Bicycle Mechanics - Build or upgrade?

I have a Giant Cfr3 (no one wanted it on ebay) with Rsx 7 speed. I would like to have something along the lines of 105 or Ultegra on my bike.

My problem is, I can't fit a 9/10 speed rear cassette on my carbon frame. I can't space the rear triangle and it kinda looks like I'm stuck with 7 speed.

Would it be a good idea to build up the existing frame, and deal with only having a 7 sp cassette?
Or should I go with a new frame?

I have a Giant Cfr3 (no one wanted it on ebay) with Rsx 7 speed. I would like to have something along the lines of 105 or Ultegra on my bike.

My problem is, I can't fit a 9/10 speed rear cassette on my carbon frame. I can't space the rear triangle and it kinda looks like I'm stuck with 7 speed.

Would it be a good idea to build up the existing frame, and deal with only having a 7 sp cassette?
Or should I go with a new frame?

Why do you need more than 7 speeds?? What is function will this bike not do for you?? Is it
that you're just tired of this bike?? Will any amount of money invested yield a "better" bike that
is more functional??

Answer these questions to yourself first before you spend one thin dime on anything. It helps
sometimes to write down your answers so that you can SEE where & what you need to do.

I have a Giant Cfr3 (no one wanted it on ebay) with Rsx 7 speed. I would like to have something along the lines of 105 or Ultegra on my bike.

My problem is, I can't fit a 9/10 speed rear cassette on my carbon frame. I can't space the rear triangle and it kinda looks like I'm stuck with 7 speed.

Would it be a good idea to build up the existing frame, and deal with only having a 7 sp cassette?
Or should I go with a new frame?You sure about the rear dropout spacing.There were alot of 7 speeds built with a compromise 128 spacing that works for 126 or 130 hubs,and there were even 130 7 speed hubs.You can also use a 9 speed cassette on your hub by removing a cog and spacer leaving 8 speeds that can be shifted with a 9 speed shimano shifter....I got 9 and 10 speed setups,but find 7 to be perfectly adequate for alot of uses....Why buy something you can't use anyway,or did the light come on afterward?

Convert your CFR to single speed, it would be the only one on the block. Then buy a new bike.

I'm racing as a junior. My bike is heavy @ about 25 pounds! Since my 11 and 13 are locked out on my cassette I have 5 to use on my cassette while everyone has 7-8. Racing against others with a sub 18 pound giant tcr isn't exactly easy. I know that in racing it's not the bike, it's the engine, but there comes a time when you're not on the same playing field anymore.

I originally tried to sell it to be able to buy a team bike but no one bidded. I figured I may want to try to upgrade it. So no, it's not that I'm tired with the bike, I want to keep as much of it as possible.

The double question mark isn't necessary.

What is your max gear inches? (I can't remember for juniors) You should be able to drop the front chainrings to keep your max gear low and still use your full cassete.

Giant CFR3,

Have your local road shop get you a couple appropriate "Junior" gear inch 7-speed cassettes. Then upgrade your wheels, tires, and tubes to a race-day set. Install the cassettes on your training (existing) & racing (new) wheels. This is a cost effective way to move closer to podium finishes and maybe convince a shop to give you a hot deal on a new bike. Good luck!!!