A few upgrading questions...

bendewey

Brought a Trek 1.5 as a starter bike a couple of months ago, thinking of upgrading some parts of it in the future ie: gearset, wheels etc

This is the current spec as it came out the box:

Frameset
Sizes 50, 52, 54, 56, 58, 60, 62, 64cm
Frame Alpha Black Aluminum
Fork Bontrager Race, carbon; SpeedTrap compatible

Wheels
Wheels: Bontrager SSR
Tires: Bontrager Select, 700x25c

Drivetrain
Shifters: Shimano Sora STI, 9 speed
Front Derailleur: Shimano Sora
Rear Derailleur: Shimano Tiagra
Crank: Bontrager Sport 53/39 or 50/39/30
Cassette: SRAM PG950 12-26, 9 speed

Components
Saddle: Bontrager Race Basic
Seat Post: Bontrager Carbon
Handlebars: Bontrager Select VR, 31.8mm
Stem: Bontrager Select, 7 degree, 31.8mm
Headset: Aheadset w/semi-cartridge bearings, integrated, sealed, alloy
Brakeset: Alloy dual pivot w/Shimano Sora STI levers

Just a few questions:

1. I find the Sora STI shifters ok to use but feel i would benefit more by upgrading to Tiagra/Ultegra, is this possible without changing any of the other components?

2. If i were to change my rear cassette to a shimano would this be possible seeing as my current wheels have a SRAM Cassette on them.

3: In anybodys opinion what are the first things you think i should do to improve bike performance etc?

Cheers in advance

Ben

Yeti575

I'd be tempted to leave it as it is and use it over the winter, then upgrade to better parts for next summer. First things to usually upgrade are the wheels. I'd go for 105 shifters instead of the Sora's.

Sun Dodger

Could be tyhat the biggest issue in upgrading the drivetrain is that the higher level groupsets are 10 speed now, so you end up having to replace several components at once.

If you are desperate for some retail therapy, then wheels & tyres give the biggest impact in terms of performance (and a spare set for winter duties etc)

synchronicity

1. You'd theoretically need to change the rear derailleur, cassette and chain to get to a current 10 speed group. If you're just thinking about getting a second hand 9 speed lever, it'll work as you say but probably not worth it (yet).

2. Yes that's certainly possible with no issues.

3. Ride your bike more?
Nah, seriously, if you want a bit more speed, go for 23c tyres. It's the cheapest upgrade you've got. Then revert to the old 25c tyres in winter.

stabilised

Wheels and tyres first. After the frame they are the most imoprtant bit of the bike. In particular, lighter rims and tyres make a propotionally bigger difference because they are rotating mass. Also, better wheels are usually stiffer so you waste less effort in flexing bits of the bike and devote more to driving it forward.

Transmission after that, but as others have mentioned, Shimano groupsets are now mainly ten speed so that means a new right hand STI lever (expensive) as well as new chain and cassette. I'd be tempted to go for chainset and bottom-bracket upgrades first, as whilst the other bits will get you an extra gear, better cranks and bottom brackets are stiffer so flex less.

andrewc3142

Maybe not the advice you're looking for, but I wouldn't upgrade anything other than tyres and possibly the saddle. Plus fitting clipless if it didn't come with them. Just ride it as much as you can and soon your own improvement will massively outweigh any cash you throw at the bike.

Upgradng stuff like the crank set, etc will end up costing a fortune. You're better off saving up for a new bike, perhaps built to your specs.

Just my 2 cents

billybiker

andrewc3142 wrote:

Maybe not the advice you're looking for, but I wouldn't upgrade anything other than tyres and possibly the saddle. Plus fitting clipless if it didn't come with them. Just ride it as much as you can and soon your own improvement will massively outweigh any cash you throw at the bike.

Upgradng stuff like the crank set, etc will end up costing a fortune. You're better off saving up for a new bike, perhaps built to your specs.

Just my 2 cents

I agree! Use the bike as it is and save up for something better. Upgrading will cost a lot and then what do you do with all the old kit? If hell bent change the wheels and tyres.

tonyw43

If you've got a nine speed rear cassette at the minute, Tiagra STI's will fit straight on without changing any of the other components as they are a nine speed shifter. Also, shimano cassettes will fit on your rear without any change, as it they are the same fitment as Sram, so just stick a nine speed shimano on, the HG53 is the recommended for Tiagra.