What components is it worth spending extra money on

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CaadX

Well-Known Member
Never said Dura ace was anything.
I would suggest that the OP go for 105/ultegra over sora/tiagra if they can afford it.
Can you explain the reasoning behind that. I assume you mean 105 10 or 11 speed and sora 9 speed ?
 

winjim

Straddle the line, discord and rhyme
Never said Dura ace was anything.
I would suggest that the OP go for 105/ultegra over sora/tiagra if they can afford it.
The question was "what constitutes a good drive train?" So what does, in your opinion, and what makes 105 / Ultegra so suitable for the OP's needs?
 

ayceejay

Guru
Location
Rural Quebec
Phil, the bike you have (429 at Halfords) is an entry level model, as they say. I wouldn't spend any more money on it personally but rather wait and buy something better later. If you look at the Halfords site you will see Boardman models costing twice as much but probably twice as good too.By this I mean that, what people are calling the 'drive train' is sturdier for starters but you get what you pay for. Certainly you could spend another 2 - 3 hundred pounds on the bike you have and still be dissatisfied.
 

CaadX

Well-Known Member
Phil, the bike you have (429 at Halfords) is an entry level model, as they say. I wouldn't spend any more money on it personally but rather wait and buy something better later. If you look at the Halfords site you will see Boardman models costing twice as much but probably twice as good too.By this I mean that, what people are calling the 'drive train' is sturdier for starters but you get what you pay for. Certainly you could spend another 2 - 3 hundred pounds on the bike you have and still be dissatisfied.
I beg to differ you do not get what you pay for, you get what you think you are paying for ! Sturdy ? Then you should be on a fixed or single speed. Since when has 10 and 11 speed been more sturdy than 9 speed ? Just asking.
 

ayceejay

Guru
Location
Rural Quebec
I beg to differ you do not get what you pay for, you get what you think you are paying for ! Sturdy ? Then you should be on a fixed or single speed. Since when has 10 and 11 speed been more sturdy than 9 speed ? Just asking.

Well, for me this forum is a means to give and receive suggestions that may be helpful. in other words it is a social forum and not one of life and death situations. On the other hand your aggression is a turn off so this is me....turning off.
 

CaadX

Well-Known Member
Well, for me this forum is a means to give and receive suggestions that may be helpful. in other words it is a social forum and not one of life and death situations. On the other hand your aggression is a turn off so this is me....turning off.
Difference of opinion is aggression ?
 

CaadX

Well-Known Member
I find it rather disconcerting people are advising to throw loads of money at expensive drivetrains without offering any reasoning behind the advice.
 

mjr

Comfy armchair to one person & a plank to the next
Well, for me this forum is a means to give and receive suggestions that may be helpful. in other words it is a social forum and not one of life and death situations. On the other hand your aggression is a turn off so this is me....turning off.
I think you've underspent on that flounce! Could you spend a bit more and demonstrate how it's sturdier with less material in it? ;)
 

winjim

Straddle the line, discord and rhyme
I find it rather disconcerting people are advising to throw loads of money at expensive drivetrains without offering any reasoning behind the advice.
I'm waiting for someone to suggest he puts Zondas on it :rolleyes:.
 

PaulSecteur

No longer a Specialized fanboy
Good quality gear cables.

I have had bikes with Ultegra down to Sora. Both work well, but the higher up the range you go the slicker the movement. That said, I would take sora with fresh SP41 outers and the dura-ace Teflon inners over an Ultegra system with rusty, sticky cables. As soon as any bike starts doing the "Change up OK, but not down. Or has to have a double prod to change up" I change the cables, set it up, adjust it again in a few week then forget about it.

Quality cables make gear changes loverly and snickerty.
 

steveindenmark

Legendary Member
A set of those little flat pliers that make quick release links in a chain actually release quickly. They are worth spending money on.

Self adhesive tyre patches.

Ortleib pannier bags.

Anything Shimano 105 or over.....its my only claim to biking snobbishness.

A charge Spoon saddle

A Brooks saddle. If you cant use it they look great on the ceiling of your man Cave.
 
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