Upgrade Advice

dmolloy22

Hi guys and gals,

New member here so please go gently!!

I have a Merida Scultura 903 (http://www.merida-bikes.com/en_int/bikes/road/race/2014/scultura-903-322.html)that I have had for about 18 months. Apart from putting a couple of bottle cages and a mount for my garmin I haven't touched it. I now want to start tinkering!!

I have a budget of about £300 for a new set of wheels and was looking at either Mavik Ksyrium Equipe's (budget wont stretch to Elite's unless I get a decent 2nd hand pair) or Fulcrum Quattro's. Can anyone offer any advice on what you think would be best? (Or indeed any other suggestions). And is there any thing else I need to take in to consideration as I'm a total newbie at all of this!!

Secondly when I first got the bike most of the reviews although massively positive on the bike mentioned that the brake callipers could do with upgrading, so again, now looking to do that. Can anyone give any advice on what I need to look out for with that? Advice of what gear to look for?

Thanks guys

David

keef66

Largely Tiagra groupset but Merida branded (likely Tektro) calipers?

Brake wise it's hard to look beyond the current 105 5800 calipers.

Wheels; the world's your lobster really.

Ultegra, Campag Zondas, Fulcrum Quattros all around the £250 mark. Merlin do the Quattros with decent tyres and tubes for that.

If you can afford a bit more the Fulcrum Racing 3 is £316, or the Shimano RS81 £370. Or you could talk to a reputable wheel builder and get some handbuilt to your specification / requirements for that kind of money.

trailflow

Campagnolo Scirocco 35's are basically the same wheels as the Fulcrum Quattros but with a different spoke pattern and priced cheaper. (Campagnolo own Fulcrum btw).

For brakes. Go for 105 5800 or Ultegra 6800.

dmolloy22

Thanks.

I could stretch my wheel budget for the right ones, so you think it's worth spending a wee bit more?

When replacing the calipers, do I need to replace cables as well or should they be okay?

David

trailflow

You can keep your old cables. If you do want to upgrade them. Shimano Ultegra polymer coated brake cables are excellent and should give you much better braking performance. They are abit pricey at around £20 for a front and rear set including outers. But i think they are worth it.

SoSimple

Recently bought the Fulcrum Racing 3's on offer at wiggle for £275 and have to say they've definitely made a big difference. It may be psychological but I'm definitely knocking time off strava segments.

They are light, stiff etc but tbh 200-300 grams is neither here nor there when like me you're carrying a few extra pounds but the look the business, spin well and make me happy!

I looked at the Kysirium Equipe and I may be wrong but read somewhere they are just a slightly better Aksium wheel, which isn't necessarily a bad thing but isn't what you think you're getting with say a Kysirium Elite.

I was in my LBS today and they were raving about the Vision Team 30 as being great value for money - the ones I took off to replace with the Fulcrums - so what do I know...lol

As for brakes, my bike came with full Ultegra but everything I've read says not to spend the extra when 105 is equally as good with a few extra grams being the difference.

You should be able to pick up a mint 105 set from the classifieds on here for not very much.

KheSanh

Tiagra is a little heavy but I have it on my winter bike and it shifts great so the only thing I'd say is just get it dialled in yourself or by your LBS and don't spend any money on it as it works.

You're spot on, the two best upgrades will be the wheels (including tyres and tubes) and brakes.

I really like Zondas, great bang for your buck, fantastic wheels and if you eventually upgrade to another bike you can use them on the new bike as well. Tyres something like Continental Grand Prix 4000S II or Schwalbe Ultremo ZXs and Planet X lightweight inner tubes. The lighter weight wheel package will transform the way the bike feels and rides.

Brakes, yeah I'd just try and get a pair of 105 brakes on special, they're good.

dmolloy22

My friendly LBS has just offered me a deal for these:

http://www.amclassic.com/en/products/road-wheels/victory-30-tubeless

Anyone had any experience?

juanerasmoe

Regarding brakes, I agree with other. Going from generic brakes to 105 5800 is a great upgrade, and its only 50 quid for the set http://goo.gl/ynPzRO

trailflow

They are cheaper from Wiggle and you get free delivery.
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/shimano-105-5800-brake-calliper/

dmolloy22

Thanks for all the advice guys.

After a wee trip to my LBS I decided against the victory 30 and instead have ordered these:

http://amclassicsales.com/store/index.php/wheels/road-wheels/sprint-350-tubeless-pair.html

I also went the full hog and got him to price match the best deal I had found anywhere for a full 105 groupset rather than just the 105 brakes!

Super excited about it all arriving and seeing what difference it all makes to my times. The wheels in particular at just 1396g against my stock wheels (at roughly 2kgs) should make a massive difference.