Swapping Groupsets! Need advice!
08-01-14, 12:34 PM
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Swapping Groupsets! Need advice!
So i have a giant Defy 3(2012) and its out fitted with Shimano Sora components. Here are the specs from their website. I'm pretty sure it is stock and the LBS didnt change anything.
Shifters Shimano Sora
Front Derailleur Shimano Sora
Rear Derailleur Shimano Sora
Brakes Tektro TK-R340 Giant Specific, Dual Pivot
Brake Levers Shimano Sora
Cassette Shimano HG-50 12x25, 9-Speed
Chain KMC HG-73
Crankset Shimano Sora, 34/50
Bottom Bracket Shimano, External
I am contemplating picking up a Shimano 105 5700 set from merlin cycles. It contains:
Shimano 105 5700 Chainset - Black 175mm 34/50
Shimano 105 5700 10 Speed Cassette 12-27
Shimano 105 5700 STI Levers - Black
Shimano 105 5700 Front Derailleur - Braze-On - Black
Shimano 105 5701 Rear Derailleur - Black
Shimano 105 5700 Brake Calipers - Black - Pair
Shimano 105 5700 Bottom Bracket British Standard
Shimano 105 5701 Chain
My question is will this be compatible? Are there any forseeable issues I may run into that I'm not seeing up front? Do you guys think this is even worth doing?
One reason for the change is that I got a used bike for my wife and the components on it are pretty old & crappy and I wouldn't mind swapping out hers for my old ones and just upgrading mine since she doesn't ride nearly as much as me. (She's mostly family bike rides and occasional rides with me, while I ride on weekends and commute a few times a week to work)
I'm kinda new to working on bikes and I want to use this as a way to continue to learn. My goal is to make this my winter project after it gets too cold to ride outdoors.(which at the rate this midwest summer is going, will be next week
)
Any advice would be great thanks.
Shifters Shimano Sora
Front Derailleur Shimano Sora
Rear Derailleur Shimano Sora
Brakes Tektro TK-R340 Giant Specific, Dual Pivot
Brake Levers Shimano Sora
Cassette Shimano HG-50 12x25, 9-Speed
Chain KMC HG-73
Crankset Shimano Sora, 34/50
Bottom Bracket Shimano, External
I am contemplating picking up a Shimano 105 5700 set from merlin cycles. It contains:
Shimano 105 5700 Chainset - Black 175mm 34/50
Shimano 105 5700 10 Speed Cassette 12-27
Shimano 105 5700 STI Levers - Black
Shimano 105 5700 Front Derailleur - Braze-On - Black
Shimano 105 5701 Rear Derailleur - Black
Shimano 105 5700 Brake Calipers - Black - Pair
Shimano 105 5700 Bottom Bracket British Standard
Shimano 105 5701 Chain
My question is will this be compatible? Are there any forseeable issues I may run into that I'm not seeing up front? Do you guys think this is even worth doing?
One reason for the change is that I got a used bike for my wife and the components on it are pretty old & crappy and I wouldn't mind swapping out hers for my old ones and just upgrading mine since she doesn't ride nearly as much as me. (She's mostly family bike rides and occasional rides with me, while I ride on weekends and commute a few times a week to work)
I'm kinda new to working on bikes and I want to use this as a way to continue to learn. My goal is to make this my winter project after it gets too cold to ride outdoors.(which at the rate this midwest summer is going, will be next week
)Any advice would be great thanks.
08-01-14, 12:48 PM
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You might experience more issues getting the Sora on her's. Your upgrade sounds pretty straight forward. What about 4600? Or 5800 if you wheels are 11-speed ready?
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08-01-14, 12:58 PM
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I'll be honest, I just assumed from reading other posts on the forums and searching that the 105's would be better than the 4600. The 5800's might be a little more than I can spend now(or the wife will let me
) but I also am not sure if my wheels are 11-speed ready.
) but I also am not sure if my wheels are 11-speed ready.
08-01-14, 01:15 PM
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True, 5700 is 1100 more than 4600 (but it may not be faster - and it costs more). At the same time, a move to 4600 may not be worth doing. Some people swear the exposed shifter cables perform just a touch better; some hate the look. Best wishes whichever route you go.
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"The older you do get, the more rules they're gonna try to get you to follow. You just gotta keep livin', man, L-I-V-I-N." - Wooderson
'14 carbon Synapse - '12 CAAD 10 5 - '99 Gary Fisher Big Sur
"The older you do get, the more rules they're gonna try to get you to follow. You just gotta keep livin', man, L-I-V-I-N." - Wooderson
'14 carbon Synapse - '12 CAAD 10 5 - '99 Gary Fisher Big Sur
08-01-14, 01:22 PM
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The only problem could be the front derailleur. Does the Defy use a clamp-on or a braze-on? It's not a deal breaker, but you might need to pick up a clamp-on adapter(they are cheap).
08-01-14, 01:24 PM
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Everything should be fine except possibly the front derailer. The 105 groupset you listed has the braze-on version of the FD. Does your frame have a braze-on FD mount? If not, then you need to get a braze-on FD adapter that looks something like this:
Whether you get the braze-on FD or the clamp FD, you will need to get the correct size to fit your downtube.
Whether you get the braze-on FD or the clamp FD, you will need to get the correct size to fit your downtube.
08-01-14, 01:46 PM
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Everything should be fine except possibly the front derailer. The 105 groupset you listed has the braze-on version of the FD. Does your frame have a braze-on FD mount? If not, then you need to get a braze-on FD adapter that looks something like this:
Whether you get the braze-on FD or the clamp FD, you will need to get the correct size to fit your downtube.
Whether you get the braze-on FD or the clamp FD, you will need to get the correct size to fit your downtube.
I'm not a racer its mostly recreation, fitness and commuting but after a ride I did in Colorado and using a rented Bike out there that was fitted with Ultegra, I've since noticed how much smoother the shifting was on that bike compared to mine. But I cant afford to make that big of a jump, I figured 105's would be a nice middle ground. Plus the price of them on Merlins was about where I wanted to be.
But if there are any other suggestions I'm open to ideas. I'm sort of in the preliminary part of just getting ready and doing the research and getting feedback.
08-01-14, 02:37 PM
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[EDIT] See below
New cables (Unless the shifters include cables)
Something like:
Amazon.com : Jagwire Road Pro Complete Road Brake And Derailleur Kit White, One Size : Bike Shift Cables And Housing : Sports & Outdoors
There are a ton of different cable options out there. For under-bar cabling (5700) Teflon coated is generally considered to offer the best shifting.
New cables (Unless the shifters include cables)
Something like:
Amazon.com : Jagwire Road Pro Complete Road Brake And Derailleur Kit White, One Size : Bike Shift Cables And Housing : Sports & Outdoors
There are a ton of different cable options out there. For under-bar cabling (5700) Teflon coated is generally considered to offer the best shifting.
Last edited by gsa103; 08-01-14 at 03:16 PM.
08-01-14, 03:15 PM
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08-01-14, 09:24 PM
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So i have a giant Defy 3(2012) and its out fitted with Shimano Sora components. Here are the specs from their website. I'm pretty sure it is stock and the LBS didnt change anything.
Shifters Shimano Sora
Front Derailleur Shimano Sora
Rear Derailleur Shimano Sora
Brakes Tektro TK-R340 Giant Specific, Dual Pivot
Brake Levers Shimano Sora
Cassette Shimano HG-50 12x25, 9-Speed
Chain KMC HG-73
Crankset Shimano Sora, 34/50
Bottom Bracket Shimano, External
I am contemplating picking up a Shimano 105 5700 set from merlin cycles. It contains:
Shimano 105 5700 Chainset - Black 175mm 34/50
Shimano 105 5700 10 Speed Cassette 12-27
Shimano 105 5700 STI Levers - Black
Shimano 105 5700 Front Derailleur - Braze-On - Black
Shimano 105 5701 Rear Derailleur - Black
Shimano 105 5700 Brake Calipers - Black - Pair
Shimano 105 5700 Bottom Bracket British Standard
Shimano 105 5701 Chain
My question is will this be compatible? Are there any forseeable issues I may run into that I'm not seeing up front? Do you guys think this is even worth doing?
One reason for the change is that I got a used bike for my wife and the components on it are pretty old & crappy and I wouldn't mind swapping out hers for my old ones and just upgrading mine since she doesn't ride nearly as much as me. (She's mostly family bike rides and occasional rides with me, while I ride on weekends and commute a few times a week to work)
I'm kinda new to working on bikes and I want to use this as a way to continue to learn. My goal is to make this my winter project after it gets too cold to ride outdoors.(which at the rate this midwest summer is going, will be next week)
Any advice would be great thanks.
Shifters Shimano Sora
Front Derailleur Shimano Sora
Rear Derailleur Shimano Sora
Brakes Tektro TK-R340 Giant Specific, Dual Pivot
Brake Levers Shimano Sora
Cassette Shimano HG-50 12x25, 9-Speed
Chain KMC HG-73
Crankset Shimano Sora, 34/50
Bottom Bracket Shimano, External
I am contemplating picking up a Shimano 105 5700 set from merlin cycles. It contains:
Shimano 105 5700 Chainset - Black 175mm 34/50
Shimano 105 5700 10 Speed Cassette 12-27
Shimano 105 5700 STI Levers - Black
Shimano 105 5700 Front Derailleur - Braze-On - Black
Shimano 105 5701 Rear Derailleur - Black
Shimano 105 5700 Brake Calipers - Black - Pair
Shimano 105 5700 Bottom Bracket British Standard
Shimano 105 5701 Chain
My question is will this be compatible? Are there any forseeable issues I may run into that I'm not seeing up front? Do you guys think this is even worth doing?
One reason for the change is that I got a used bike for my wife and the components on it are pretty old & crappy and I wouldn't mind swapping out hers for my old ones and just upgrading mine since she doesn't ride nearly as much as me. (She's mostly family bike rides and occasional rides with me, while I ride on weekends and commute a few times a week to work)
I'm kinda new to working on bikes and I want to use this as a way to continue to learn. My goal is to make this my winter project after it gets too cold to ride outdoors.(which at the rate this midwest summer is going, will be next week
)Any advice would be great thanks.
Because there isn't really that much functional difference between Sora and 5700.
After you replace only what you need, then you can get NEW for your wife's bike. You'd probably be able to outfit her with 10-speed Tiagra and wind up with both bikes being 10-speed, which will reduce your need for spares and replacements for wear parts like cassettes and chains.
08-01-14, 09:31 PM
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The price on that 5800 group looks good over at Ribble. Looks like it goes on sale in just a few days for $441
Like others have said though the 10 speed Tiagra is nice and you can get the complete group for $328
Like others have said though the 10 speed Tiagra is nice and you can get the complete group for $328
08-04-14, 07:56 AM
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Sorry I was gone all weekend and hadnt had a chance to check back, but thanks everyone for the advice. I have a lot to think about now haha.
I saw they just went on sale. After talking to my LBS he told me that my wheel should be good to fit 11 speed so that 5800 is looking real nice now.
I saw they just went on sale. After talking to my LBS he told me that my wheel should be good to fit 11 speed so that 5800 is looking real nice now.
08-04-14, 09:06 AM
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You will want to double check that your wheels are 11-speed. A lot of manufacturers are still putting 10-speed only wheels on their lower end bikes.
If you see a big spacer - about 1.8mm - between the cassette and the end of the freehub, then it is 11-speed capable. If you do not see those spacers, you do not have an 11-speed wheelset.
And chances are, that wheelset is not upgradeable to 11-speed as entry level wheels often are not upgradeable.
If you see a big spacer - about 1.8mm - between the cassette and the end of the freehub, then it is 11-speed capable. If you do not see those spacers, you do not have an 11-speed wheelset.
And chances are, that wheelset is not upgradeable to 11-speed as entry level wheels often are not upgradeable.
08-04-14, 12:21 PM
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+1 Even if your current cranks are 175mm, are you sure that's the right length? Would you be better served by 170 or 172.5? Chainrings...sounds like you're going like-for-like. Cassette... any particular reason on the 12-27 vs. 11-28? Also, the cassette is one area where I had an 11-28 5700 (105) and went to a 12-30 6700 (Ultegra) and definitely noticed a difference in quality in shifting. Spend just a few dollars more (really...it's a very small difference) and make that the one component you upgrade to Ultegra during this change.
08-04-14, 12:55 PM
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You will want to double check that your wheels are 11-speed. A lot of manufacturers are still putting 10-speed only wheels on their lower end bikes.
If you see a big spacer - about 1.8mm - between the cassette and the end of the freehub, then it is 11-speed capable. If you do not see those spacers, you do not have an 11-speed wheelset.
And chances are, that wheelset is not upgradeable to 11-speed as entry level wheels often are not upgradeable.
If you see a big spacer - about 1.8mm - between the cassette and the end of the freehub, then it is 11-speed capable. If you do not see those spacers, you do not have an 11-speed wheelset.
And chances are, that wheelset is not upgradeable to 11-speed as entry level wheels often are not upgradeable.
+1 Even if your current cranks are 175mm, are you sure that's the right length? Would you be better served by 170 or 172.5? Chainrings...sounds like you're going like-for-like. Cassette... any particular reason on the 12-27 vs. 11-28? Also, the cassette is one area where I had an 11-28 5700 (105) and went to a 12-30 6700 (Ultegra) and definitely noticed a difference in quality in shifting. Spend just a few dollars more (really...it's a very small difference) and make that the one component you upgrade to Ultegra during this change.
08-04-14, 01:05 PM
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I would just sell it and buy another new/used bike with the components you want.
08-04-14, 01:44 PM
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