Shimano upgrade question

kj said:

I bought my first road bike two summers ago, a GT 5.0 with Shimano Sora components. I have
approximately 2000 miles on it. I did a few centuries this summer and plan on doing more next
season, possibly even a double-century. I'm contemplating upgrading some parts this winter and was
wondering what the general consensus was on a few questions:

- Generally, how many miles should the Sora components last? I ride in pretty hilly areas and try
to keep the chain and gears clean and lubed.

There are no hard and fast rules regarding component longevity, but at 2000 miles your Sora
components should be FAR from expiring. I have a mix of Shimano components on five of my bikes and
other than chains I've yet to have anything "wear out". Just yesterday I rode my 1989 (or so) Trek
1400 with a mix of 105, Ultegra, and Dura Ace components, all more than ten years old and with many
thousands of miles.

Quoted message said:

- Is there a big performance jump from an 8-speed Sora to say the 9-speed Ultegra group?

Big performance jumps can only be achieved by big jumps in power plant output. Any improvements
attributable to a conversion from Sora to Ultegra would be unnoticeable.

Quoted message said:

- Would simply getting a new chain make a noticeable difference? I was thinking of switching to a
SRAM chain with Powerlink for easier cleaning, especially in the spring when there's a lot of
sand on the roads.

The only noticeable difference would be if your chain is currently skipping. A new chain might solve
this problem, but then if your cogs are badly worn it might just make things worse. You would be
unable to perceive any performance improvement. If your chain isn't worn (see the FAQ for more info)
replacing a link with a Forster (nee Craig) Super Link or a SRAM Powerlink would accomplish the same
thing for a lot less money.

Quoted message said:

Thanks for any and all opinions.

Okay, here's another. Upgrading components on a bike just isn't cost effective. If you want your
bike to have Ultegra components it's usually cheaper to buy a new Ultegra equipped bike than replace
the components on your current bike. Added benefit, you'll then have a spare "beater" bike to ride
when conditions aren't ideal (like early in the season when there's a lot of sand on the roads). :-)

jeverett3<AT>earthlink<DOT>net home.earthlink.net~jeverett3Open ↗

A new SRAM chain can be as low as $20, at my local REI store. That's pretty cheap. If your current
chain is stretched, or is the original 2-year old chain, by all means replace it. But if your
current chain is OK, you're not going to see any improvement in performance. Look at the teeth on
the rear cogs and on the crankset for scalloping. If you see it, then you should replace those parts
for sure. Excessive tooth wear can cause chain skip with a new chain. It's a good excuse to upgrade.
I'll go out on a limb and say that if the Sora components are still in good condition, the
improvement with Ultegra components will likely be minimal, though shifting may seem better. You're
not likely to go any faster, though like driving a sports car, it may be more fun. Why not consider
105 components? They are cheaper than Ultegra and there's not any performance difference between 105
and Ultegra.

r.b.

kj <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:<[email hidden]>...

Quoted message said:

I bought my first road bike two summers ago, a GT 5.0 with Shimano Sora components. I have
approximately 2000 miles on it. I did a few centuries this summer and plan on doing more next
season, possibly even a double-century. I'm contemplating upgrading some parts this winter and was
wondering what the general consensus was on a few questions:

- Generally, how many miles should the Sora components last? I ride in pretty hilly areas and try
to keep the chain and gears clean and lubed.

- Is there a big performance jump from an 8-speed Sora to say the 9-speed Ultegra group?

- Would simply getting a new chain make a noticeable difference? I was thinking of switching to a
SRAM chain with Powerlink for easier cleaning, especially in the spring when there's a lot of
sand on the roads.

Thanks for any and all opinions.

KJ

kj said:

I bought my first road bike two summers ago, a GT 5.0 with Shimano Sora components. I have
approximately 2000 miles on it.

Quoted message said:

- Is there a big performance jump from an 8-speed Sora to say the 9-speed Ultegra group?

Quoted message said:

- Would simply getting a new chain make a noticeable difference?

Upgrading won't make a big difference. Your Sora components have a LOT of life left in them.

At 2000 miles, your chain is probably due for replacement. You won't notice much improvement with a
new chain, but if you don't replace it, you risk wearing out your cassette. Put on an SRAM if you
like, or else the cheapest 8-sp chain from Shimano.

Art Harris

"Harris" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

kj said:

I bought my first road bike two summers ago, a GT 5.0 with Shimano Sora components. I have
approximately 2000 miles on it.

Quoted message said:

- Is there a big performance jump from an 8-speed Sora to say the 9-speed Ultegra group?

Quoted message said:

- Would simply getting a new chain make a noticeable difference?

Upgrading won't make a big difference. Your Sora components have a LOT of life left in them.

This is a good point. Alot of people look *down* on shimano's lower end stuff. Hey, I did too.
However, I've recently been riding a beater mt bike that has Shimano Exage 7 speed and fine it to
perform just fine. Shifting is smooth and crisp, braking is firm and stops you, and once I replaced
all the ball bearings with grade 25 ones and repacked them in grease, the hubs spin smooth and are
very quiet. *Upgrading* to ultegra or dura ace may "lighten" your bike, and pocket, but it won't
make a BIG difference.

Quoted message said:

At 2000 miles, your chain is probably due for replacement. You won't notice much improvement with
a new chain, but if you don't replace it, you risk wearing out your cassette. Put on an SRAM if
you like, or else the cheapest 8-sp chain from Shimano.

Agree, get a sram or one with one of those removable links, like sram's powerlink or IRD's
"snap-link ,well worth the extra couple of dollars....

"kj" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

I bought my first road bike two summers ago, a GT 5.0 with Shimano Sora components. I have
approximately 2000 miles on it. I did a few centuries this summer and plan on doing more next
season, possibly even a double-century. I'm contemplating upgrading some parts this winter and was
wondering what the general consensus was on a few questions:

- Generally, how many miles should the Sora components last? I ride in pretty hilly areas and try
to keep the chain and gears clean and lubed.

A pretty *general* rule of thumb: a chain should last around 3K miles, a cassette around 3 chains,
or 9K miles, and chainrings perhaps 3 cassettes, or 25 K miles.

Yje important thing with drivetrain maintenance is to clean the chain before lubing and to replace
the chain before it gets significantly worn -- see the RBT bicycle FAQ.

Quoted message said:

- Is there a big performance jump from an 8-speed Sora to say the 9-speed Ultegra group?

No, the major difference between mid-range and better groups is a little (trivial) weight
difference.

Quoted message said:

- Would simply getting a new chain make a noticeable difference? I was thinking of switching to a
SRAM chain with Powerlink for easier cleaning, especially in the spring when there's a lot of
sand on the roads.

SRAM chains are more convenient than Shimano. The important thing is to replace a chain before it
gets too worn. A new chain won't make any performance difference though.

"bfd" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

"Harris" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

kj said:

I bought my first road bike two summers ago, a GT 5.0 with Shimano

Sora

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

components. I have approximately 2000 miles on it.

Quoted message said:

- Is there a big performance jump from an 8-speed Sora to say the 9-speed Ultegra group?

Quoted message said:

- Would simply getting a new chain make a noticeable difference?

Upgrading won't make a big difference. Your Sora components have a LOT

of

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

life left in them.

This is a good point. Alot of people look *down* on shimano's lower end stuff. Hey, I did too.
However, I've recently been riding a beater mt bike that has Shimano Exage 7 speed and fine it to
perform just fine. Shifting

is

Quoted message said:

smooth and crisp, braking is firm and stops you, and once I replaced all

the

Quoted message said:

ball bearings with grade 25 ones and repacked them in grease, the hubs

spin

Quoted message said:

smooth and are very quiet. *Upgrading* to ultegra or dura ace may

"lighten"

Quoted message said:

your bike, and pocket, but it won't make a BIG difference.

Agreed on well maintained lower components, however I wore out a Sora Rear derailleur in about 3
years of commuting year round but with 3 bikes and sometimes driving. It was my main winter bike
though. I don't clean my bikes very often in the winter (ok never) and just oil dirty chains when I
can't stand the squeeking. They get covered in salt & sand and I bring them inside at home to melt.
But probably Harris doesn't treat his bikes so badly.

Doug Toronto

"Doug Purdy" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

"bfd" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

"Harris" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

kj <[email hidden]> wrote:
> I bought my first road bike two summers ago, a GT 5.0 with Shimano

Sora

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

> components. I have approximately 2000 miles on it.

> - Is there a big performance jump from an 8-speed Sora to say the 9-speed Ultegra group?

> - Would simply getting a new chain make a noticeable difference?

Upgrading won't make a big difference. Your Sora components have a LOT

of

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

life left in them.

This is a good point. Alot of people look *down* on shimano's lower end stuff. Hey, I did too.
However, I've recently been riding a beater mt

bike

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

that has Shimano Exage 7 speed and fine it to perform just fine.

Shifting

Quoted message said:

is

Quoted message said:

smooth and crisp, braking is firm and stops you, and once I replaced all

the

Quoted message said:

ball bearings with grade 25 ones and repacked them in grease, the hubs

spin

Quoted message said:

smooth and are very quiet. *Upgrading* to ultegra or dura ace may

"lighten"

Quoted message said:

your bike, and pocket, but it won't make a BIG difference.

Agreed on well maintained lower components, however I wore out a Sora Rear derailleur in about 3
years of commuting year round but with 3 bikes and sometimes driving. It was my main winter bike
though. I don't clean my

bikes

Quoted message said:

very often in the winter (ok never) and just oil dirty chains when I can't stand the squeeking.
They get covered in salt & sand and I bring them

inside

Quoted message said:

at home to melt. But probably Harris doesn't treat his bikes so badly.

With that kind of *care*, I doubt an Ultegra rear der would last much longer....

"bfd" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

With that kind of *care*, I doubt an Ultegra rear der would last much longer....

Agreed again. Though the Sora pulley was entirely plastic and should abrade faster than the
metal bearings I'm assuming Ultegra has... never checked yet, wouldn't it be funny if it's all
plastic too!

In any case, this is using the right tool for the right job. I'm commuting in winter conditions so
using Ultegra is certainly a complete waste of money.

With thousands, even millions riding on the outcome of a race, it would make sense to use the best
shifting action under load at any price or maintenance schedule.

The difference between Tiagra, 105 and Ultegra is probably mostly image for this commuter, so it
would depend on the prejudices of the relevant group of riders and what image I feel like
projecting.

Here's a practical way to reduce it. If you are slower on a less costly bike, maybe it's the bike.
If you're riding top-of-the-line, you have nowhere to hide.

Doug

In article <[email hidden]>, kj

Quoted message said:

I bought my first road bike two summers ago, a GT 5.0 with Shimano Sora components. I have
approximately 2000 miles on it. I did a few centuries this summer and plan on doing more next
season, possibly even a double-century. I'm contemplating upgrading some parts this winter and was
wondering what the general consensus was on a few questions:

- Generally, how many miles should the Sora components last? I ride in pretty hilly areas and try
to keep the chain and gears clean and lubed.

With regular maintenance, it should last you for many miles to come. The only concern with Shimano
stuff is their STI shifters malfunctioning after about 16,000 to 20,000 km or so. Not a rule of
thumb, but a gauge as some people have them working past the 20,000km mark. Recently, both my 99
pair RSX STI brifters kicked the bucket, the left at 16,000 and the right at 20,000km. The WD-40
trick was used to eeck out more life before they died. I had another 96 RSX pair on my travel bike
and they both died at around the same mileage, also did WD-40 trick plus Boeshield T-9 spray for
lubrication each year. This is from riding all season in snow and rain. So you have plenty of life
left on your components.

Quoted message said:

- Is there a big performance jump from an 8-speed Sora to say the 9-speed Ultegra group?

Absolutely not. How can it be, since you are the bike's powerplant, an extra gear helps you in
no way other than providing a less bigger jump for the bigger cogs perhaps (30 to 32) instead
of 28 to 32.

Quoted message said:

- Would simply getting a new chain make a noticeable difference? I was thinking of switching to a
SRAM chain with Powerlink for easier cleaning, especially in the spring when there's a lot of
sand on the roads.

Good idea for the new chain.. I think you're due for one anyhow.

In my opinion, I would stick with 8 speed as long as you can, only replacing the chain as you go
along. If you're happy with what you have now, stick with it. 8 speed stuff, especially the shifters
are harder to find now if you need to replace yours. If you can't find new 8 speed replacement
shifters, then you can think about upgrading to 9 speed. And by the time you do that, prices for 9
speed stuff would probably become more affordable as 10 speed becomes mainstream.

David said:

In article <[email hidden]>, kj

Quoted message said:

I bought my first road bike two summers ago, a GT 5.0 with Shimano Sora components. I have
approximately 2000 miles on it. I did a few centuries this summer and plan on doing more next
season, possibly even a double-century. I'm contemplating upgrading some parts this winter and was
wondering what the general consensus was on a few questions:

- Generally, how many miles should the Sora components last? I ride in pretty hilly areas and try
to keep the chain and gears clean and lubed.

With regular maintenance, it should last you for many miles to come. The only concern with Shimano
stuff is their STI shifters malfunctioning after about 16,000 to 20,000 km or so. Not a rule of
thumb, but a gauge as some people have them working past the 20,000km mark. Recently, both my 99
pair RSX STI brifters kicked the bucket, the left at 16,000 and the right at 20,000km. The WD-40
trick was used to eeck out more life before they died. I had another 96 RSX pair on my travel bike
and they both died at around the same mileage, also did WD-40 trick plus Boeshield T-9 spray for
lubrication each year. This is from riding all season in snow and rain. So you have plenty of life
left on your components.

Quoted message said:

- Is there a big performance jump from an 8-speed Sora to say the 9-speed Ultegra group?

Absolutely not. How can it be, since you are the bike's powerplant, an extra gear helps you in
no way other than providing a less bigger jump for the bigger cogs perhaps (30 to 32) instead of
28 to 32.

Quoted message said:

- Would simply getting a new chain make a noticeable difference? I was thinking of switching to a
SRAM chain with Powerlink for easier cleaning, especially in the spring when there's a lot of
sand on the roads.

Good idea for the new chain.. I think you're due for one anyhow.

In my opinion, I would stick with 8 speed as long as you can, only replacing the chain as you go
along. If you're happy with what you have now, stick with it. 8 speed stuff, especially the
shifters are harder to find now if you need to replace yours. If you can't find new 8 speed
replacement shifters, then you can think about upgrading to 9 speed. And by the time you do that,
prices for 9 speed stuff would probably become more affordable as 10 speed becomes mainstream.

Thanks to all for the replies and advice. It looks like I'll try the new chain and maybe a new
cassette for next season and leave it at that. I guess with my riding time being cut down so much
this time of year that I was itching to do something bike related :-)