Heh. Specialized's tour-themed webpage is funny. Make sure to mouse over her when she's loaded.
(Unless you're talking about doing something inappropriate to a drunk woman, then I think you shouldn't mouse over anyone because that's just wrong.)
The wheelset upgrade on the bike has led to upgrade fever. Why not upgrade the whole drivetrain? Seriously. I've put 2000 miles or so on this one and by the time I have banked up enough money to do it, it'll have 5 or 6,000 on it. Or more.
Actually, the upgrades I'm thinking of aren't just silly. They are needed. The riding I was doing before I bought the bike matched the components supplied. However, I've quickly moved in a new direction and I'm just beating the hell out of this bike and the upgrade will provide with a happier, healthier bike. And we're talking buying each component as it goes on sale and installing when I get what I want.
What is the problem? It's the front derailleur and the shifters, for the most part. Hate the derailleur, not fond of the shifters. Both are Sora. Why do I hate the derailleur? It's . . . chunky and imprecise. It has two settings, really (and my LBS and I have tried to find any other way possible). Either I can get chain-cross down to a minimum but have issues shifting back up to my large chain ring or I can have smooth shifting and as I shift closer to the wheel my chain drags across the derailleur so much that it sounds like I've put baseball cards in my spokes. No amount of adjustment helps. It's always one or the other. I know I'm going to have some chain cross, but jeez. That much metal on metal grinding is never good for anyone. As for the shifters, the mechanism will probably break before I plan to upgrade anyway. Good idea in theory, but in practice not so much. The other pieces will just make the two I've already mentioned work all the better.
Should have gotten the upgrades when I bought the bike and saved money in the long run, but I didn't know then. Did I?
Gary,
ReplyDeleteYou've probably already read this at other sites but the way to go is Ultegra. 90% the performance of Dura Ace at 70% the price. Unless you see a driving need to have 10 speed, I would think 9 speed would be better given the fact that you're bike is set up to do some cyclocross kinds of things. Use e-bay and the discount sites and you should be able to do pretty well. If you decide to go the 105 route, at least get a Ultegra rear derailleur. The thing that' sinteresting is that your shifter can probably be the lowest end thing on your bike unless you're counting grams. I'm still riding my original Tiagra shifters that came stock with my original frame. I think I've seen 105 levers for a pretty good price at Perormance.
The Physicist
Funny, the only 105 on the list so far has been the STI shifters. The price difference I'm seeing is just huge there anyway. Either way, the problem with the Soras is in the action inside the shifter, so anything will be a HUGE impreovement. Might as well use a hammer to shift.
ReplyDeleteAs far as the derailleurs definately an Ultegra short cage on the rear and hopefully Ultegra on the front. Just gotta watch the sales.
As far as the cranks, I'm leaning toward an FSA set right now. But spring is a long way off and who knows what I'll see or change my mind about before then. That's the most exciting thing to shop for on the list anyway.