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Upgrade Advice

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  • October 4, 2016 at 3:34 pm #26341
    ClubSmed

    Hi All!

    First here is the backgound info:
    I am about to embark on an upgrade session on one of my bikes (Carrera TDF).
    The changes I am making are:

    Wheels (Stock wheels to Mavic Ksyrium Elite S 2013)
    Tyres (Kenda Koncept 23c to Continental Grand Prix 4 Season 25c)
    Groupset (Shimano Tourney/ Tektro/ Prowheel  to Shimano 5800 105)
    Bar Tape (Stock Cork bar tape to Fi’zi:k Performance Classic)

    The reasoning behind the above upgrades is that I want to go on longer cycles with my other half and I believe the above upgrades will help keep her on that bike for longer.

    I know I may be better off just buying a new bike but I can do the above upgrades and get a pretty decent bike at the end of it for around £730 (including the original cost of the bike). I am pretty sure I would not be able to get a similar spec bike for that much and I am going to have a LOT of fun doing the upgrades! The bike as it currently stands is a pretty perfect fit too and she loves the look of it (her cycling gear co-ordinates with it too).

    So here are my questions:

    How long approximately will it take me to strip the old groupset off the bike and intall the new one? I will be using the workshop at my LBS so will have access to all the tools, manuals and expertise I need but want to know how much time to set asside for this project.
    Are there any upgrades I have missed that would make a massive difference (seat is already upgraded and perfect), or any I am planning that are completely pointless?

     

    Thanks in advance for any and all help

     

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Viewing 15 replies - 31 through 45 (of 49 total)
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  • October 5, 2016 at 11:27 am #879143
    0
    ClubSmed
    Anthony.C wrote:
    You have clearly made your mind up anyway although the general consensus seems to be that there is little point in putting lipstick on a pig. I would urge you to reconsider and start with a decent frame, that is more likely to get her out on the bike.

    I have not made up my mind totally yet.

    I have heard a lot of people explain that it is not worth upgrading this frame but no-one has explained why. I suppose what I really need is someone to explain to me why this 6061-T6 frame is not as good as the Triban 6061-T6 that has been suggested several times as the alternative.

    Also I do intend to eventually upgrade the frame but that is going to be a big job involving getting a custom Ti frame as I understand the improvements of a Ti frame over 6061-T6.

    October 5, 2016 at 11:20 am #879141
    0
    ClubSmed
    jollygoodvelo wrote:
    I’ve just done a big upgrade project on my CX – new TRP Spyre brakes, new brake and gear cables and housings, new BB, Tiagra cranks, new chain, new bar tape.  Cost about £220ish.  That’s worthwhile on a bike that was £900 new (though I paid a lot less due to discounts).  Spending £400 on a £300 bike is lunacy.

     

    I know not everyone is made of money but please look at the Decathlon range.  Either the Ultra 700AF at £750 or the Triban 540 at £650 are much better value in the long run. http://www.decathlon.co.uk/triban-540-road-bike-105-id_8350480.html

     

    I was under the impression that sub £1k bikes all have pretty much the same quality of frame? Of course in this assumption I am comparing apples with apples (6061-T6 with 6061-T6) and ignoring the geometry differences as it isn’t wrong currently.

    Also all these upgrades should be transferable when I upgrade to a Ti frame further down the line as planned?

    I’ve done a side by side with the bike you suggested and I do not seem to be getting more bang for my buck. I have included an image of my workings out so I can be corrected if I am going wrong (which I probably am and need guidance)

    October 5, 2016 at 11:17 am #879139
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    tritecommentbot

    Nah, I’d get a decent sale

    Nah, I’d get a decent sale bike on Cycle to Work. Lot of hassle for nothing. I’ve done the whole upgrade the pants bike for the missus thing. Ended up doing everything I could. Ended up selling it 4 months later. Waste of time. Got her a properly lush bike and now she loves cycling. Last weekend she was actually excited on Friday night about getting up early to go ride the next morning. First time. Not all about the bike, but quite a bit about the bike. 

    October 5, 2016 at 11:07 am #879137
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    Anthony.C

    You have clearly made your

    You have clearly made your mind up anyway although the general consensus seems to be that there is little point in putting lipstick on a pig. I would urge you to reconsider and start with a decent frame, that is more likely to get her out on the bike.

    October 5, 2016 at 10:24 am #879135
    0
    rjfrussell

    “seat is already upgraded and

    “seat is already upgraded and perfect”

    I haven’t found “YAFEE YF Comfort Sports Saddle” online but such Yafee saddles as I can find seem to cost about US$10 and look very soft.

    They look like the sort of thing that might be ok for 5-10 miles, but not much more than that.  An area to look at?

    Also, what about SPDs and a pair of shoes? 

    Can’t help thinking that a properly fitting new bike from Decathlon may be the better option.

    October 5, 2016 at 10:10 am #879133
    0
    Anonymous

    I’ve just done a big upgrade

    I’ve just done a big upgrade project on my CX – new TRP Spyre brakes, new brake and gear cables and housings, new BB, Tiagra cranks, new chain, new bar tape.  Cost about £220ish.  That’s worthwhile on a bike that was £900 new (though I paid a lot less due to discounts).  Spending £400 on a £300 bike is lunacy.

     

    I know not everyone is made of money but please look at the Decathlon range.  Either the Ultra 700AF at £750 or the Triban 540 at £650 are much better value in the long run. http://www.decathlon.co.uk/triban-540-road-bike-105-id_8350480.html

    October 5, 2016 at 8:26 am #879131
    0
    ClubSmed

    Also thank you for all your

    Also thank you for all your responses so far, they have been very useful. I will definately use the weekend “fix your own” service at my LBS as the evening one only runs 4 hours and looks like I may struggle with that

    October 5, 2016 at 8:25 am #879129
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    ClubSmed

    This will be the spec sheet

    This will be the spec sheet of it when it is completed

     

    October 5, 2016 at 8:23 am #879127
    0
    ClubSmed

    Let me clarify a few things.

    Let me clarify a few things.

    £730 is not the total cost to me it is the total retail cost to me. I already have some of the items so they could be considered a zero cost and other items I can get on the Cycle to Work scheme so save 42% on them. The cost breaks down as per attached image

    I considered upgrading my bike and passing down the 105 groupset but I can’t justify the move to Ultegra as the jump does not seem that great and Dura Ace is out of my price range. I am spending a fair chunk of the £1k Cycle to Work scheme money on new wheels and cassette for my bike, I’m only spending £390 of it upgrading the carrera.

    I will eventually be upgrading the frames on both bikes to a custom titanium but I can’t afford that right now so it is a couple of years down the line.

    October 5, 2016 at 6:30 am #879125
    0
    bigshape

    if she’s only 1.5 cm shorter
    if she’s only 1.5 cm shorter than you, buy yourself a new bike and give her your old one 😉

    October 5, 2016 at 6:07 am #879123
    0
    ClubSmed

    dottigirl wrote:

    dottigirl wrote:
    Btw, you mention that it’s a good fit? I’m willing to bet that it’ll turn out to be too big, and this a pointless exercise. If you’re serious about her getting the miles in, you’ll also need to change the bars. Probably shorten the stem. Then the steering will be shit. So you put the seat forward too, which depowers her pedalling…
    Why do you assume this? She is all of 1.5cm shorter than I am and with a swimmers back so only the same difference in width of shoulders. The slight difference in leg length can be compensated slightly through crank length I think. Or am I completely misunderstanding something?

    But if you still want to bet I will take your money

    October 5, 2016 at 4:20 am #879121
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    dottigirl

    Btw, you mention that it’s a
    Btw, you mention that it’s a good fit?
    I’m willing to bet that it’ll turn out to be too big, and this a pointless exercise.
    If you’re serious about her getting the miles in, you’ll also need to change the bars. Probably shorten the stem. Then the steering will be shit. So you put the seat forward too, which depowers her pedalling…

    October 4, 2016 at 10:57 pm #879119
    0
    Langsam

    This is an utterly pointless

    This is an utterly pointless exercise. I loves me a cheap bike but there is ZERO point in throwing that kind of upgrade cash at a Carrera TdF.

    Find a ready made bike with 105 in the same colours.

    October 4, 2016 at 10:09 pm #879117
    0
    Morat

    Why don’t you buy her a new

    Why don’t you buy her a new bike? Everyone loves riding a shiny new bike!

    Problem solved 🙂

    October 4, 2016 at 9:48 pm #879115
    0
    Anthony.C

    I wouldn’t bother, sell it

    I wouldn’t bother, sell it and start gain, it’s the frame that makes the bike and you will be stuck with that. You could definitely get a much better bike for the money. 

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