Road Cycling - should I upgrade?

I bought an older road bike off of ebay that's an 80's Lotus steel frame upgraded with 105 components, double/6-speed. The frames in pretty good shape with only a tad bit of surface rust. It needs a new rear hub, cassette and shifters(since I'll be going from a six to probably an 8), and also a new front derailleur. The everything else looks okay if a bit used. Should I put money around the frame I have and buy a decent new group(105/ultegra/centaur), or just buy the individual parts? I'm training and commuting on it.

Any help would be appreciated.

The standard response with an older bike is no. There are exceptions: an old friend you've had for years and can't bear to part with but you've got the itch to try out the new stuff too. However you just bought this bike.

I think I saw that Lotus on eBay. Solid bike but Ultegra/Centaur gruppos are many more $ than the bike and the bike doesn't appreciate anywhere near that much in value. To upgrade probably requires spreading the rear triangle as well as rebuilding/replacing the rear wheel.

You've got a solid Shimano group on that bike now. If you need a rear hub there are many sources for retro rear wheels, not the least of which is eBay. Ride that bike for what it is, don't spend big $ to make it something else.

OTOH it's your money and you may certainly spend it as you see fit. I'm sure a LBS will be happy to help you out. If you're determined to do it buy the gruppo. More cash up front but alot less in the long run.

Thanks for the advice. That seems like the best, and least expensive, way to go. How do I make sure the parts will work for the bike?

Walter had the probable, most likely answer.

You have a few cost-efficient options, however, especially if you can find used parts on a donor bike or at a bike repair shop.

1. Keep current shifters, or if you replace them, find other downtube friction shifters ($10-15). A used set of 7- or 8-speed indexed shifters is a good bet (cheap if you find them), but you will need a new derailleur.

Why do you need a rear hub? Are bearing races kaputt? Otherwise, new bearings and new grease might solve the issue. Then, if the freewheel is worn out, you can find a 7-speed freewheel that will fit on the wheel as is. If you really need a new wheel, then try to find a used 7-speed one, as it will fit as is in the dropouts.

BTW, the original friction shifters (or they might be indexed/friction, in which case you should select Friction) are able to shift a 7-speed freewheel or cassette, and maybe even an 8 or 9-speed cassette, with your existing derailleur or with a new one. IOW, no need to replace the shifters unless they don't work.

Originally posted by mmmmmhills
I bought an older road bike off of ebay that's an 80's Lotus steel frame upgraded with 105 components, double/6-speed.


I like your username :)

Regarding the bike, it wouldn't happen to be painted red with white Lotus decals on it would it? The only reason I ask is some time ago I sold a red Lotus Legend Compe on Ebay and it was 6-speed with 105 components. If the auction closed in the last 90 days would you please post the number so I can take a look at it?

Regarding upgrading - I'd probably keep it as is.

Zack

If I was upgrading to an 8-speed setup, which I don't think I'll do now, the guy at my LBS said I'd need a new rear hub. Otherwise, the hub is fine, so no replacement needed there. A lot of the teeth on the cassette are bent or shorter than the others, so I figured that needed to be replaced either way. The shifters seem to work fine. The chain broke, so that's why I'm just now noticing all this. That, I'm pretty much a complete newbie. Thanks for all the help so far.

BTW, mine's blue with white lettering.

It is definately cheaper to keep it as is, but it's your money. I am in the process of ugrading a old steel bike I have. It was red and white, I'm almost done repainting it and since I have a 9sp shimano wheelset I decided to upgrade it to all 105 9sp. With the 20% off at nashbar it ran me around $270.

105 is not a bad gruppo. For what you are looking for it will be a work horse and will not cost you much for a decent ride. Your not looking for weight savings and you are not planning on serious racing so go for it. Save your money for your next bike. There is always a next one. Once you stomp you can's stop.

Would these work?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=3607873098&category=42332

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=3607088839&category=42332