Upgrading - is it worth it?

pottssteve
pottssteve Posts: 4,069
edited December 2009 in Road buying advice
Hello All,

I ride a Specialized Tricross Sport. I've now had it for a year and I'm glad I started with a triple as I used to be fat(ter) and unfit(ter). I'm now thinking about upgrading to a compact chainset and am after some advice.

I'm over 40 and do not race. I also am prone to having a stiff back so the cyclocross frame geometry suits me well. As the bike's only a year old I'm loathed to buy another one, so what would people think about keeping the frame, forks etc. and changing to a compact chainset - probably 105 if this is available? I presume I'd have to change levers and brakes as well. Any idea what this would cost? Is it worth it? Any advice appreciated.

Merry Christmas,
Steve
Head Hands Heart Lungs Legs

Comments

  • Pokerface
    Pokerface Posts: 7,960
    Question is - is it worth it TO YOU?

    Upgrading will save you some weight - that's about it. You'll have less gears to work with, but you don't need them all anyway.

    You would need to upgrade the chainset and shifters - not the brakes.

    You can get a 105 Compact - assuming you're already using a Shimano set-up. You'll need to make sure the cassette on the rear wheel also works with your net set-up. Is it a 7, 8, 9 or 10-speed cassette?

    Short answer is - no, it's probably NOT worth it to upgrade at this point.
  • alfablue
    alfablue Posts: 8,497
    There are few disadvantages to a triple - weight is a very minor issue that would not be noticeable at all. Compacts are great (I have one) but there are bigger jumps through the gears which a triple avoids. I would say there is no point at all in changing, not sure it would be an upgrade. What might be a more worthwhile upgrade for your money is to get a decent set of wheels and tyres. I saved 500g off my wheels (and another 200g with the tyres) and this was noticeable.
  • maddog 2
    maddog 2 Posts: 8,114
    I agree, a compact is more of a personal preference than an outright upgrade. You save a bit of weight though. The triple vs compact agrument has been done to death so I won't go there.

    Wheels and tyres are where to throw your money. Standard spesh wheels look okay but better wheels will make a big difference to how it rides.



    Why would he need to change shifters anyway?
    Facts are meaningless, you can use facts to prove anything that's remotely true! - Homer
  • Pokerface
    Pokerface Posts: 7,960
    maddog 2 wrote:
    Why would he need to change shifters anyway?

    Are some shifters set up for a certain number of speeds? Front and rear?


    For instance - if you have a shifter that is designed for a triple on the front - how does it deal with only have two rings to shift through?

    Similarly - if you have a rear shifter that is designed for 8 speeds - will it still work with 10 speeds?

    Or do they just keep on 'clicking' until you run out of cable (top or bottom end)?
  • redddraggon
    redddraggon Posts: 10,862
    Pokerface wrote:
    maddog 2 wrote:
    Why would he need to change shifters anyway?

    Are some shifters set up for a certain number of speeds? Front and rear?


    For instance - if you have a shifter that is designed for a triple on the front - how does it deal with only have two rings to shift through?

    Or do they just keep on 'clicking' until you run out of cable (top or bottom end)?

    ALL Campag shifters are triple compatible and there's no issue, the limit screws on the front mech sort that out.

    I believe Sora/Tiagra/105 shifters are all double/triple compatible too.
    I like bikes...

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  • maddog 2
    maddog 2 Posts: 8,114
    a triple is just a double with an extra ring. If your shifter can handle 3 then they can handle 2 surely. 33% less work!

    Rear is another story - your shifter must match your cassette, although there are some weird mutant cross-breeds that can work.
    Facts are meaningless, you can use facts to prove anything that's remotely true! - Homer
  • pottssteve
    pottssteve Posts: 4,069
    Thanks for the advice, chaps.

    I'll go and look at some wheels!

    Steve
    Head Hands Heart Lungs Legs
  • giantsasquatch
    giantsasquatch Posts: 381
    No not worth it. No point getting new parts when you can abuse your existing Tiagra over Winter. You can pickup 105 bargains online if you later upgrade.

    A versatile gearing you could use, could be using just one chainring at the front coupled with 9-10 speed. Such as 42 chainring with a 11-25 cassette. It can cover 99% most of all situations for your fitness. No front derailleur to foul or clean especially in Winter. Simple.
  • pottssteve
    pottssteve Posts: 4,069
    giantsasquatch wrote:
    No not worth it. No point getting new parts when you can abuse your existing Tiagra over Winter. You can pickup 105 bargains online if you later upgrade.

    A versatile gearing you could use, could be using just one chainring at the front coupled with 9-10 speed. Such as 42 chainring with a 11-25 cassette. It can cover 99% most of all situations for your fitness. No front derailleur to foul or clean especially in Winter. Simple.

    I would tend to agree with you, except HK winter is not like the UK. Today (Christmas Day) was 25 degrees Celcius with light winds..... :shock: Still, I'm sticking with the triple and looking at other ways to spend my money.... :)
    Head Hands Heart Lungs Legs
  • giantsasquatch
    giantsasquatch Posts: 381
    During regular Winter training, when the bike is constantly coming back caked in mud, salt and grit, you be glad you haven't spent it on new parts. Abuse what you got, wipe it down, clean+oil the chain regular and concentrate on the training.

    I know about those cold harsh Christmas Eastern Winters. I spent one in Nagoya, Japan. I thought ours were bad. You get more snow than us.

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