Mixed Groupsets

gingernash
gingernash Posts: 123
edited June 2011 in Road beginners
If you have a bike with a mixed groupset i.e. bit of Sora, Tiagra, 105, what do you think is the most important component and thereby which one do you really want to be from the higher spec stable?

I am guessing derailleurs and shifters but wondered what a more informed view might be.

Comments

  • Pseudonym
    Pseudonym Posts: 1,032
    shifters, rear mech and brakes
  • Chris James
    Chris James Posts: 1,040
    For performance, then shifters and rear derailleur have the biggest impact.

    Cheaper chainsets can be substantially heavier than their more expensive counterparts, although often some of this is down to use of at least some steel chainrings. These are heavy, but do offer much better durability, so good for commuters etc.

    Lots of people on here swear by using better brake calipers. I have my doubts - I think the technology is in the pads and am happy with cheaper calpiers matched to koolstop salmon pads - or similar. Others may differ.

    Cassettes of the same 'speed' just tend to get lighter as they increase with price. Likewsie chains tend to be slotted etc. These are sensible places to save money in my opinion. Also there are plenty of good aftermarket chains to choose from.

    A front derailleur is the part that would have the least upgrade effect.
  • flegghighsmells
    flegghighsmells Posts: 34
    Personally I would say shifters as all of the movement during gear changes is controlled by the shifter (and not the mech). It also feels nice having carbon shifters. Another bonus is if you crash a lot, its not so much of a loss if you use a cheaper rear mech as its usually the component that hits the ground first! :)
  • chiark
    chiark Posts: 335
    Shifters, brakes, crank arms / BB.
    Derailleur just does what it is told by the shifters...
    Synapse Alloy 105 / Rock Lobster Tig Team Sl
  • night_porter
    night_porter Posts: 888
    Let's be perfectly honest about this as far as performance is concerned there is no difference in any of the components.

    Personal choice, bling, snobbery, one upmanship, etc. are the only real reasons to change any part of the groupset. If you prefer one type of shifter operation over anothers then fine but will it make you any faster nope.

    As for weight saving it would be so minimal that it would make no difference to speed either. If you want to save weight then leave your mobile phone at home or empty your pockets. It really won't make any difference!

    Don't get me wrong I love to buy new bits for my bikes and I call them upgrades too but the real reason for buying them has nothing to do with performance. If it did the person with the deepest pockets would be the fastest rider and that simply is not the case.

    As far as the question as to what component will make the biggest "difference" then it has to be shifters or brake pads as has already been suggested.
  • keef66
    keef66 Posts: 13,123
    Legs, lungs, heart. Work on upgrading those first. Makes much more difference than shaving 15g off the weight of a 9kg bike by having a slotted chain.

    Shifters, then rear mech.
  • jim453
    jim453 Posts: 1,360
    night_porter wrote:
    Let's be perfectly honest about this as far as performance is concerned there is no difference in any of the components.

    Personal choice, bling, snobbery, one upmanship, etc. are the only real reasons to change any part of the groupset. If you prefer one type of shifter operation over anothers then fine but will it make you any faster nope.

    As for weight saving it would be so minimal that it would make no difference to speed either. If you want to save weight then leave your mobile phone at home or empty your pockets. It really won't make any difference!

    Don't get me wrong I love to buy new bits for my bikes and I call them upgrades too but the real reason for buying them has nothing to do with performance. If it did the person with the deepest pockets would be the fastest rider and that simply is not the case.

    As far as the question as to what component will make the biggest "difference" then it has to be shifters or brake pads as has already been suggested.


    I'm guessing yer mates have got nicer bikes than you.
  • rhext
    rhext Posts: 1,639
    jim453 wrote:
    night_porter wrote:
    Let's be perfectly honest about this as far as performance is concerned there is no difference in any of the components.

    Personal choice, bling, snobbery, one upmanship, etc. are the only real reasons to change any part of the groupset. If you prefer one type of shifter operation over anothers then fine but will it make you any faster nope.

    As for weight saving it would be so minimal that it would make no difference to speed either. If you want to save weight then leave your mobile phone at home or empty your pockets. It really won't make any difference!

    Don't get me wrong I love to buy new bits for my bikes and I call them upgrades too but the real reason for buying them has nothing to do with performance. If it did the person with the deepest pockets would be the fastest rider and that simply is not the case.

    As far as the question as to what component will make the biggest "difference" then it has to be shifters or brake pads as has already been suggested.


    I'm guessing yer mates have got nicer bikes than you.

    Maybe, but are they quicker?
  • jim453
    jim453 Posts: 1,360
    rhext wrote:
    jim453 wrote:
    night_porter wrote:
    Let's be perfectly honest about this as far as performance is concerned there is no difference in any of the components.

    Personal choice, bling, snobbery, one upmanship, etc. are the only real reasons to change any part of the groupset. If you prefer one type of shifter operation over anothers then fine but will it make you any faster nope.

    As for weight saving it would be so minimal that it would make no difference to speed either. If you want to save weight then leave your mobile phone at home or empty your pockets. It really won't make any difference!

    Don't get me wrong I love to buy new bits for my bikes and I call them upgrades too but the real reason for buying them has nothing to do with performance. If it did the person with the deepest pockets would be the fastest rider and that simply is not the case.

    As far as the question as to what component will make the biggest "difference" then it has to be shifters or brake pads as has already been suggested.


    I'm guessing yer mates have got nicer bikes than you.

    Maybe, but are they quicker?

    Nicer bikes are faster. Much faster. Any moron knows that.
  • rhext
    rhext Posts: 1,639
    jim453 wrote:
    rhext wrote:
    jim453 wrote:

    I'm guessing yer mates have got nicer bikes than you.

    Maybe, but are they quicker?

    Nicer bikes are faster. Much faster. Any moron knows that.

    Okaaaayyyyy......what about the non-morons?
  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Posts: 79,667
    Better quality components tend to be made of better quality materials and will generally last longer and require less adjustment to keep them running smoothly.
  • Monty Dog
    Monty Dog Posts: 20,614
    FWIW for things like chains and cassettes, the converse also applies as extremely lightweight parts are often not very durable e.g. a Record cassette is twice the price of Chorus but doesn't last as long. I generally only replace parts when they wear out or get trashed - upgrades for upgrades sake is actually a pretty pointless exercise. Best to save all the new stuff for a new bike
    Make mine an Italian, with Campagnolo on the side..

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