on the good bike and while I've never had ultegra, I did a lot of research on it before buying and the general consensus was there was very little in it, and probably not worth the premium, especially for the leisure rider, which you describe yourself as. The price difference between the 2 would be nearly 2/3 of the cost of the suggested Zonda upgrade. In terms of crank length, probably best to see what you have at the moment on your bike, and if that's comfortable and works for you, just get the same in the new one.

jamesd

Ive gone from 10 speed 105 12 - 28 to 11 speed 105 11 -32 and it is a great upgrade, I also went zonda's and they are excellent.

Orion

I am a leisure rider indeed. Sportives and charity events - no interest in racing at all. cython - if you're at the gates this Saturday or Sunday I'll have a chat with you.

So there appears to be a consensus here. 105 5800 and good wheels. Couple of recommendations for zondas which I know nothing about (or any other wheel tbh). What makes them better then another wheel?

Cee-Jay-Cee

Orion wrote: »

So there appears to be a consensus here. 105 5800 and good wheels. Couple of recommendations for zondas which I know nothing about (or any other wheel tbh). What makes them better then another wheel?

Reliability, price, looks and weight (1580g for Shimano free hub, 1555gr for Campy free hub)

Orion

The looks could be a problem. While the wife wouldn't notice a new groupset after a "service" she would notice those cool looking wheels. I might have to tell her

Cee-Jay-Cee

Orion wrote: »

The looks could be a problem. While the wife wouldn't notice a new groupset after a "service" she would notice those cool looking wheels. I might have to tell her

Tell her they're Khamsins if she asks. She can google then and see that they're sub €160 wheels. (CRC)

My wife never noticed my change from Quattros to Zondas but then again she didn't notice when I bought a new carbon bike a few years ago either. It's great when they have absolutely no interest in it.

Ryath

I'd go with with 105 and zondas as everyone else suggested, though I have seen the ultegra group for under €500 which would tempt me. Zondas's are the best bang for buck wheels. I spent a lot of time researching before buying mine. You would need to spend nearly twice as much to get something significantly better than them.

Wouldn't worry about wife noticing wheels took mine about 9 months to notice I had a bought a third bike despite usually one or the other of them being left in the hall way and being all different colours.

Orion

Thanks all. I've got on to my LBS and he's getting me prices. Using the bike to work so everything will work out nice and cheap.