Upgrade vs New Bike

MissedTheBreak

I have a 2007 Giant SCR 3.0 running an 8spd triple which I use for commuting (flat commute c9 miles).

The front chainrings are worn and front derailleur seized. I said last year that I would no longer replace any parts on it as they’re mostly 10 years old with exception of chain and cassette so it doesn’t make economic sense anymore.

I looked into going 1x at the front but nobody makes NW chainrings for 8spd. Therefore I’m considering two/three options:

Upgrade:

The frame is okay, a few knocks/scratches but otherwise all good. I could just buy Tiagra 4700 for £250 and that would see me good for probably a good few years (albeit I’d have to run it with the current long drop brakes that I recently replaced anyway).

New bike:

Or I could buy the below which seems to be the best spec for the smallest outlay:

https://www.planetx.co.uk/i/q/CBPXRT58V2SORA/planet-x-rt-58-v2-alloy-shimano-sora-r3000-road-bike

I wouldn’t want to go below that spec, the cables out the side of shifters get in the way of the bike lights.

Alternatively combine the two:

I could get the tiagra groupset (£250) and the RT-58 frameset (£100), then use parts from the current steed and sell the old frame so I get a mostly new bike with a better groupset for c£300 (assuming I could get £50 for my frame).

Any thoughts, or suggestions gratefully received.

yiannism

I would go for the new bike with tiagra. I dont think that its worth to invest on such an old bike

N0bodyOfTheGoat

If the chainring is 104BCD, the On One Ringmaster 1x chainring works, as does the stainless ring for 1x8.

MissedTheBreak

NitrousOxide wrote:

If the chainring is 104BCD, the On One Ringmaster 1x chainring works, as does the stainless ring for 1x8.

Thanks for the suggestion but the existing chainset is 130BCD.

MissedTheBreak

YiannisM wrote:

I would go for the new bike with tiagra. I dont think that its worth to invest on such an old bike

On that basis, having never built a new bike from scratch, would I effectively just need the parts list from the Sora-specced RT-58 at the bottom of the page. I have most spares other than headset, stem and handlebars so actually additional outlay would be minimal.

That would also mean I could keep the existing bike whole and maybe get a better price for it?

flasher

If it's only for commuting buy a new chain set and fd, for under £100.

MissedTheBreak

I’ve spec’d up what I think would be needed for the whole build - any comments?

Part Note Source Cost
Frameset PX RT-58 PX 100.00
Groupset
Tiagra Wiggle/CRC 250.00
Front Mech Clamp 31.8mm PX - Battaglin 2.00
Seat Clamp 31.8mm PX - Selcof 1.50
Headset
Selcof Tapered 1 1/8th - 1.5 integrated PX 40.00
Front brake nut 31mm PX Brake Bolt 2.00
BB Guide PX mid-rise 1.00
Barrel Adjusters PX - x2 PX 2.00
Top cap Top Cap and Star Nut PX - Neco 5.00
Headset spacer set 30mm PX Spacer Set 1 1/8" 2.00
Drop Bars PX - Strada 20.00
Stem PX - Superlight 3D 10.00
Wheels Campy Khamsins
-
Seatpost PBK Carbon
-
Saddle Selle SanMarco
-
Bar Tape Red
-
Cables Inners and Outers/Brake and Gears Shimano
-
Total £435.50

Anything I’ve missed. Not really sure about the headset I need so just followed PX’s spec.

bianchi_dave

Unless you're using what you already have, you've missed pedals and tyres/tubes off your list (or do the Campag wheels come with tyres/tubes?)

MissedTheBreak

Oh yeah, will just be transferring my pedals over and the Campy wheels already have tyres and tubes on. All listed without a price are things I have in the shed!

Keirfergie84

i have just this month had the same issue with my trusty SCR 2007... chainrings were goosed and i had promised not to spend a single quid on fixing the bike after many replacements. So it has now been retired to the aluminium graveyard.

I would have loved to keep the thing going purely for nostalgia but the bike is over 10 years old, and as good as Giant are with frames, i would have concerns over the integrity of the fork, steerer & frame combination after 10 years (4 of which have been 25 mile daily autumn/winter commutes)

So in the long run it will be cheaper and safer to get yourself a new Steed

froze

I think it's pretty much a no brainer, I would get the new bike with Sora which is a better groupset then the old Tiagra due to updates over the years, but new for new Tiagra is better than Sora. If you can possibly rub the kitty more and get her to cough up another $270 Planet Bike as the same bike but spec'd with 105 plus a better wheelset which equals a lighterweight bike and would thus be a sweet deal for just $764, and the reliability would take a huge upward swing.

https://www.planetx.co.uk/i/q/CBPXRT58V ... -road-bike

MiddleRinger

MissedTheBreak wrote:

Cables Inners and Outers/Brake and Gears Shimano
-

Cables and housings will be supplied if you buy a complete groupset.

But personally I think you should just buy a new bike! :-) Those Planet X bikes are a steal.

MissedTheBreak

Thanks all but pushed the button yesterday and ordered the frameset and most parts, just need to order the groupset and headset now (which is out of stock).

I reckon for an outlay of just over £400 it’s a steal to have a brand new Tiagra 4700 equipped bike!

I just need to work out how to build it now. :shock: 8)