Discussion
I am having a small dilemma, I have a trek 1.2 which is ok as a starter road bike, but came with Shimano Sora shifters which I dislike intensely. I have done enough miles now that it's time to replace the chain again and probably the rear cassette. This presents me with three options:
1 replace the worn out bits (£70)
2 flog the bike on flea-bay and get something else at around £800
3 upgrade shifters, cassette, chain, and possibly rear derailleur (£400)
Three questions,
Am I going to get a much smoother shift from dura ace shifters?
Do I need to replace the derailleur with something specifically designed for a 10 speed?
Is throwing £400 at a trek 1.2 a waste of cash, and is this the ideal time to chop it in as it's only 1 year old?
1 replace the worn out bits (£70)
2 flog the bike on flea-bay and get something else at around £800
3 upgrade shifters, cassette, chain, and possibly rear derailleur (£400)
Three questions,
Am I going to get a much smoother shift from dura ace shifters?
Do I need to replace the derailleur with something specifically designed for a 10 speed?
Is throwing £400 at a trek 1.2 a waste of cash, and is this the ideal time to chop it in as it's only 1 year old?
The current mech is a 9speed, wasn't sure if there might be an issue with the chain width or the indexing if I didn't replace it. As to my issue with the levers, it's primarily the fact that you shift the entire brake lever, not just an inner lever, and they don't have a reassuring feel. One other minor niggle is that the front shifter is a triple and I only have two front rings.
The feel of Dura Ace will be similar to Sora. You might expect it to be slightly smoother, but a lot of that is down to adjustment more than anything else. The mechanical principle - i.e. moving the whole lever to shift is consistent across all Shimano groups. Sram and Campag hae slightly different systems. Some Sram bits are compatible with your existing Shimano kit. Campag will require a whole new drivetrain. Get down your LBS and try them out to help you make a decision.
As above, you will simply swap your thumb shift for an inner lever to change to a higher gear. Changing to lower gears you still sweep the entire lever inwards. There is a difference in the quality of the shift as you go up the range but it is pretty small.
When you say triple front mech, I would be surprised if any manufacturer shipped a bike like that. Do you mean the front mech trimming function - it's like a hidden click in between the two front rings and it alters the front mech very slightly to help avoid chain rub on the inner plates when you are cross chaining a little. It helps give you a better overlap of gears
If you're happy with your current bike then keep it and upgrade it, if you fancy a change then sell it and buy another with a better groupset
When you say triple front mech, I would be surprised if any manufacturer shipped a bike like that. Do you mean the front mech trimming function - it's like a hidden click in between the two front rings and it alters the front mech very slightly to help avoid chain rub on the inner plates when you are cross chaining a little. It helps give you a better overlap of gears
If you're happy with your current bike then keep it and upgrade it, if you fancy a change then sell it and buy another with a better groupset
i guess it could be a trim function as i have yet to take the chain off the rings by pushing too far, but when going down using the thumb shift i often have to press it twice to change down. Having looked at the prices of bikes with 105/dura ace components it looks like replacing the entire bike to get away from low end components is going to be too expensive.
robpearson said:
i guess it could be a trim function as i have yet to take the chain off the rings by pushing too far, but when going down using the thumb shift i often have to press it twice to change down.
Yes that;s the trim function. It's present in the whole range of "double" front shifters right up to Ultegra. Dura Ace doesn't have any trim because professional riders are not likely to cross chain.robpearson said:
Having looked at the prices of bikes with 105/dura ace components it looks like replacing the entire bike to get away from low end components is going to be too expensive.
Why not look for a second hand bike with 105 or above? Should be easy to pick one of those up in your budgetGooby said:
Does the frame warrant an upgrade of components? If not then sell it.
This. If the bike you have is in good condition, it will sell relatively easily. I would have thought it is worth chopping it in for a better frame to base the bike on.Get yourself you your local Evans or suchlike and see what shifters you like the feeling of, that will certainly help you in the quest for a new one...
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