Bicycle Mechanics - upgrading to Ultegra

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ekib555
08-20-08, 05:56 AM
I have a Specialized Allez with all Tiagra components. It has 9-speed rear cassette and a triple gear front crank. I want to upgrade to all Ultegra, 10-speed rear, double front crank. Has anyone done this type of upgrade? Can I do it in stages? I'd like to do the crankset and front derailluer first.

nubcake
08-20-08, 06:04 AM
you can do it in stages but the crankset and the front derailer are going to be the two least important things to swap, actually they are things that you can probably get away without changing for a while. Id try and do shifters, cassette, chain, r derailer first.
SoonerBent
08-20-08, 06:41 AM
If you want to do the FD and crank first that will work fine. The 9 speed chain you now have will work just fine with the 10 speed FD and crank. Then later the shifters, RD, cassette and chain will have to be changed together.

Tinkeric
08-20-08, 08:15 AM
If you want to save a lot of cash but still have Ultegra cranks, you can buy the earlier Ultegra double cranks (V1 Octalink) which are $80 on Nashbar compared to $220 for the newer ones. The only compatible BB that you can still find is Shimano 105, though.
Mr. Underbridge
08-20-08, 09:17 AM
It'll be fairly costly that way. Unless you're absolutely in love with that frame, once you start looking at upgrading everything, it's cost-effective to sell your current bike and get a new one with what you want.
gervelo
08-20-08, 10:16 AM
I would suggest you change the rear derailleur with the crankset. The front der can be on your second stage...my experience is that the rear der is the most important one.
Al1943
08-20-08, 11:26 AM
It'll be fairly costly that way. Unless you're absolutely in love with that frame, once you start looking at upgrading everything, it's cost-effective to sell your current bike and get a new one with what you want.

+1
I'd leave it 9-speed and replace only those parts that are worn out.
Save your money for a new bike.