Specialized Secteur 2300 triple to compact Tiagra?

[IanG1]

I have a 2012 Specialized Secteur that is fitted with 2300 triple groupset. This seemed fine at first when I first started out but as I have got presumably fitter I seem to be always changing between front sprockets to find the ideal range of gears if that at all makes sense.
I like the rest of the bike and can’t really justify the £1K+ I would need to upgrade at the moment.
My thoughts were to maybe upgrade the groupset to say a compact Tiagra such as Tiagra Groupset
Just a few quick queries,
The bike as Shimana R500 wheels with a 8 speed cassette, I am correct in thinking this will accommodate the 10 speed that comes in the kit?
What kind of cost would I expect to pay if I asked the LBS to fit all this for me?
I would hopefully liberate a few quid back if I was to sell my existing kit (not sure what it would be worth any ideas)
Is this a worthwhile upgrade bearing in mind the costs involved, I would plan to keep this as a winter/turbo bike should I later upgrade to a new bike. (Canyon Endurace has really caught my eye LOL)
Any advice or pitfalls greatfully received
Ian

 

[the snail]

Should be fine, although your cheapest option would probably be to fit compatible chainset/bottom bracket and keep the existing cassette/shifters/derailleurs.

 

[I like Skol]

I think you will find going to a compact chainset a backward step if you are already searching between middle and large chainrings for a 'good' gear. A lot of people don't like the big step between the small and large chainrings of a compact and it does take some getting used to after riding a standard double or a triple. I ride a triple on my main commuter bike and while I may only use the small 26T chainring maybe 3 times a year (and one of those times is accidental ) I find the 36T middle ring covers most of my riding with the big 48T ring for the faster stuff when on the open roads. Contrast that with my roadbike with a compact 34/50 and the same 11-26 9spd cassette. the 34T chainring may only be 2 teeth smaller but it seems to spin out a lot sooner and then it's a big jump to the 50T so as soon as the gradients start or you get in any traffic it is straight back to the 34T. Personally I think the triple is the wise mans double with the rarely used granny ring for emergencies!

 

[IanG1]

My front is 30/42/52 and rear 12/25 and I thought that a 50/34 with 12/28 would give me a very similar spread of gears (bottom gear for climbing is very close and I would never spin out in top on a flat LOL) but across one less front shift?
I spend most of my time in the middle ring when I can and like to spin and not grind (My average cadence is always around 100rpm according to my computer) though when it gets lumpy I will drop in and out the the granny ring rather than grind hence my thoughts about the upgrade.

 

[jack smith]

Go with 105 over tiagra youll find it more than worth the 50 quid or so especially if you get the new 5800 a lbs will charge you a fair bit but in reality its not a hard task to do yourself, the wheels will fit a 10speed fine

 

[IanG1]

Thought the new 105 5800 was 11 speed? not sure my wheel would take this? hence me opting for Tiagra. (Tried to find 105 5700 10 speed but couldn't source it?)

 

[uclown2002]

105 10 Speed

 

[IanG1]

Thanks but that's a triple, all the doubles are out of stock

 

[uclown2002]

Thanks but that's a triple, all the doubles are out of stock

http://www.ribblecycles.co.uk/gsd/r...part=GSSHIM105S570010D&sub=conf_GS_SHR&bike=1

 

[smokeysmoo]

If you decide you want a standard double then RIBBLE allow you to customise your groupset, just choose a 39/53 chainset.

As for resale of your 2300, @Adam4868 has just agreed a sale on a basically brand new Sora triple groupset for £100, see HERE, so don't expect too much.

You might get more if you part it out than sell it as a whole though.

 

[IanG1]

Ummm beginning to think this may not be worth while after all. Spending £225 on a Tiagra or £300 on 105 plus the cost of fitting to a bike that cost me £650 2 years ago. Might just leave the money in the pot and upgrade to a new bike next spring instead. The Canyon Endurace or the Ribble Gran Fondo have caught my eye recently.........
Thanks for all the replies

Ian

 

[boydj]

I'm surprised you find yourself constantly changing chainrings. On my triple I tend to live in the middle ring, covering anything from 10 to 25 mph. I only stay in the big ring if I know I can sustain ~20 mph or more for a decent length of time.