Shimano 105 old and new...would I know the difference?

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I am after a new road bike for Sportive/Charity rides in 2011. I have scoured the 'net and these forums for advice but just one thing niggles. There is a new (5700) Shimano 105 groupset on the market. Should I go for a bike fitted with this or maybe save a shedload of cash and get a 2010 bike with the old 5600 groupset? It would only be fair to admit that I only have knowledge of gears on MTBs. Is there a big enough difference in the new 105 to make me plump for that, or should I save £200 and get a 'so' last year bike.

Bill
 
I am after a new road bike for Sportive/Charity rides in 2011. I have scoured the 'net and these forums for advice but just one thing niggles. There is a new (5700) Shimano 105 groupset on the market. Should I go for a bike fitted with this or maybe save a shedload of cash and get a 2010 bike with the old 5600 groupset? It would only be fair to admit that I only have knowledge of gears on MTBs. Is there a big enough difference in the new 105 to make me plump for that, or should I save £200 and get a 'so' last year bike.

Bill

Save your cash and get the old bike at a lower cost. My vintage Holdsworth was upgraded with the old 105 components (Chain Reaction had them at a bargain price) and it has proved to be very reliable with no problems.

The new version may well be better when analyzed by the reviewers, but in the real world you probably will not notice the difference (apart from in your pocket!)
 

amnesia

Free-wheeling into oblivion...
I don't know if it's any better, but it looks good
biggrin.gif


http://www.bikeradar.com/news/article/first-look-new-shimano-105-road-groupset-review-24923

http://www.bikeradar.com/road/gear/category/components/groupset/road/product/105-groupset-11-39613
 

eldudino

Bike Fluffer
Location
Stirling
The new version looks better due to the cables all being internally routed rather than sticking out at right-angles from the top of the hoods, which IMO, looks untidy. I've got Tiagra with the same routing and it annoys me as my summer bike has Sram which is all internally routed. I think you'd notice an ever so slight difference if riding them back to back, but nothing really quantifiable. I'd go for the old if money was tight, but the new if you can afford it. :smile:
 

downfader

extimus uero philosophus
Location
'ampsheeeer
I have the new double on the Kinesis custom build.Really nice, levers are great too. Its pretty close to Ultegra for quality and feel. Though if you can get a good price on the old theres no reason not to get it, its still one of the best gearsets.
 
OP
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TheBoyBilly

TheBoyBilly

New Member
Thanks for the helpful replies. I am considering the following bikes:

2010 Secteur Elite £799 (old 105)
2011 Secteur Elite £999 (Sram Apex)
2011 C'dale Synapse 105 Alu £999 (new 105)

... or maybe push the boat out a bit further on.....

2011 Giant TCR 1 Compact £1175 (new 105)
or a 2011 Basso Reef (as I loved the look of the 2010 bike)

I am leaning towards the older Secteur Elite as it has good reviews and will stand me in good stead while I make my mind up whether I can justify a really top bike in maybe a couple of years. I'd also get to be a member of the Secteur Owners Club on these forums :thumbsup: It also seems to be a decent enough bike for a future upgrade anyway.

Thanks again, I think I've nailed it.

Bill
 

PaulSecteur

No longer a Specialized fanboy
Well, I dont have anything except my Kraken to compare it to but Im 100% happy with my 2010 Secteur elite. It hasnt missed a beat and the 105 has performed faultlessly so far, which in fairness is ony 50 miles! (2 x 15 milers, and a 10 miler)

It seem comfy enough. I have just moved the saddle forward a bit so my sit bones are on the softest area of the saddle so it should be even comfy-er next time out when the snow has melted.

Santa has got me a topak rack for it, and next year Im looking forward to doing plenty of day out rides on it, it realy does have a feeling of quality about it.
 

ianrauk

Tattooed Beat Messiah
Location
Rides Ti2
re Secteur elite 2010.
It's not full 105. The brakes are Tektro and the crank set & BB are FCR-553.

Nice bike though. I use my Elite for my daily commute.
Had now for over a year and is pretty rock solid.
 
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TheBoyBilly

TheBoyBilly

New Member
I have Tektro fitted on my Langster and find them good enough for me in that they are pretty idiot proof for adjusting/fettling. I don't really understand what's good and what's bad with BBs etc but I'm pretty sure Spesh wouldn't fit rubbish and still sell shedloads of Secteurs. The thing with the Synapse is that it has BB30 which has it's admirers and Specialized have taken it on board in some of their models. The Synapse seems an awful lot of bike for the money.......here we go again :rolleyes:

(keep thinking -Secteur, Secteur, Secteur, lol)

Bill
 

Banjo

Fuelled with Jelly Babies
Location
South Wales
I have done over 3000 miles in 12 months on my Scott Speedster with 5600 series 105 . It has performed faultlessly so far.

With any new kit on the market the first round of customers are guinea pigs to a certain extent personally I would go for the older groupset which has proved itself and save some money as well.
 

postman

Squire
Location
,Leeds
We all know of a story of Halfords .But at the mo they are doing deals on Boardman bikes .£629.My mate got one this summer and it's brilliant .Biggest is 58cm .Or i would have had a look .
 
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