Then, as mentioned, when things start to wear out, replace them with 105. I'd agree this is probably the sweet spot. Otherwise, if it ain't broke...I have a trek al2 domane, and I absolutely love itI tried someone's specialised bike before and I preferred my trek. Why did you dislike your trek bike? I've done 1000s of km on it and still love the bike to bits.
What is a sign that it's time to replace the gear set? How much does it cost to swap out the claris to the 105, and where do I get that done?Then, as mentioned, when things start to wear out, replace them with 105. I'd agree this is probably the sweet spot. Otherwise, if it ain't broke...
I am still unsure how to increase my speed. I have increased distances I can cycle- I can do long distances comfortably without getting tired but haven't improved my speed...
Endurance is there but not speed.
Probably doing some higher intensity bursts. Find a quiet road, maybe with a slight incline and ride as fast as you can for a few minutes then ease off and get your breath back and then repeat a few more times.I am still unsure how to increase my speed. I have increased distances I can cycle- I can do long distances comfortably without getting tired but haven't improved my speed...
So just go up and down the same road 4 times? And how long does this road have to be. It is at least 12km for me to get out the city to quiet country lanes.
When the shifters fail or you have the money burning a hole in your pocket but you don’t have enough for a new bike 👍
Agree. I specced 105 onto one bike and the other has Ultegra cos it came with that. They're the same. When the Ultegra is worn out I'll replace it with 105 as it's much cheaper. Getting fitter is where it's at, not shaving 100g off a groupset
As many have said a change in groupset wont make any difference apart from your bank balance, theres lots of cyclists spending big money to buy speed in the vain hope of becoming faster cyclists by spending money. Best way to get faster on a bike is to start with a bike that fits you, second get it set up right for yourself and then start a training plan.I am still unsure how to increase my speed. I have increased distances I can cycle- I can do long distances comfortably without getting tired but haven't improved my speed...
To go appreciably faster you need to either increase the number of watts you can consistently output (that's the fitness bit) and/or improve your riding position to make yourself a bit more aerodynamic. Assuming you can't do much about your position on the bike then it's down to fitness. Long, endurance rides can only do so much. You reach a level and that's it. To get fitter you need to do higher intensity efforts. The most efficient way to do this is hill repetitions where you find a hill that takes maybe 5 minutes to ride up and you go for it, max effort. Do this as many times as you can. But this is boring and not much fun. Nicer is to find some loop that takes maybe an hour or so. Go as fast as you can the whole loop. Keep trying to improve the time it takes you to do the loop as a challenge to yourself. This works
As Mo says, interval training to increase your power and speed.
This is what I have done with my commute bike. Recently changed the rear derailleur and crankset from Ultegra back to 105.
