Groupset Upgrade?

ranarama

I've got a Specialized Allez 2010 and haven't done any upgrades since I've had it. It's getting a bit tired, the chain has stretched, the chainset needs replacing as some of the teeth are worn and I struggle with hills over 10% with just an 8 speed cassette. I can't afford a new bike so though I might as well upgrade to a new 10 or even 11 speed groupset. I was looking at the Shimano 105 5800 but I have no idea about compatibility so will it fit my bike?

arlowood

ranarama wrote:

I've got a Specialized Allez 2010 and haven't done any upgrades since I've had it. It's getting a bit tired, the chain has stretched, the chainset needs replacing as some of the teeth are worn and I struggle with hills over 10% with just an 8 speed cassette. I can't afford a new bike so though I might as well upgrade to a new 10 or even 11 speed groupset. I was looking at the Shimano 105 5800 but I have no idea about compatibility so will it fit my bike?

A quick Google suggests that your bike came originally with Shimano 2300 gearing Double (52/39) chainset and 8 speed (12-25 cassette) The only issue with upgrading to 105 5800 is that,as far as I can establish, the 2300 chainset is a square taper design so you will need to factor in a new bottom bracket to accept the 5800 Hollowtech II chainset. Something like this would suit

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/shim ... lsrc=aw.ds

It follows therefore that you will need to invest in a crank puller and special tool to remove the square taper chainset and bottom bracket. You will also need an installation tool for the Hollowtech BB.

You could of course farm these jobs out to your LBS if you're not confident doing it yourself.

IMHO you should go for the 105 5800 set up with a compact (50/34) chainset with either a short cage rear derailleur and 11-28 cassette or a medium cage rear derailleur and 11-32 cassette. Either would help with the hills compared to your existing 8-speed set-up

ranarama

arlowood wrote:

ranarama wrote:

I've got a Specialized Allez 2010 and haven't done any upgrades since I've had it. It's getting a bit tired, the chain has stretched, the chainset needs replacing as some of the teeth are worn and I struggle with hills over 10% with just an 8 speed cassette. I can't afford a new bike so though I might as well upgrade to a new 10 or even 11 speed groupset. I was looking at the Shimano 105 5800 but I have no idea about compatibility so will it fit my bike?

A quick Google suggests that your bike came originally with Shimano 2300 gearing Double (52/39) chainset and 8 speed (12-25 cassette) The only issue with upgrading to 105 5800 is that,as far as I can establish, the 2300 chainset is a square taper design so you will need to factor in a new bottom bracket to accept the 5800 Hollowtech II chainset. Something like this would suit

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/shim ... lsrc=aw.ds

It follows therefore that you will need to invest in a crank puller and special tool to remove the square taper chainset and bottom bracket. You will also need an installation tool for the Hollowtech BB.

You could have course farm these jobs out to your LBS if you're not confident doing it yourself.

IMHO you should go for the 105 5800 set up with a compact (50/34) chainset with either a short cage rear derailleur and 11-28 cassette or a medium cage rear derailleur and 11-32 cassette. Either would help with the hills compared to your existing 8-speed set-up

That's extremely helpful. Thank you.

gethinceri

OR......check to see how much a replacement square taper bb is (I use Shimano UH55 which cost about £10.00) and replacement chainrings.
SRAM cassetttes also very good value and Shimano compatible. They do 11-28 and your derailleur cage will cope with it but you'll need a longer chain.
No "special tools" required in many cases except Shimano bb tool (£10.00?) an allen key and a lump hammer/mallet.

StillGoing

By the time you factor in the tools, groupset, wheels, tyres and anything else you want to replace, I'd say buy a new bike. Shop around and you'll find something that is 10 or 11 speed for similar money. I found a barely used Merida Sculpture with 10 speed 105 listed for £500 within minutes of searching.

ranarama

philthy3 wrote:

By the time you factor in the tools, groupset, wheels, tyres and anything else you want to replace, I'd say buy a new bike. Shop around and you'll find something that is 10 or 11 speed for similar money. I found a barely used Merida Sculpture with 10 speed 105 listed for £500 within minutes of searching.

Thanks. Tools shouldn't be an issue as my neighbour has most of what I need. Think I'll mull it over for a few days. The parcel with a new groupset will be easier to explain than a new bike mind.

dinyull

Your probably going to need a new set of wheels too, for 11 speed 105.

And depending on your current cassette ratio, 11 speed isn't going to be much different to what you already have so it won't make hills any easier.

rolf_f

ranarama wrote:

It's getting a bit tired, the chain has stretched, the chainset needs replacing as some of the teeth are worn

The chainset won't need replacing unless it causes slipping when you have a new chain and cassette on. The fact that you say that 'some of the teeth are worn' suggests that probably you are just noticing that some of the teeth are oddly shaped which is how they may have been when new. If the chainset needs replacing, all of the teeth will be worn unless you are doing something very odd with your bike!