Bicycle Mechanics - Upgrading from Sora 8 spd. to Ultegra 9 spd.

I've got a Trek 1000 that I'm considering upgrading from its current Sora 8 speed to an Ultegra 9 speed with this set of components from performancebike

http://www.performancebike.com/shop/cboProfile.html?SKU=5988&Store=Bike

Any advice on doing this? or should I do it piece by piece?

And can anyone provide a link for the best way to determine what size of rear cassette I should get?

Thanks!

One possible catch is rear derailleur cage length. If you have a triple crank, the long-cage derailleur is advisable. The Performance upgrade kit doesn't specify which cage length is included, so it's probably the short-cage version.

Personally, I prefer Sachs/SRAM chains over Shimano, too, on the basis of strength. The Sachs PowerLink is a nice touch too. This might be another reason to buy the parts separately.

As for what cassette to run, if your T1000 is a 2002 bike then it comes with an 11-28T cassette. The 11-tooth may be overkill since you have a 52T chainring up front. If you do want to keep the 11T for a killer high gear, then Shimano has an 11-21 or an 11-23 to offer you in 9sp. Or you can think outside the box and go with a mountain 9sp cassette such as a 11-32 or 11-34 and use a DeoreXT rear derailleur.

If a 12T would be a high-enough gear for your needs, then Shimano has 12-21, 12-23, 12-25 and 12-27, or 12-34T.

Basically, the cassette choice should suit your needs, so think about what gears you use and what gears you don't use.

Ultegra on a Trek 1000? You are kidding yourself. Next a Ouzo Pro fork and Ksyriums? You will still have the crappy Sora crank and wheels.It's a bottom of the barrel frame that is worth less than what you are putting on it.And, if you got a triple,you also need a triple front derailer in addition to the long cage rear.

John,
I have to agree with the others. Ultegra is a lot of overkill for the Trek 1000.
What I would do is upgrade to Tiagra or 105, but nothing more.

If you're changing your front chainring setup from a triple to a double you might want to check with Pedal Power or another shop for help. It's more than just swapping components. You'll have to change the bottom bracket and both derailleurs, plus the other items.
You'll also have to invest in lots of special bike tools.
Go here (http://www.parktool.com/tool_indexes/graphicalindex.shtml) and click on the parts of the bike to see what tools you'll need.


I considered doing this with my Raleigh (before it became my commuter) about 2 years ago. After talking to the "wrench" at Bikeways I decided it would be cheaper and easier to get a new bike. :(
So I started looking at Litespeeds. :D

GOOD LUCK.

I changed my Ultegra double to a triple.

The changed items were crank, bottom bracket & chain. I used a Sram chain, the STI was always triple, I kept the original double derailleurs with no problems.

I did increase my cranks to 175's while it was a free option, you might want to investigate your happyness with crank length if you make the upgrade.

You gotta have a BB tool.

The cassette is your choice..your weight, strength and the hills you ride define the low gear. I you need less than a 27 on the rear you are going to have to change rear deraileur to a mountian type.

With your bike, other than the BB, I would only upgrade to 105's.

But is is only my opinion...........

Terry