Can I upgrade Mechs and not shifters

brh77
brh77 Posts: 242
edited October 2009 in Road beginners
I promise this is not another 'which groupset' thread!

I want to upgrade to Ultegra from Sora- I love my cheap frame- and want to know if that I can upgrade Mechs and still run the Sora shifters. I like the thumb switch as I ride on the hoods most of the time (I am sure this makes me a philistine).

Cheers

A probable sufferer of 'upgradeitis'

Ben

Comments

  • Smokin Joe
    Smokin Joe Posts: 2,706
    All Shimano mechs use the same shift geometry, so yes you can.

    However, it is probably one of the least cost effective upgrades on a bike. The better mechs might be a bit lighter and longer lasting but you won't notice any difference in the shift, that is all controlled at the lever. You'd be better off renewing just the cables as they do make a difference.

    Then again, if you just want a bit of bling, why not? We all do that from time to time, it's what credit cards were made for :wink:
  • brh77
    brh77 Posts: 242
    Cheers for the response........

    So if I want better shifting I change my shifters?

    I am confused- why do people pay for top end groupsets if the difference apart from weight is minimal?

    Ta

    Ben
  • Evil Laugh
    Evil Laugh Posts: 1,412
    Because we're all mugs?
  • keef66
    keef66 Posts: 13,123
    Same reason some people are happy to pay £50 for a teeshirt or £200 for a pair of jeans because they have the right label on them.

    I like to stick to the middle ground, 105 in Shimano terms, so I don't feel I'm being ripped off, but I avoid the fear that I've gone too cheap and cheerful.
  • Monty Dog
    Monty Dog Posts: 20,614
    I agree - you could upgrade to DuraAce rear mech but it would still feel the same - the quality of the shift is dictated by the shifter. A decent set of cables like Gore will make the shifter easier and keep everything working better for longer - provided of course they're installed correctly
    Make mine an Italian, with Campagnolo on the side..
  • verloren
    verloren Posts: 337
    Is your Sora 9 speed? And can you find a 9 speed Ultegra mech? That would seem to be the first barrier to overcome. Apart from that, my understanding is that a better rear mech can improve shifting performance, but the scope for improvement is limited because so much of it is dependent on the shifters. As you may have picked up from other posts here, new wheels is probably the first thing to look at when upgrading a cheaper bike.

    '09 Enigma Eclipse with SRAM.
    '10 Tifosi CK7 Audax Classic with assorted bits for the wet weather
    '08 Boardman Hybrid Comp for the very wet weather.
  • keef66
    keef66 Posts: 13,123
    If you like your little thumb levers you'd be better off upgrading by shopping for a used Campag groupset on Ebay, but then you might need a differently spaced cassette etc etc etc.

    Better still start saving for your next bike, and make sure it's Campag.
  • andy_wrx
    andy_wrx Posts: 3,396
    verloren wrote:
    Is your Sora 9 speed? And can you find a 9 speed Ultegra mech? That would seem to be the first barrier to overcome

    No.
    Smokin Joe wrote:
    All Shimano mechs use the same shift geometry, so yes you can

    Smokin Joe is correct - you can run any Shimano rear mech (except pre-98 Dura Ace) or any Shimano (road) front mech with any Shimano road shifters

    - you do not have to match the number of speeds : 8sp will work with 9sp will work with 10sp

    But agree with everyone else : not worth it
    - if you're going to upgrade something, first and most-improvement-for-the-price is some better tyres
    - then clipless pedals
    - then better wheels
    - you might also decide your bum would prefer a different saddle, or new bartape - but this is personal preference.
  • brh77
    brh77 Posts: 242
    Cheers all- I have done bar tape and pedals- have a new saddle and tyres on the way......I reckon I might make sure that the gears are set up properly at LBS and then invest in some new wheels.

    Will this spending ever end?I persuaded my wife the £500 on my bike was a great outlay for health and fitness- I am now spiralling dangerously out of control. Considering selling one of the kids for a new frame set.

    Ben
  • Ahhhh like me you went down the i'll get a cheap bike first to see if i like it route. The only problem with this is its probably the most expensive way to start biking. Hence why after having my trek 1.5 for 5/6 months after a good chat with the missus I went and bought a £2000 carbon bianchi.
    I used the argument that getting a new bike would work out cheaper in the long run as the groupset would work out cheaper than buying a new one for the Trek. plus wear and tear would be less on the new bike so it would last longer :D

    But even then you need new colour co-ordinating kit, tyres etc.... plus I still want to get better stuff for the Trek i've just not told her that yet :wink:
    Bianchi. There are no alternatives only compromises!
    I RIDE A KONA CADABRA -would you like to come and have a play with my magic link?
  • John.T
    John.T Posts: 3,698
    It gets worse over the years. I have had to stop at 5 plus the track bike I manage to borrow for the winter track training.