New Groupset for my 2011 Spez Secteur Elite

[Dzzi]

Morning,

Just need some advice/comment on a groupset change/upgrade for the above bike.
Currently i have SRAM Apex doubletap 10 speed 11-32 and 50/34 and the cranks are 175 (which i didnt know till i just looked!) not sure it really matters but the frame is a 58 and im 6'.
Stock Image of bike below, ive changed the wheels to Fulcrum 7's

So im thinking about Shimano 105 which seems to be around the £300 mark at the moment and i don't really want to spend more than that.

As with everything cycling the choice seems huge so here are my questions
1) Which of these size/ratio options? Now intuitively i would buy the same crank length but again would be interested in any comments on this? More importantly what combo of Front and Rear Ratios.. i live in essex

50/34, 170mm, 11/32
52/36, 170mm, 11/32
52/36, 170mm, 11/28

52/36, 172.5mm, 11/32
50/34, 172.5mm, 11/28
50/34, 172.5mm, 11/28

52/36, 175mm, 11/32
50/34, 175mm, 11/28
52/36, 175mm, 11/28

2) Black or Silver - I think i prefer black but as you can see there is a mix on the bike now and it looks ok, but i think i prefer the black shifters, probably a personal thing but i'd be interested in the hive mind view. (not all the size colour combinations are in stock at a well known bike retailer offering 105 at below £300.

3) Should i consider something else :-)

Thanks

Dave

175mm cranks

 

[vickster]

Why are you looking to upgrade?

 

[Dzzi]

Well... a couple of reasons... the left shifter isn't really working properly after a small off about 18 months back, now i live in essex so i really don't need to move into the smaller front ring that often but it would be nice to have the option (i can persuade it but it needs notice), and the issue is now effecting the rear break effectiveness but again who wants to use the breaks the whole setup has done about 10,000k's i don't commute but i've ridden most weekends through the winter for the last 2 years and its starting to get a little tired, rear dérailleur had a little "moment" this week which the LBS have sorted out for me with some careful fettling.

So my feeling is could spend some money on a new shifter (SRAM ones seem to be made of gold or something really expensive?!?) at some point soon im going to need a new rear derailleur, new shifter, new cables and i suspect the big ring is due a change as im on my 2nd Cassette and BB.

My Dad got me this bike and i think the upgrade would breath some new life into her and i won't feel so bad when she is demoted to my winter bike when my request to buy n+1 finally gets approval from the head of the household.

 

[vickster]

If you are happy with the gearing, just keep the same? Ditto cranks assuming you are happy with the bike set up

You should be able to get SRAM rival 22 for similar money if you shop around

 

[Yellow Saddle]

It sounds to me that you just need to do a bit of training and actually go for a ride instead of following the upgrade sheep and N+1 lemmings.

 

[Citius]

Verily I say, YS speaketh the truth.

(brakes, by the way - not breaks)

 

[Dzzi]

@vickster thanks seems sensible i'll see what I can find SRAM wise

@Yellow Saddle cheers that's a helpful response

@Citius thanks for pointing that out my proof reading not what it once was, btw pretty sure your reply has a superfluous and possibly erroneous hyphen or is it a dash hard to be sure

 

[the snail]

I'd think carefully about what the current setup really needs maintenance wise - groupset change won't transform the bike, you'll still be riding a pretty uninspiring frameset. Might be better value to put the money towards a better bike with 105/ultegra etc.

 

[Citius]

@Citius thanks for pointing that out my proof reading not what it once was

It's spelling mate, not proof reading. Unless someone else is writing your content.

 

[outlash]

I think a set of new cables would breathe the new life into her you're looking for.

 

[Dzzi]

I'd think carefully about what the current setup really needs maintenance wise - groupset change won't transform the bike, you'll still be riding a pretty uninspiring frameset. Might be better value to put the

It's spelling mate, not proof reading. Unless someone else is writing your content.

not anymore they're not....

 

[Dzzi]

I'd think carefully about what the current setup really needs maintenance wise - groupset change won't transform the bike, you'll still be riding a pretty uninspiring frameset. Might be better value to put the money towards a better bike with 105/ultegra etc.

Yes agree with you and I've spent a lot of time thinking about exactly those pros and cons. Other factors include my probably irrational emotional attachment to bike as a whole! New cables new left shifter poss new rear derailleur would be cheaper and that would free up more cash for my crazy notion of owning 2 bikes... I'm a terrible procrastinator or maybe I'm a good one

 

[vickster]

Why's it crazy to own two bikes? I have 4