Commuting - Drivetrain upgrade recommendations?

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groove10
07-15-05, 07:13 AM
I'm currently riding a 2001 Lemond Poprad as a commuter. I lvoe the bike, but I can feel the upgrade bug biting at my heels. The bike is currently set up as shown here with the exception of a Selle Italia (classic) saddle: http://myspace-575.vo.llnwd.net/00110/57/59/110339575_l.jpg.

It's running the Shimano Sora groupo with some Vuelta chainrings (46t and 34t) in the front. As my fitness and cycling ability has increased I am finding that this gearing is too small for my needs. I bought the bike from a cyclocrosser which is why it was set up with those rings.

I have 110 BCD cranks, Shimano bar-end shifters (which I like).

So, if you were to upgrade the drivetrain of this bike, where would you go? Stick to Shimano? Go to 105, or Ultegra? Go Campy? The BB is on its way out anyway, so that can be replaced too. I don't mind my cranks (Kooka forged Al) so I don't feel a compelling need to upgrade those.

BTW, I hope to do a little bit of pure road riding on the side.

Thanks guys.

Signed,
A dedicated commuter

rainedon
07-15-05, 09:09 AM
I think that 105 is the best bang for the buck. It is a workhorse. You can sometimes find a good deal on the whole group (I guess you couldn't use the brakes, so you could send them to me), or as long as you like your bar end shifters you could just piece together the components that you actually need (BB, crankset, etc..). But my vote is 105.