What's the most robust groupset?

petemadoc

Thinking of getting another bike and just considering which groupset to go for. Ideal the one with the least fiddling and just works with least bother and worry.

I've got shimano 105 at the moment and I'm pretty pleased with it. Only problem is I find I'm always making little adjustments. Everything works smoothly for a while then I find myself making little adjustments to stop gears skipping or not changing at all.

Are all groupsets pretty much the same or are some more sturdy and reliable than others?

Anonymous

Never have to adjust my Sram Red...
Never had to adjust my Ultegra.
Haven't had to adjust my 10sp Campag Chorus in the few rides I've had with it...

cookiemonster

Broadly... the cheaper, the less adjustment required. Although that could just because you'll fiddle with your SR/DA/Red to get perfection coz you know its attainable. While you'll leave your Sora alone, because no matter what you do it'll always be crap

However

It sounds like your question should be, "why do i have to keep fiddling with my 105?". Coz really, if its set up properly it should be very reliable. In which case the answers are:

1. Check your cables - if they havent been cleaned and lubed in a year then there's a good chance they're sticking giving you dodgy shifts.
2. Check mech hanger and front and rear mech alignment - dropping the bike can bend stuff a couple of mm out of line making it difficult to set up properly
3. Buy campag (only joking)

dennisn

PeteMadoc wrote:

I've got shimano 105 at the moment and I'm pretty pleased with it. Only problem is I find I'm always making little adjustments. Everything works smoothly for a while then I find myself making little adjustments to stop gears skipping or not changing at all.

Don't take this wrong, I'm just playing devils advocate. Have you considered that maybe, just maybe, it's not the groupset that's the problem, but the person adjusting it. There is not a groupset out there, high end or not, that will run properly if adjusted improperly.
Add to that the idea that perfection in anything is not going to happen.

Monty Dog

My answer was going to be "depends on how you look after it". IME the good stuff lasts longer and requires less fiddling - but depends a lot on how well it is set up to start with.

pianoman

The only groupset I've ever seen people have issues with on rides was a cheap Shi***o one, I think it was a 2300 on a Viking entry-level bike, and a fiddly old triple to boot.

It's fair to say that anything from 105/Veloce/Rival upwards should serve you well..........just that the Campag choices are better still

desmosedici

I'd go with Ultegra as being easiest to set up and longest to stay in tune.

mroli

I haven't had to touch my Rival set up at all (apart from to adjust brakes due to pad wear). A mate who rides red said that it is incredible, but much more "sensitive" (he went from Ultegra) and needs more care.

I think an important thing is to ensure that you are keeping your bike well looked after - clean chain and cogs, clean rims, no bangs to the mechs etc. If that is done then there are going to be less worries (and everything will last longer)

petemadoc

OK so I guess I may need to check my set up. Might take it for a service but I'd rather do this myself. I'm thinking maybe the cables need changing cos I'm always tightening the cable to get smooth gear changes.

markos1963

I've got 105 on my race bike. 3 years and 6000 miles later I've only had to replace one cable, two chains and not had to adjust anything whatsoever. I TT on it, race crits and do long rides of up to 120 miles so I would say look at your servicing first before lashing out on more kit.

KL.

PeteMadoc wrote:

OK so I guess I may need to check my set up. Might take it for a service but I'd rather do this myself. I'm thinking maybe the cables need changing cos I'm always tightening the cable to get smooth gear changes.

I was told that after each ride to set the FD to the small crank ring and RD on one of the small sprockets. Doing this will put less strain on the cables when the bike is not being ridden. As such the derailleurs should require less adjusting.