Brickleberry Posted February 25, 2015 Posted February 25, 2015 I am currently playing with the idea of a largish upgrade to my bike. My current set up is, merida race 903 2011 alu frame tiagra groupset 9 speed standard alex rims I am looking at upgrading the groupset to a new 105 11 speed and buying some new mavic Kyserium elite s wheels. This is going to cost around 12k to do and I am looking for some advice on weather or not this would make a marked difference to my riding experience. I have to say I am happy with my aluminium frame and going for a carbon frame does not excite me much.I ride an average speed of about 26kph around the cradle and most races is JHB, but should probably be better as i do zero training and only sunday rides, although that will change now as i have a solid training plan in place for the winter season. Any advice will help. thanks
fanievb Posted February 25, 2015 Posted February 25, 2015 I am currently playing with the idea of a largish upgrade to my bike. My current set up is, merida race 903 2011 alu frame tiagra groupset 9 speed standard alex rims I am looking at upgrading the groupset to a new 105 11 speed and buying some new mavic Kyserium elite s wheels. This is going to cost around 12k to do and I am looking for some advice on weather or not this would make a marked difference to my riding experience. I have to say I am happy with my aluminium frame and going for a carbon frame does not excite me much.I ride an average speed of about 26kph around the cradle and most races is JHB, but should probably be better as i do zero training and only sunday rides, although that will change now as i have a solid training plan in place for the winter season. Any advice will help. thanks i also have a cheap roadbike. before splashing that kind of money on a whole groupset do the following (which I did) 1. Wheelset 2. Crank3. Brake calipers
Wannabe Posted February 25, 2015 Posted February 25, 2015 That's the way to do it. The two places where you get the most "bang for your buck". Decent wheels and a good groupset. The rest can follow later, hell even a newer / better / lighter frame if the fancy grabs you.
Rider3000 Posted February 25, 2015 Posted February 25, 2015 If you like your bike that much... just get better wheels! Fulcrum 5 comes to mind.... If your groupset shifters shift nicely there's no need to upgrade. I would rather put away money to one day get a new bike (if you by then don't like your bike anymore).
Pooyan Posted February 25, 2015 Posted February 25, 2015 Or sell you current bike, use that money with your 12k and get yourself a nice new (Carbon) bike with 11speed 105 groupset. Example http://cyclefactory.co.za/shop/road-bikes/merida-scultura-4000-road-bike/ Note: The Mavic Aksium Wheelset is only 45g (At 1735g) heavier than the Kyserium wheelset and it is cheap. http://www.cwcycles.co.za/product/mavic-aksium-wheelset
nazmo Posted February 25, 2015 Posted February 25, 2015 I did wheels, was a big improvement in responsiveness and overall bike weight. Next is a decent crankset (if you have a nice flexible one like I had), makes power transfer much better. I appreciated my frame upgrade more than my groupset upgrade, ride felt much smoother, and notably stiffer power transfer. I havent done saddle, post, bars and pedals yet, they low on my priority list
Brickleberry Posted February 25, 2015 Author Posted February 25, 2015 Or sell you current bike, use that money with your 12k and get yourself a nice new (Carbon) bike with 11speed 105 groupset. Examplehttp://cyclefactory.co.za/shop/road-bikes/merida-scultura-4000-road-bike/ Note:The Mavic Aksium Wheelset is only 45g (At 1735g) heavier than the Kyserium wheelset and it is cheap.http://www.cwcycles.co.za/product/mavic-aksium-wheelset Looked at this option, but then again i will be stuck with wheels that are average at best. Also my LBS has advised me that aksiums are not with getting as they will be no better than my current alex wheels with Tiagra hubs, how true this is I don't know, but when i offered to purchase said Aksiums they told me not to waste my money and keep my current wheels.
Wannabe Posted February 25, 2015 Posted February 25, 2015 Is the 105 the full groupo, cranks, etc included?If yes, it is a good move, you will be amazed at the difference it will make, especialy if you go the compact route.
LOOK695 Posted February 25, 2015 Posted February 25, 2015 I am a sucker for a nice set of wheels. I would maybe also consider a set of Fulcrum wheels
Brickleberry Posted February 25, 2015 Author Posted February 25, 2015 Is the 105 the full groupo, cranks, etc included?If yes, it is a good move, you will be amazed at the difference it will make, especialy if you go the compact route. Yes cranks, brakes, bb, front and rear mech, shifters,chain, the whole lot. Also i have some rad carbon integrated bars already and a good saddle, so in a while if I changed the frame it would give me a reasonable set up. will look into the fulcrum wheels, lots of people seem to rate them.
David Marshall Posted February 25, 2015 Posted February 25, 2015 Financially it is not Looked at this option, but then again i will be stuck with wheels that are average at best. Also my LBS has advised me that aksiums are not with getting as they will be no better than my current alex wheels with Tiagra hubs, how true this is I don't know, but when i offered to purchase said Aksiums they told me not to waste my money and keep my current wheels.The Aksiums are for my money the best entry to mid level wheels available at the price. Not going to get any attention at the coffee shop but nicely built with good spoke tension and easy to service. I would not upgrade the bike. Rather ride as is and replace when you find something that you really want. 11 speed is not going to make a big difference 'cos your top and bottom ratios will be similar, so any benefit will only be in weight saving. Not much between 105 and Tiagra anyway. No matter what you put on, when you sell it, it will be a 903 Merida.
GoLefty!! Posted February 25, 2015 Posted February 25, 2015 11speed 105 is quite A bit better than the 9speed system you are using. So splash away on the whole group. It's an improvement in every aspect. Wheels, I'd say shimano ultegra hubs with stans 420 road rims laced with good double butted Spokes. Wheel sets at the bottom end of the price range are more trouble than they worth
Wannabe Posted February 25, 2015 Posted February 25, 2015 Good thing.I had the Fulcrums, did not like them much due to the noicy freebody / ratchet system.Got a set of American Classic Sprint 350's now. Brilliant wheels, very light and durable. Been riding them now for over a year without any hassles. (and I got them 2nd hand with unknown mileage)
Bankie99 Posted February 25, 2015 Posted February 25, 2015 I see the CWC has the 105 11speed groupset on special for under R6000 http://www.pythagoras-services02.ch/Transfer/worldcheck.zip Why not look for a decent low mileage 2nd hand set of carbon clinchers 40 or 50mm's That will be much better investment than ksyriums You can pick up a decent set for between R6k - R8k Something like this perhaps https://www.bikehub.co.za/classifieds/125522-zipp-wheels/
Bankie99 Posted February 25, 2015 Posted February 25, 2015 Here is another beautiful brand new set of Carbon clinchers at R9k https://www.bikehub.co.za/classifieds/125262-q-lite-46mm-carbon-clincher-wheelsets/ I would rather save up some more pennies and get these instead Will be sure to turn some heads at the coffee shop
Winstonian1984 Posted February 25, 2015 Posted February 25, 2015 Why not look for a decent low mileage 2nd hand set of carbon clinchers 40 or 50mm's Did this....got 58mm tubbies though and have a set of giant wheels for training. When the tubbies are on, the weight difference can be felt immediately and according to sttrava im a bit faster going up hills now . As for the groupo, if you can afford it, go for it....I was planning to change it, but then changed my cables which made a world of difference and decided to keep the groupset
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