Upgrade of groupset - worthwhile?

beatts

Hi,

I have a Giant Defy3 and am relatively new to road biking, having been a MTB'er for more years than I care to remember.

Anyway I bought the Giant as a cheapish way of getting into road biking, which I now love by the way, but feel the groupset (Shimano Sora) can occasionally be a bit clunky on gear changes and needs often tune ups to maintain gear selection, also the brakes are not the best (saying that I am comparing to what I am used to - Hope Hydraulic disc brakes)

Would it be feasible tostripping this groupset off the bike and upgrading to say 105? Or will it not make that much difference? I haven't ridden a bike with a high(er) end groupset than Sora.

thanks

thescouselander

It might be worth upgrading for reduced weight or more gears but I don't think the shifting will improve that much. If properly set up the Sora kit should shift quite smoothly without need for too much adjustment.

Besides, upgrading the group set is likely to be expensive, how much are you prepared to spend?

keef66

You might get better braking by putting some KoolStop Salmon pads on; after that I doubt you'd notice that much difference by upgrading the groupset. Unless that is you absolutely hate the thumb operated lever.

You would notice the hit to the wallet though, especially if you buy new.

I'd just start saving up for the next bike if I were you.

unixnerd

If properly set up the Sora kit should shift quite smoothly without need for too much adjustment.

+1. I've got Sora on my tourer and in over 8000 miles I've never had to reindex it. By all means fit new shifters (Tiagra / 105) but the main advantage is being able to shift properly when you're on the drops.

If you're used to mtb brakes you'll find road bikes brakes rubbish in comparison, but good pads and proper adjustment help.

beatts

Excellent advice thanks.

I will give those Salmon pads a whirl and look at getting my gearing serviced by a Shimano approved bike shop.

Whilst I am getting fitter and faster, I'd imagine there probably is no real need to go down the Carbon route I suppose just yet???

But If I were to would I really notice a huge difference, between mine and say a £2K Pinarello or similar?

thescouselander

I would certainly hope so if I was spending that sort of cash.

unixnerd

and look at getting my gearing serviced by a Shimano approved bike shop.

Learn how to do it yourself, it's not hard. See the Park Tools website and loads of youtube videos.

beatts

Really, but I wonder how good one would have to be to notice.

It still boils down to individual fitness at the end of the day I reckon.
Even if I was on a ultegra kitted carbon bike there would still be some old duffer on a 10 speed steel frame whipping my arse.

keef66

Sad but true.

Evil Laugh

Best thing to do is rock up to a local shop and try out some 2k carbon bikes with 105. You'll find the answer to both your questions!

MikeWW

beatts wrote:

Excellent advice thanks.

I will give those Salmon pads a whirl and look at getting my gearing serviced by a Shimano approved bike shop.

Whilst I am getting fitter and faster, I'd imagine there probably is no real need to go down the Carbon route I suppose just yet???

But If I were to would I really notice a huge difference, between mine and say a £2K Pinarello or similar?

Not a huge difference. Put some better and lighter wheels on and some pro race 3 tyres and it will feel more responsive. I bought a £2k carbon bike as an upgrade and love it-but thats mainly because it looks great Haven't won any races yet!!

lol headwind

I upgraded a slightly abused 7speed Sora compact groupset to standard 105 and it was brilliant. If you are happy with what you have, I see no reason for not sticking with it, but I love my 105 groupset. It was one of those upgrades that made me faster just because it felt so good. The Sora was second hand with a slightly bent chain ring and massive cassette spacing though.

optimisticbiker

As others have said, the change to a higher groupset will make very little difference to perforrmance. A 'newer' bike will have some effect, possible because a carbon bike will generally have a more agressive aero riding position and a lighter bike will always climb hills better. Changing your existing wheelset will give the most 'bang for the buck'.

Incidentally, changing the shifters from Sora to Tiagra is a good upgrade if you want to get rid of the thumb button, but you can't upgrade to 105 shifters without doing the whole groupset as the 10speed has a different spacing.

As always, the best upgrade you can do is you..

Pickled Pig

I upgraded my MTB from Deore to SLX and fitted hydro disks and wheels. In the end, accounting for what I'd have sold my bike for, it cost as much as buying a new bike with the better spec plus a lot of hassle. I wouldn't upgrade again.

Headhuunter

thescouselander wrote:

It might be worth upgrading for reduced weight or more gears but I don't think the shifting will improve that much. If properly set up the Sora kit should shift quite smoothly without need for too much adjustment.

Besides, upgrading the group set is likely to be expensive, how much are you prepared to spend?

Upgrading from Sora to 105 or even Tiagra would definitely result in a noticeable difference, I've got bikes with all 3 groupsets and 105 is definitely smoother and lighter to use whereas Sora is clunkier. Having said that, accuracy of shifting is good with Sora, it just takes more of a "push" on the lever to shift, whereas shifting with 105 can be done with your little finger... Braking with Sora as opposed to 105 is "spongier", 105 braking is light and fast. However, as you say, upgrading groupset is pretty expensive and may not be worth it, depending on what bike you have...

dawebbo

I don't think the groupset upgrade is worth it on that bike - I would save your money.

New wheels are a consideration but probably still overkill.

If it was me, good tyres and brake pads are as far as I'd go.

nochekmate

Merlin were doing a version of Shimano 105 5600 groupset for £280 (assuming 170mm cranks and tektro callipers are ok) or £330 for other sizes.

http://www.merlincycles.co.uk/Bike+Shop ... -GROUP.htm

Strip the Sora groupset and flog it on eBay (if it's in good condition there'll be a fair markey for it as people are looking to put winter bikes together at the moment). You may find that you get a fair chunk of your spend on the 105 back.

thescouselander

Headhuunter wrote:

thescouselander wrote:

It might be worth upgrading for reduced weight or more gears but I don't think the shifting will improve that much. If properly set up the Sora kit should shift quite smoothly without need for too much adjustment.

Besides, upgrading the group set is likely to be expensive, how much are you prepared to spend?

Upgrading from Sora to 105 or even Tiagra would definitely result in a noticeable difference, I've got bikes with all 3 groupsets and 105 is definitely smoother and lighter to use whereas Sora is clunkier. Having said that, accuracy of shifting is good with Sora, it just takes more of a "push" on the lever to shift, whereas shifting with 105 can be done with your little finger... Braking with Sora as opposed to 105 is "spongier", 105 braking is light and fast. However, as you say, upgrading groupset is pretty expensive and may not be worth it, depending on what bike you have...

I'm sure you're right. The very fact that 105 is 10 speed means the mechanical ratios can be changed to make shifting lighter. I'd disagree that there is something fundamental about sora kit that would make braking spongy - this could easily be caused by something like the brake cables having a bit of stretch. I'm sure poor braking can be sorted without replacing the whole groupset. I can't see the leavers or calipers flexing much. All I know is that the sora/tektro setup on my bike brakes very well although I have ridden bikes with apparently similar setups that felt completely different.

I guess it all depends on what the op wants to spend. If it was me I'd probably get a different bike rather than doing such a significant and expensive upgrade.

austin_parratt

I have the same bike as you (Giant Defy 3), and I am also lucky enough to have a Campagnolo Chorus 11 Ribble ....

Best upgrade I made to the Giant was upgrading the brake blocks!! Made a huge difference, espcially in the wet!

I have to say that I find my Sora groupset on the Giant pretty smooth, perhaps (dare I say it) smoother than the Campag (Although Campag are known for being slightly clunky)... The weight difference however is MASSIVE, oh and there are also the looks ...

nochekmate

.....and the price difference!