Groupset advice? For own build

[Birchy]

Hi folks.

I'm slowly gathering up components to build my own carbon bike and need advice on the following groupset.

It's the 2013 Sora 3500 set http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Shimano-S...sure_cycling_bikeparts_SR&hash=item1c2f49c810

My uses are for fitness and I aim to enter a sportive or two if fitness allows it. Is this set upto the task? I know it's the entry set and I'm fine with that because as of now I don't want to spend a small fortune. But on the other hand I need something reliable.

I would buy second hand but for around that money it's hard to find something complete and decent. Oh and it has to be black... Lol

Any advice welcome

 

[smokeysmoo]

Sora is a perfectly acceptable groupset IMO.

It offers decent quality without breaking the bank and components are cheaper to replace also.

There is an argument that the lower level components last longer as well.

Remember too that Shimano are advocates of the trickle down effect. So current Sora will be the old Tiagra, new Tiagra the old 105, and so on and so forth.

to CC as well Birchy

 

[Birchy]

Thanks Smokeysmoo,

I like the look of the new Sora because, as you say, it has the Tiagra shifters of 2012. My winter bike has the thumb clickeys of the old Sora and its a bit old hat.

I need to make a decision soon though, the itch to get cracking/building isn't going away.

 

[smokeysmoo]

I need to make a decision soon though, the itch to get cracking/building isn't going away.

It never does. In some ways I prefer building the buggers to riding 'em

Just be aware, (assumption made this is your first build), that costs can snowball very easily with a self build project. Your eye gets tempted by some piece of bling you didn't budget for, or you forgot about something you need, or you had to buy a tool/pay an LBS to do something.

I don't know your experience in bike building, but remember also that YouTube is your friend in all matters of fettling, and if you ask on here too you will get a great response from the CC peeps, and usually in crazy quick time too

 

[Birchy]

This is my first full build. I've done bits and pieces here and there but nothing like this. Hopefully I've got all the bits on order I require but no doubt something shiny will catch my eye. The good thing is that I've got a bike to ride whilst I'm building so I won't be going without.

I hope to manage most of the build myself but I fear, just so it's done right, I may be visiting my LBS to do a couple of bits. Like headset for example.

 

[smokeysmoo]

I hope to manage most of the build myself but I fear, just so it's done right, I may be visiting my LBS to do a couple of bits. Like headset for example.

Headsets are easier than they can be made out to be.

FWIW the last new frameset I bought was from Ribble, and they won't actually supply a frameset without them installing the headset, nice touch IMO.

This is worth a watch, although it's dealing with an MTB the principle is the same


View: http://youtu.be/lUy_tpAi0Xk

 

[Deleted member 20519]

I think that Shimano 105 for £405 would be the best value for money groupset but there's absolutely nothing wrong with 2013 Sora, especially since it now has gotten rid of the thumb shifters.

 

[Birchy]

Thanks for the video. After watching it and seeing the tools I require I think I might be going to the LBS. lol

The frame/forkset I'm buying does come supplied with headset so fingers crossed its been installed already. Luckily my LBS is friendly, helpful and reasonably priced so no great drama either way.

 

[Birchy]

I think that Shimano 105 for £405 would be the best value for money groupset but there's absolutely nothing wrong with 2013 Sora, especially since it now has gotten rid of the thumb shifters.

I would like a 105 set but cannot really justify spending twice the amount of the Sora at the moment. In the future, as I get more competent and also fitter ill look at something better.

 

[Deleted member 20519]

I would like a 105 set but cannot really justify spending twice the amount of the Sora at the moment. In the future, as I get more competent and also fitter ill look at something better.

Fair enough and like I said, there's absolutely nothing wrong with 9 speed Sora. I'm running 8 speed 2300 and I've had no issues with it and the shifting is just as sharp as the day I bought it and I can imagine that Sora is going to be even better.

 

[smokeysmoo]

I think that Shimano 105 for £405 would be the best value for money groupset but there's absolutely nothing wrong with 2013 Sora, especially since it now has gotten rid of the thumb shifters.

Only problem is they are out of stock, and shipping is on top as well. Merlin are also out of stock. Ribble have most of it but are out of stock on the calipers.

SHINY BIKES seems to have the 105 groupset available at a good price, and their shipping costs seem reasonable too. I've never used them though TBH.

*Of course we've just doubled the OP's budget for a groupset. I love spending other peoples money

*cross posted with Birchy's post #9

 

[Deleted member 20519]

Only problem is they are out of stock, and shipping is on top as well. Merlin are also out of stock. Ribble have most of it but are out of stock on the calipers.

SHINY BIKES seems to have the 105 groupset available at a good price, and their shipping costs seem reasonable too. I've never used them though TBH.

*Of course we've just doubled the OP's budget for a groupset. I love spending other peoples money

*cross posted with Birchy's post #9

Double it? WHY DON'T WE DUODECUPLE IT?! http://www.parker-international.co.uk/20194/Campagnolo-EPS-Super-Record-Groupset.html

 

[Birchy]

Budgets eh? I hate them. If I could I'd go for a nice Di2 setup but I fear the Mrs might be able to tell the difference between a bottom of the range set and something with a battery and stuff. Oh that and the missed mortgage payments. Lol

 

[Deleted member 20519]

In all seriousness, OP, I'd be cautious when ordering that groupset linked above. It does state it's coming from Hong Kong so that might not be an issue but it also could be fake (if such a thing exists?) If you want piece of mind you could get it from Parker http://www.parker-international.co.uk/21190/Shimano-Sora-3500-9sp-Groupset.html

 

[smokeysmoo]

Double it? WHY DON'T WE DUODECUPLE IT?! http://www.parker-international.co.uk/20194/Campagnolo-EPS-Super-Record-Groupset.html

I'd have had that if it had been Shimano, Di2 is just too cheap for me