DMC707

I've been waffling back and forth on what groupset /wheels/build kit -- etc etc etc for so long to put on a couple of my "resto-mods" , I missed out on the best prices it seems

The much regarded 5800 105 groupset is now closer to the $450 range (up from around 350ish?) , - and cant even find an Athena set for any of the Italian machines (but Veloce still available and cheap, and my experience with a current Veloce equipped bike is quite good )

Hurry gents ! they are still at a good price - just not as good as last week

Bikerider007

I don't know if it's that time of year or what but it's been tough in Az as well. No quality listings andI see vintage Campy higher than the bay. Even in SoCal where I am now.

Andy_K 

The consensus seemed to be that Athena would be discontinued after Potenza rolled out. I haven't heard anything official from Campagnolo and their web site still shows Athena, but I panicked and pulled the trigger on a silver Athena group the day Potenza was announced. I've been thinking about snatching up one of the few Athena silver cranks left just to have one in my stash.

I don't remember seeing 105 for $350, but I'll take your word for it. At $435 it's still a ridiculously good deal.

cs1

Don't think I've ever seen 105 that low either.

rccardr 

Sooner or later the OEM packaged stuff at the lower exchange rates had to dry up; when new stock comes in it will be repriced at the new pound/yen and dollar/pound rates. You may still find some 105 in the 300's 0ver the next few months if you look hard and act fast.

When things were most advantageous it was possible to buy 105 groupsets for well under $350 delivered to your door. Right now both Wiggle and Chain Reaction have 5800 for $399 delivered to the USA. Still a bargain.

Kobe 

For $399 that is a great deal, but I would still gave to change out that crankset. I wish Shimano would redesign these or go back to their old style.

plonz 

Wow, I just got my 5800 group 1 month ago for $318 and free shipping from Ribble. Now it's $435 with a $40 online code to make it $395. Still a good deal.

gomango

I'm lukewarm on that design.

I used a VBC crankset on my Black Mountain Cycle's Monstercross.

I picked it up at a decent used price and sold the 6800 crankset that came with the groupset when I bought it.

So far, so good with that decision.

It was just about an even swap.

FWIW It shifts as nicely as my beloved 10 speed Chorus groupsets.

qcpmsame 

Makes me glad that I got the 6800 group set from Ribble, last February. It was well worth the time and effort to do the total upgrade on my CAAD 10. Much nicer that the SRAM Rival it came with.

Bill

jiangshi

FYI, some folks are reporting CC fraud after shopping at Wiggle lately.

Kobe 

I went with Sram Rival on my custom this year. Mainly for the 180mm crankset. I am still getting use to the double tap, but so far it has been just ok. My 10 year old Ultegra 9spd shifts better.

For some reason I never knew about the VBC crank set @gomamgo, they even come in 180mm. If I had I would have done exactly what you did.

gomango

I had an incident with PBK three years ago.

Credit card was used to buy a ticket from London to Paris.

Pain in the b....

gomango

I was lucky to find one used.

plonz 

You know what they say about beauty...

While I'm also lukewarm on the Shimano design, I think the White Industries VBC design is even more out of place on a sleek road machine. Looks like a pipe wrench in a drawer of fine silver. Better option aesthetically for mountain bikes IMO.

gomango

I wouldn't put it on a Bixxis or a Pegoretti for example, but I would reach for it instantly on an all roader or a modern tourer.

Here's a great example I recently saw on the Radavist blog.




Very nice looking machine. One of my favorites.

As for the Ultegra and 105 cranks, they don't do loads for me in the looks department, but they function beautifully.

Campy doesn't make it easier either. I'm trying to warm up to the new Potenza crankset, but I just don't know. I go back and forth on this one. I really want to like it, but.......

Maybe I have to see it on the right bike for it to click.

Spaghetti Legs 

I use PayPal for that very reason. Wiggle has been very good to me, usually get the package in a week.

shoota 

Makes me wish I had bought more 105 groups when they were $303

Grand Bois

It doesn't bother me since I'm into vintage bikes and components.

Ex Pres 

Look at PBK. 5800 groupset = $346 free shipping

al_bk

I picked up an almost complete 105 5800 groupset (all but brakeset) for $337 at ChainReactionCycles this week. I believe they're based out of Northern Ireland.

Shimano really needs to make a long reach brake that fits with the rest of 105. I grabbed some VO Grand Cru brakes instead.. Didn't like the look of the sole Shimano option. And yeah, the crankset is hideous compared to the earlier versions.

Bandera

I was hoping that some NOS 1968 Nuovo Records Groupos had been found for sale in Blighty.
Guess not, how is the panting over 5800/6800 prices relevant pre 2060 in the C&V sub-forum?

-Bandera

plonz 

Relevant like panting over putting an EFI crate motor in your '32 Highboy.

bwilli88 

I wish that Shimano would continue to make a better that 4000 level triple set.

Grand Bois

I'd prefer a Mercury flathead.

Bandera

More like a transmission replacement since sans EPO/HGH slotting in a Big Motor ain't happening.

-Bandera