Bicycle Mechanics - In your opinion, what is the most important component set?

Hi I bought a cyclocross TCX1 by Giant and it has the complete Sora set by Shimano. I'm looking to replace two of the components with Ultegra.

Now, in your opinion, which 2of the 7 components
(Chains, crankset, Front Deraulier, Rear Deraulier, Shifters, Brakes, Cassette Set) makes the most difference when riding?

Actually if you can, I'd be more happy if you listed all 7 (1 being best, 7 being least)

Well, uhh this is SSFG forum and you're talking about gears.....


I'd say shifters and brakes.

the importantest one is the one which allows you to properly select the forum.


we don't care about sora. sora sucks at what it is and we hate what it is. so no.

but yes definitely ditch it for ultegra maybe just flightdeck shifters and brakes.

i say ditch the ultegra and get 3 or 4 105 parts.

the legs.

Sora and Tiagra suck, even a brakeless track bike hooligan knows this! Do things right the FIRST time, 105 or better! But 105 is the minimum!!! No money? Boo hoo!

The number of speeds of the rear shifter, cassette, and chain must match, so if you change one of those components from Sora (8- or 9-speed) to Ultegra (10-speed), you'll need to change out the rest.

The front derailleur should also match the chain, but it's not as necessary. The Sora FD will be slightly wider than a 10-speed FD, so shifting may be less quick, but on the plus-side the need to trim will be lessened. If you have a triple crank, replace the derailleur with a GS model (medium/long cage) and not SS (short cage), unless you also change to a double crank.

The rear derailleur won't care how many speeds you're running. Therefore, you could change it out without messing with anything else and maybe notice a slight improvement.

The brakes are probably good enough, though changing out the pads to Kool Stop salmon will improve them. I wouldn't worry about the crank; keep in mind, you'll probably need a new bottom bracket with the crank.

If I were you, I'd replace the shifters, cassette, and chain first. But shifters are the most expensive part. You'd be better off using the bike until at least the cassette needs replacing.

PS- Posts like this should be in Bicycle Mechanics.

First off - wrong forum section - I'm sure a mod will move this to the proper area.

Secondly - why don't you specify a budget $$ - instead of # of components. This is why:

If I tell you the two best things are Shifters and a Crank - those two Ultegra 6600 parts would run you right around $500.

If I tell you the two best things are a Front Derailleur and a Chain it will cost like $90.

That's a wide range of possibilities...

The reason I ask for a budget, is because if you can afford the 2 expensive pieces, you can almost afford an ENTIRE 105 groupset. { click me ** (http://www.totalcycling.com/index.php/product/parts_accessories/groupsets_road/GR_SHIMANO_5600.html?action=currency&id=USD) The 105 groupset is more than sufficient for the everyday rider.

If you look on eBay you may even snag a pull-off 105 or Ultegra set for cheaper. There are a bunch of factors.

Also - Ultegra for cyclocross may only be good if you have a nice budget. You crack a couple brifters and you're out alot of money real quick. Cyclocross is hard on components.

It's just difficult to answer your question, plus Sora+Ultegra don't really mix well as components. It's like putting Corvette brakes on a Cavalier.

Sora and Tiagra suck, even a brakeless track bike hooligan knows this! Do things right the FIRST time, 105 or better! But 105 is the minimum!!! No money? Boo hoo!

Actually, the new Tiagra isn't that bad. The major downside is that it's 9-speed whereas the new 105 is 10-speed.

I too would recommend getting 105 from the get-go, but some people are just on a budget. Also, I think it would be better to a few 105 parts versus 1 or 2 Ultegra parts.

If you're looking at the Ultegra range, why not just sell your Sora bike? If you get a 105 bike, you may be spending more than the difference of simply buying your Ultegra parts, but the frame quality will be much nicer, you'll probably get a carbon stay, seatpost, nicer wheels, etc...?

drop it all and put a phils fixed hub, some deep v's, and some risers. now you in the the right forum

Rear shifter and rear derailluer. Shimano front shifter barely work anyway, so front front shifter won't matter much.

the legs.

Definitely.

For SSFG, your hub and cog are most important.

a proper FITTING bike

Definitely.

For SSFG, your hub and cog are most important.

+1111

Sorry guys about the wrong forum, I'm new here to bikeforums and i'm also a entry level biker. ok I guess a mod will move this to bike mechanics.

Secondly, it's EXPENSIVE to find a bike with 105 or higher. Usually CX bikes cost with 105 shifters cost $2000 or higher and I could only afford less than $1000.

RickyAustin, are you saying it's a BAD idea to put anything higher than a 105 on a CX bike because the hard virbrationing and impact of riding a CX can easily break the gears?

Frameset>wheelset>crankset>bars>stem>pedals>brakes

Wheels make the biggest impact of any component change (including many framesets, if the fit is the same).

Moved per OP request

Sora and Tiagra suck, even a brakeless track bike hooligan knows this! Do things right the FIRST time, 105 or better! But 105 is the minimum!!! No money? Boo hoo!

Incorrect and an awful attitude to boot. Not everyone a) has money to drop on bikes or b) wants to drop their money on bikes even if they are well off.

Sora and Tiagra have their place. The girlfriend has a Tiagra equipped bike and it works very well.

If you're worried about the extra gear (10s instead of 9s) then you really needed 105 or above in the first place. If you just want to ride, Sora/Tiagra is excellent value and good kit to use.

The notion of picking 2 components to upgrade is an odd way to approach the situation. As others have suggested, a full groupset upgrade, not necessarily Ultegra but 105 or even full Tiagra would be more appropriate for a noticeable improvement.

Most important = brakes
Second most important = shifting, especially the rear shifting which is done far more than the front.

Least important = seatpost (any cheapie will do)
Next to least in importance = headset