Better wheels or better group set for my Sensa Romagna

gary81

I'm just about to buy my first road bike and after months of deliberation have decided on the Sensa Romagna at Merlin Cycles, gets great reviews and seems awesome value for money. I have one last question though....

My budget is 700ish, Do I go for...

A. Sensa Romagna Special with compact Shimano 105 5700, FC560 Chainset, 105 BR560 Calipers and stock Supra RA Comp wheels for £725

Or

B. Sensa Romagna custom build and downgrade the groupset to full Tiagra (only triple available) but upgrade the wheels to Mavic Aksiums for £705

I'm leaning towards B but want a second opinion.

Cheers

danlikesbikes

Though one really.

Your more likely to notice the difference in wheels than the group set initially. Though you might want to also consider changing the tyres too as they can make quite a difference.

If your thinking of doing anything else to the bike at a later date? Then you could always upgrade your group set then.

Anonymous

How do you feel about having a triple?

I would say go for the 105 and upgrade the wheels later, if only not to have the cable coming out the side of the levers lol.
You can get whatever wheels you like and might see some in a sale.
A lot easier to change than a groupset. What would you do with the old one? Throw it in the bin?
With wheels you could use old ones as a winter set or I would have thought at least easier to sell.

Could you not just increase your budget now and get both. That way you can get on with enjoying the bike rather than thinking about upgrading.

Gizmodo

I would plan to go for the 105 and save a few quid each month to buy new wheels in the summer or even next year.

pride4ever

Personally I would save up another 300 and buy a better bike but if your minds set on the SENSA I'd go option 2. By the way the Sensa is a good bike, just saying...

Anonymous

+1 on above, but did not want to confuse matters.
Have you asked if they will upgrade the wheels to the Mavic's?

gary81

I think i'd prefer a compact but I'm not that bothered by a triple either, being new to gears (I rode a single speed to work in London but have now moved to Devon and it just won't cut it) but I definitely here you on the cable thing. At least with a triple I know I wouldn't be missing out on anything I suppose.

Your right I'll contact them and see how much they'll upgrade to the Mavic's for at least that way I won't have any doubts about either. If they're too much more I can always get some at a later date, the stock wheels do get a good write up I just can't find any other reviews on them where as there's loads on the Mavic's.

Lightning

If you prefer the compact it's probably better to go with the 105 and just upgrade wheels later. That way you may even get some nicer wheels if you want.

petemadoc

105 and upgrade wheels at a later date

TakeTurns

Not knowing any background information about you, it's hard to say.

As for the stock wheels; they'll go out of tru and you'll have to keep getting them repaired.

Tiagra is a perfectly well functioning groupset for any amateur. The triple will help you up the hills if you do not yet have the legs.

gaanrowl

id go for the 105, i would think it would be chgeaper to upgrade the wheels than the full group in future, i cant see much info on the wheels they might be great value for money.

Buckie2k5

deffo go for the 105.

Anonymous

So what did you go for? Wheels, groupset or increased budget?

Never let anyone make you feel that a bike/component is too good for you just because you are new to road riding.
Get the best you can (within reason of course) and enjoy your new bike.

smidsy

IMO wheels make a more noticeable difference.

The Groupset basically just works, any improvement is generally with shifting (smoother) but modern Tiagra is fine.

gary81

I'm going for the 105, I'd be stupid not to at that price.

I haven't spoken to Merlin yet but think I'll leave the wheels as they are, for only an extra 50 quid, which is the custom uograde price, the Mavics are probably not that much better. I'm gonna wait to see if I get the use out of the bike I'm planning too and if I do give them proper upgrade further down the line, I'm sure I'll be back for suggestions.

Cheers for all the feedback

snipsnap

also got the romagna special - its a lot of bike for the price. The Supra wheels are fine - no complaints with em, but I put 4 season tyres on mine.

great bike, very fast and light - doesn't take guards though I don't know if that's important to you or not?!

lochindaal

As the Aksiums are a budget wheel anyway i would go for Option A.

Save your pennies and get a wheel upgrade later where you will really notice the difference

Anonymous

I think you made the right choice. Seems to be the more popular advice on here too.
Have fun with the bike ;-)

Hope you get the bug (and cash) and change out those wheels at some point. You are in no rush but start saving now ;-)
Its fun looking for top of the range road wheels with massive discounts. Your bike bill be a more suitable home for them with its 105 groupset, and you can sell the bike with the old ones on if and when that happens.

Think its unlikely you would have ever upgraded from Tiagra to 105, and if you did you would have felt that you should have bought it in the first place.

secretsam

I'd go a) also, you can pick up Aksiums/Fulcrum R7 for about £130 a pair, as others have said bung the old wheels on Flea Bay or use them in winter. Merlin do cheap wheels as well as bikes, have a chat they might do a deal

PS: Sensas - any cop??? Never heard of them...

smidsy

Sensa are relatively new in the UK and Merlin Cycles seem to be the main distributor here.

They are getting rave reviews all over so worth a look if you are in the market.

snipsnap

SecretSam wrote:

PS: Sensas - any cop??? Never heard of them...

Yeah, all the reviews of their bikes at present are very positive. I got mine as merlin are just up the road from where I live, so after calling in couldn't believe the spec for the price. The Romagna got a rave review in one of the mags, and deservedly so.

Cyclist has a review of the Sensa Guilia this month; again very positive for the price range, though that is above 2k so doubt will get much mention in this beginners forum!