Nursing an old (2008) road bike: what would Jesus do?

rflynnr

I have Trek 1500 I bought new in 2008. I've bought and sold a couple of other roads bikes in the interim but I keep coming back to this one because it's just the best. Over the years I've replaced much of the Ultegra (6600 era) groupset but - surprisingly? - am still using the original front derailleur and shifters. I especially love the shifters: still responsive after tens of thousands of kilometres. A tolerance for less than pristine parts has allowed me to keep her running at a relatively low cost.

However...

...I'm now looking at replacing the front 52/39 chainrings (not the originals but 6600 NOS when purchased) and probably the front derailleur. AND I figure I might as well get a new cassette while I'm about it. (I already have a NOS Ultegra 10s chain.) I can buy a 10s 11-28 Ultegra 6700 cassette (though I'd be equally happy with a 105 5700) but I'm not entirely happy with my chain-ring options. I think there's a 39t 6700 out there but it looks like I'll have to go for a generic Stronglight 52t for the big ring. Cassette, two rings and postage will be about €108 (still pretty good value).

So the question is this though: is even the €108 throwing money away, especially given that these may not quite offer the smooth shifting I've been used to? Would I be better off trying to track down an end-of-stock 6800 or even R8000 groupset somewhere and trying to run the Trek for another decade? (And, again, I know I could just buy another bike entirely but if it's not entirely obvious already: I do have a slightly irrational affection for this bike and would to keep it going for as long as is feasible.)

What would a cycling Jesus (or you) do?

Large bottle small glass

Can't speak for Jesus but Guy Clark would go with the cheapest simplest option 😀

https://open.spotify.com/track/5nZAfDYkIrZ0zCrMbWW0BR?si=OkCtIhWyQVqdvPZb_-usBg

CramCycle

Its not throwing away money, 108euro to keep a decent bike in functional condition is a bargain. Loads of chainring options but I doubt you will notice much of a difference (opinions are like arseholes though, so fair warning). I wouldn't go tracking down specific 6600 unless you find them cheap.

nicksnikita

I have a 1500SLR from 2006 and I know what you mean. I bought it during lockdown, stripped it and rebuilt it with a new groupset and wheels. Unbelievable fame.

There's a few options I'd consider:

1) keep it going as cheaply as possible as you've suggested

2) buy a modern Shimano Sora or Claris groupset. Get modern Shimano shifting tech for small money

3) but something like a Sensah Empire groupset from China. Modern, 11-speed, also for small money

rflynnr

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121363916#Comment_121363916

From Dublin Blues no less. Superb.

CantGetNoSleep

105 R7000 went down to £299 on Chain Reaction a few months ago and is a fantastic groupset so I'd maybe consider that if you can find a good deal

rflynnr

Ok. Thanks guys. Some interesting ideas in there which wouldn't have crossed my mind. I'm not snob on this so going with 6600-like stuff is mainly pragmatic, trying to maintain as much compatibility as possible. (Actual NOS 6600 is now more or less impossible to find anyway and I'm not sure what I'd risk buying a second hand derailleur off Ebay.) But the Sora or Sensah options are intriguing. I'm off down those rabbit holes...

rflynnr

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121364356#Comment_121364356

Ooh. Hang on...

rflynnr

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121364367#Comment_121364367

Dang. Back up to - a still reasonable I suspect - £499.

CantGetNoSleep

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121364382#Comment_121364382

Cheapest I found it after a quick Google (didn't check delivery). Might be worth shopping around over the next few weeks

https://www.gambacicli.com/en/shimano-105-r7000-2x11-speed-road-groupset.html

at1withmyself

Definitely worth the money as you seem to like it so much.

I spent the weekend rebuilding my 2006 s-works hard tail. New cables, grips and full clean and greasing. I love that bike more then my new hard tail.

seanin4711

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121364319#Comment_121364319

vouch for sensah empire 11,i am a sram man anyways

MojoMaker

6800 - one of the great groupsets in modern road cycling. Does anyone need more?

68 lost souls

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121364480#Comment_121364480

By the time I put it in my cart it was €535 including taxes and shipping FYI.

CantGetNoSleep

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121390445#Comment_121390445

A bit annoying that they don't seem to include VAT in their prices. Might be worth shopping around online this week though

rflynnr

So, I've found a secondhand R7000 groupset minus brake calipers. It seems to be nearly new. I know this is off-topic but is there any reason to think I can't combine them with the existing 6600 calipers. I know actuation ratios differ for gears but does this apply to brakes in some way?

rflynnr

Actually, I should have just googled: pull ratios (for brakes) do vary according to shifter. And I have seriously doubt I'll find a Shimano compatibility chart that considers whether 6600 might be used with R7000. (Even if I could understand those charts. Which I cannot.) I mean, who'd be crazy enough to do that?

CantGetNoSleep

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121392782#Comment_121392782

There is a brake systems compatibility chart. I am very non technical and find them easy to use. I did a quick search and found one that indicates 6700 shifters work with 7000 calipers, but I didn't spend long enough looking to see if the same applies to 6600

rflynnr

Is there a link you could send on for that?

rflynnr

Actually, I think I may have found it. The 2020-21 compatibility chart. Which unfortunately doesn't consider pre-6700 equipment. Still, thanks for the steer.

CantGetNoSleep

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121393445#Comment_121393445

Yes that's the one. I read somewhere else that it was between 6600 and 6700 that the pull ratio changed. And somewhere else that it doesn't really matter. I'm sure someone will be along with a more accurate answer