sirjag

Hello everyone,
My wife has this bike:
https://www.liv-cycling.com/us/avail-ar-3

after about 5k miles the and three new chains i'm to the point where i need to replace the crank and gears.

Can i upgrade this bike to a shimano 105 set?

Or do i need to buy this: https://www.liv-cycling.com/us/avail-ar-1

Other motivation is she is on a MED now, and we want to upgrade frame size to LARGE.... but would make due for a couple more years if we can upgrade the unit too 105...

thanks guys,
Jag

alcjphil

Chainrings don't wear out in only 5000 miles. You would have to ride at least 4 times as far

sirjag

fair enough...my rear gears are very worn, need replacement. The chair rings (front sprockets) ARE worn, and initial build quality was suspect, had a slight lateral kink, prolly contributing to the ware issue.

i would like to replace them and the chain rings together and upgrade to 105. Does anyone know if that is possible? I wouldnt spend the money to replace and keep the ****** sora/claris system

JAG

sirjag

if this was a 105 i'd agree with you, mine have near that and still going quite strong...

Andrew R Stewart 

Agree that 5K miles is usually not enough to wear out the chain rings, although other things might promote the need to replace (like power shifting bending teeth or only using one ring all the time and in horrendous conditions). As long as the replacement crankset (or just rings) has a compatible spec things will be fine.

I usually suggest any repairs or improvements are weighed against how the bike serves the rider. If the rider is happy with the handling and fit of the bike than spending more $ on it makes sense. But it seems that there is a fit issue. I suggest dealing with that before any more is done. By handling that I mean deciding if a larger frame will offer some aspect (reach to the bars as a common example) that works better. This is hard to figure out w/out actual test rides on that larger bike. Many people find themselves sort of in between bike sizes, or their legs suggest one size, but their upper body wants another size. This is where both actual experience (that test riding I mentioned) and/or another's experience (a bike fitter as opposed to a bike salesman) can help weigh the bennies for either size. Generally it is easier to "grow" a bike's fit/size than to reduce it. This is why many might choose the smaller size and increase the reach/bat height/seat post length.

But if you're looking for the OK to just buy a new bike for her you have my permission. Andy

icemilkcoffee 

Any pictures of this?

sirjag

Thanks for the replies guys!

icemilkcoffee, sure ill post some after work!

I'm trying to understand if the what she rides already is compatible with upgrading to 105 set....i'm working the google but cant seem to find what i need quite yet.

There is a fit issue, and I considered putting a longer neck...but she has come so far in the past 3-4yrs on this bike we were kinda leaning towards a new one, with larger frame....

IF i can upgrade her current bike to 105, ill prolly do a longer neck.

thanks again,
JAG

KCT1986

Are you thinking 10 sp 105 (5700 series) or 11 sp 105 (5800/R7000)?

Is the rear freehub 11 sp?

sirjag

she currently has 8sp...
would like the 11sp 105, or 10sp

i assume there will be a clearance issue since rear hub is 8sp currently...

freeranger

There are many on this site with better expertise on what will switch out with what, but from what I'm reading, sure sounds like the best option is to go shopping for a new (or used) bike with better fit and better parts. Upgrading all you propose to do is going to be pricey, and there is still the issue of fit.

sirjag

thanks Freeranger! i think you may be right

KCT1986

Is it really 8 sp? Sora went to 9 sp about 10 years ago +/-.

Most 8 sp freehubs can handle 10 sp, but not 11 sp (unless it currently has a spacer behind the cassette to run the 8-10 sp).

The other issue is the brake lever/caliper compatibility. You need to research what you have and what you're considering.

Changing the whole group may be more $$ than you may want to spend.

alcjphil

Consider all this. 8,9,and 10 speed cassettes all use the same width free hub body. 11 speed requires a wider freehub body for most 11 speed cassettes. 10 speed 105 is long out of production and only can be found either used or new old stock. The only current 10 speed option from Shimano is Tiagra which I consider to be superior to the last generation of 10 speed 105. There is a version of 11 speed 105 cassette that will fit your current hub, is is a wide ratio 11-34 which is similar to the wide ratio mountain bike cassettes which also will fit on an 8,9,10 speed free hub. So, what you have to do is price out a full 105 component group(it can be installed on your bike) Since you have asked in this way it would appear that you may require professional help to install it. Factor in that cost. In addition it appears that the current bike is not the correct size and would have to be replaced down the line. It might well be cost effective to sell the current bike, get what you can for it and buy a more suitable bike

sirjag

thanks again everyone....i think we are gonna just buy new, and get the next frame size up!

JAG