New bike? or upgrade what I have?

[uncinqsix]

After stripping down my rear hub on my road bike and finding the cones pretty much knackered, and the cups looking a bit iffy as well, I started thinking about how much longer I want to be maintaining the old thing and whether I should start planning for the eventual upgrade.

Here it is:



It's a bit of a frankenbike based on a 1995 Giant CFR1, which is an aluminium-lugged carbon fiber frame with an aluminium fork. The groupset is mainly shimano RX100 (8 speed) with a bit of old 105 and a Sugino compact crank. I put it together a couple of years ago to see if I liked road biking, with no real long term expectations of it. It's cosmetically tatty, but generally mechanically sound, although I would like some more gears so I can get a better low range without spreading the ratios out too much.

So, I was thinking about what I might like to replace it with, and to be honest I don't really like the look of the modern crop of big-name road bikes. I kind of want something a bit different. A bit retro. A little like what I have...

I'm now wondering whether it might be fun to strip the CFR1 down, get a carbon fork for it (change the headset to 1" threadless) and either paint the frame something a little less 90's than the current candy blue, or strip it back to bare carbon/aluminium and clearcoat the whole thing. Then fit a complete modern 11 speed 105 groupset, a good wheelset, new bars and anything else I feel like replacing.

Would this be a completely stupid idea? I don't have a massive budget, and it would be easier to sneak lots of smaller purchasers past the financial controller than going out and dropping $2500 - $3000+ in one hit. I'm not sure I would end up actually saving a lot of money by going down this route though.

I also like the look of something like a Genesis Equilibrium or similar, but they're not sold in this part of the world. I don't need anything ultra-light or ultra modern: just something fun and comfortable to ride on the weekends. I've never actually ridden a modern road bike, so I have no idea what I might be missing out on with the current one

[SystemParanoia]

Im in a similar position to you my friend.
ill be watching this with inerest.

[Kermit power]

Personally I really don't like the retro look, and much prefer modern bikes, but if I've correctly understood your description of the frame and it would come up with black carbon tubing between shiny silver joints, then I reckon that would be a stunning sight!

Do it! Then post photos!

[Spyder5]

I would say that unless the frame is very special or you love it, replace it! Painting it is going to be a faff and will cost more than you expect.

I too like the retro look and don't really like the garish graphics on modern bikes. If you want a complete bike, have a look at the Pashley Pathfinder or buy a Titanium frame and get the components you want separately. The Van Nicholas Titanium frame is stunning!

Edit to add: if you haven't ridden a modern bike, go and try one just for the hell of it - the gear mechanisms have come on a lot since the 90's. I have only used Shimano so can't comment on other brands, but give the 11 speed 105 or Ultegra a go.

Edited by Spyder5 on Saturday 28th November 12:25

[Stiggolas]

I think I'd replace it too. You don't want to be stripping carbon unless you really know what you're doing, many chemicals will badly weaken it. To change to more gears will need the rear dropouts spacing out further. You can't do this with carbon or aluminium, steel not a problem.
I'm all for retro, I have a 1980s steel frame in the garage waiting to be painted but i think you will struggle with that frame / forks to get what you want.

Marcus

[gazza285]

Stiggolas said:

To change to more gears will need the rear dropouts spacing out further. You can't do this with carbon or aluminium, steel not a problem.

The dropouts don't need moving, they are already 130mm wide.

I'd keep it myself, the RX100 groupset was quality stuff, I still have an old Raleigh with 8 speed RX100 on it, still working fine. I'd be getting some new wheels, with shallow black rims, I think they would suit the bike more than the silver DP18s you have on there now. Paint the forks black. If you could strip the bike and polish the lugs, even better...

Edited by gazza285 on Sunday 29th November 16:08

[craigthecoupe]

i love a retro bike, so i'd just upgrade what you need to and ride it as it is. a paint job is only really worth it if it means that much to you.
with regards to a groupset, i really don't think i can tell the difference regardless of what i ride. i have a shampag steely with rsx shifters, sora rear mech, and rsx 100 front with a campag chainset that behaves beautifully. a full campag chorus 10 speed on my ally giant ocr, and sram rival 10 on my carbon dolan. i think you'd get more out of new cables, brake pads, tyres, and replacing any worn bearings than any groupset upgrade (unless not financially viable)
in short, i'd just ride it and love it.

[uncinqsix]

gazza285 said:

I'd keep it myself, the RX100 groupset was quality stuff, I still have an old Raleigh with 8 speed RX100 on it, still working fine. I'd be getting some new wheels, with shallow black rims, I think they would suit the bike more than the silver DP18s you have on there now. Paint the forks black. If you could strip the bike and polish the lugs, even better...

The DP18s are actually the same as what the bike had originally...

I think I agree with everyone. Stripping or painting it would be a massive faff, and realistically I'm not going to have the time to put into it in the near future. The frame holds no real sentimental value.

Makes sense to just keep it running for the next couple of years. The RX100 does indeed work and shift very well (particularly after I partially stripped and relubricated the shifters), but the only niggle is the lack of cassette choices. Wouldn't mind going a fraction lower.

I can get that titanium frame later

[gazza285]

8 speed cassettes are still available, what do you have on there now?

[uncinqsix]

gazza285 said:

8 speed cassettes are still available, what do you have on there now?

SRAM 12-26. The chainrings are 36-50, so my lowest is 36/26. It's OK, but there are a few steepish hills around here where I'd prefer to be spinning a bit faster.

I've never felt the need for anything smaller than the 12 (and I rarely even use that), so an 11 would be wasting a valuable cog. Ideally, I'd have a 12-28, but they don't exist. The closest is 11-28.

Another option would be to try replacing the 36t chainring with a 34t.

[gazza285]

IRD make a 12 28 cassette, if you can find one. Probably easier changing the front ring.