Moving up from Shimano 105 Groupset

CiB

Any views on replacing a Shimano 105 groupset with something a bit better? Pricing up replacement chains / rings / cassette the other day on Wiggle etc the option of upgrading the groupset now rather than going down the new bike route later this year started to appeal enormously. The bike is a Scott S20 (2006 model) with 105 double ring set on xx5600 components. It’s done about 4000 miles in that time, and needs a new drive train now anyway. Here it is.

http://www.bikepedia.com/QuickBike/BikeSpecs.aspx?Year=2006&Brand=Scott&Model=Speedster+S20+(30+Speed)&Type=bike

I haven’t yet seen a new bike that I'd like enough to replace the S20, and when it comes down to it, putting Shimano Ultegra, Dura Ace or Campag bits on it would be nice step up. As a ride it’s great now, but you know when you just want that bit more…?

The easiest option is to go and buy the most expensive groupset up to about £1k, but experiences from you lot would be a better and more helpful guide.

And wheels. The Shimano R550 wheels are ok but are out of true and never stay in true for long these days since my big tumble, and probably wouldn’t do the rest of the bike justice if it were running Campag or whatever bits & bobs.

Main use is weekend recreational rides & 20 mile commute over fairly flat ground 2 – 3 times a week. Gearing is currently 39/50 + 12-25 cassette; I’d prefer a higher top so 11-25 and/or 52 front ring would be nicer, but views welcome.

Campag, or Shimano, or AN Other? Which will give me the more enjoyable riding experience? And what wheels would complement it? Let’s have an arbitrary overall budget of about £1200 or so and see what comes up.

Plan B (formerly Plan A) was to blow around £2k +/- a bit on a new bike. Might still do that.

Ta.

Feel free to abuse this plan, or to point out that the S20 is a heap of tat that’s likely to fall apart before Easter. New bike more than welcome.

cjcp

If you want to tart it up ia bit, Ultegra will do you fine (leaving aside Campag/Shimano preferences etc) - no need to go to Dura Ace at all - you won't see any benefit for the extra outlay.

Gearing 53/39 x 12/25 will be fine.

Wheels - have a look at good handbuilts. Open Pro rims with some DT hubs and spokes. Under £250. If you want ceramic, harder wearing rims, a bit more. Alternatively, I keep raving about my CXP 33s, but they really are brilliant.

Rich158

I'd go for Ultegra SL, the performance is almost identical to Dura Ace

cycleguy

I miss my Scott S20....light as a feather and goes like stink...got knocked of it and the frame is a write off. Hunted high and low for another one on ebay/gumtree but ended up buying a Trek 1500 frame.

I have only gone as high as 105 but have been told that Ultegra is good enough....I have a nice pair of Easton Orion wheels which come out in the summer.....light, strong and roll forever....

itboffin

There's not a lot of diff in Ultegra and 105 in fact comparing mine side by side i'd say just the logos

There's far more difference in old vs new Shimano as innovations from racing are passed down the groupsets so 105 today is pretty similar to dura ace of a couple years ago, that said if you're upgrading then Ultregra isn't must more expensive than 105 - best bet would be Ultegra SL and new wheels, tyres & tubes and it will feel like a new bike.

I have a 11-21 cassette which is great on the flat but really the gears are so close I found i'd usually switch two sometimes three at a time, I'm much happier with 12-25.

Or switch to campy all over, there's some great deals out there on Mirage & Veloce 10 speed full groupsets including hubs.

16simon

cjcp wrote:

If you want to tart it up ia bit, Ultegra will do you fine (leaving aside Campag/Shimano preferences etc) - no need to go to Dura Ace at all - you won't see any benefit for the extra outlay.

Spoken like someone who's never tried it....

I race on Dura Ace, got Ultegra on my winter bike, shifters and brakes feel a bit woolly by comparison. The DA chainrings are much longer lasting too.

It's like when you get a new, lighter bike: you might have been happy with your old bike before, but when you've tried something better, it highlights the deficiencies of the old one.

If you can get Dura Ace 7800 stuff at a discount, snap it up.... with the price rises for the new Shimano stuff starting to hit, it's great value for a top level groupset.

Don't bother with Campag Mirage or Veloce BTW... more of a downgrade than an upgrade from 10.

cjcp

16simon wrote:

Spoken like someone who's never tried it....

I race on Dura Ace, got Ultegra on my winter bike, shifters and brakes feel a bit woolly by comparison. The DA chainrings are much longer lasting too.

You're right, I haven't tried DA. However, the OP said that his "Main use is weekend recreational rides & 20 mile commute over fairly flat ground 2 – 3 times a week", whereas you use DA for racing. If you race and there's an advantage to using DA, fair enough. If your intended use is the OP's though, Ultegra will do just fine. IMO, the difference between the cost of DA and Ultegra can be put to better use: e.g. a better wheelset.

As for the longevity of the chainrings, my Ultegra chainring has clocked over 10,000 miles as a result of commuting five times a week (150 miles) and, touch wood!, is doing fine.