rms13

I bought a CAAD 10 with 5700 group (with Tektro brakes and FSA Gossamer cranks). I have another bike with full 5700 and one that I am selling with full 6700.

The CAAD has about 1200 miles so all comments are in pretty good shape. I "want" to upgrade wheels for sure because I can lose a approximately 1 pound for less than $400

There is nothing about the current set up that doesn't work. The brakes feel very weak and sloppy compared to Shimano brakes on my other bikes so I "want" to replace brakes. I would also like to replace cranks with Shimano but probably more out of vanity because the FSA cranks do feel plenty stiff and get the job done when I'm on the bike. 5800 brakes cost about $60, Cranks about $100 but going down the slippery slope, the 5800 group is now $368.54 at Merlin ($331.68 if I can live with 12-25 cassette). This is probably all money I don't need to spend but it just seems like a great deal right now for a group that in my opinion is better than outgoing Ultegra and from other opinions as good as current Ultegra. What would you do?

GP

Wear out the existing components.

Mike F

If you upgrade tho 5800 you will have to get at least a new back wheel that will accommodate the 11 speed cassette (unless you have one already using the spacer). Thats whats keeping me from going 5700 -6800 right now.

Dunbar

The rear wheel is really the expensive part about upgrading to 11sp. If you're getting new wheels anyways that's a nonissue in your case. If you sell your old stuff for ~$200 on Cragislist or Ebay, and install the new stuff yourself, it ends up being a pretty cheap upgrade.

rms13

Well, I am planning on getting new lighter wheels regardless and they will be 11 speed ready. That's what opens the Pandors box. That and the sizable tax return I just got. Of course saving or inverting money is smarter but less fun

ricohman

I just upgraded my 10 spd Specialized Roubiax to full 5800. There were three reason I did this.
1. My Roubaix has 47,000 kms and its been through many parts, but whats left is worn out.
2. I used the Mavic wheelset from my CAAD10 and an 11spd cassette drops right on.
3. This is my go-to training and distance bike and it fits so well.

If you have Mavic wheels the 11spd fits. Simple as pie.

dtrain

I'd vote for brakes only (and maybe the newer style cables). The crankset would need an adapter to run with the BB30 and probably won't be any lighter. Wear the 5700 stuff out. If you want wheels, 11 speed ready would be wise.

rpenmanparker 

Do it. It is the right thing to do, providing it is what you want. This one is a no-brainer. Not counting the wheels you will be buying anyway, less than net $200 to make the exchange. How do you beat that.

Nachoman

If it was me, and I wanted the upgrade, I'd just do it, rather than waiting for parts "wear out".
Some of this crap can last for decades.

RJM

I just don't think it is much of an upgrade, so I wouldn't spend the cash on it. Getting new wheels could be done without shelling the money for the groupset, and brakes are relatively cheap, but switching from a working 5700 group to 5800 just isn't that big of an upgrade to justify spending money on it. IMHO.

WhyFi

I'd rather put towards the N+1 bike.

rpenmanparker 

After selling the old brakes, new brakes alone would cost about $40. So the difference to get the whole group is maybe $160. Once again, not counting the wheels. I don't see how you can just not do it.

sam_cyclist

Have you tried upgrading the pads first? Try kool stops. Perhaps $12 for front and rear and maybe 5 minutes of install time.

If you are getting new wheels and a new 105 groupset, and if you require shop labor to install the group, you are looking at $1K in upgrade costs.

This is very close to the cost of some pretty nice 105 5800 bikes, such as the Giant Defy 1 2015.

If I had $1K to spend on upgrades, I would just buy a new bike.

rpenmanparker 

He wants the kind of wheels that don't come on a 105-equipped new bike. That part of the expense has to be spent no matter what else he does, even buying the Giant you called out. The cost of the 5800 parts even with installation won't break $300. Also if his bike only has 1,200 miles on it, it is essentially new, so buying a new bike gets him nothing except the 5800. Spending the few bucks on that is the right thing to do (given his desires). Why is that so hard to understand?

rms13

I have not tried pads, but read enough forum threads about these particular Tektro brake to know it's the caliper not the pad. I've read dozens of posts of people installing Kool Stop or Shimano pads and still having to poor modulation and brake feel

I do all my own labor so that's not an issue. I paid $500 for the bike, $700 in upgrades brings me to $1200. Even if I could get the Defy for $1200, I wouldn't want it because I like more aggressive geometry and it has Tektro brakes, FSA cranks and heavy entry level wheels which are three reasons I want to upgrade my current bike Same with new CAAD10 105 or any other 105 bike in that price range, they all come with lower level wheels, brakes and cranks.

rms13

This is pretty much how I'm thinking now. Either I get just wheels and maybe new better cables and housing or I go all in now. Even if I just did brakes, cables and housing that's only about $250 away from new groupset and if I can get $200 back selling old parts it is a no brainer. I guess. Then I should be good for at least 5 years (famous last words)

jbenkert111

Of course, what is even smarter, is not giving Uncle Sam such a sizable FREE loan in the first place. :-)

rms13

yes of course. Off topic , but I was always a claim 0 type because I always thought it was better to get a return than owe money. I changed my filing this year because I realize it's better to have money making interest for me all year than for the govt

Ghazmh

Not worth it,

hueyhoolihan

i agree , but realistically, except for brake pads and maybe bearings, it will never happen. i'm running 30-35 year old shimano components on many of my bikes and i'm sure they echo Nikita Khrushchev, if they could, with a simple, "we will bury you".

sam_cyclist

I did a quick search and kool stop pads, esp. salmons, are a consensus 4.5 to 5/5 rated product. Numerous tektro brake users report a significant improvement in braking performance.

I just don't see what you've got to lose with a $10 or $12 upgrade, which could yield a very significant improvement.

edit: as far as upgrading from FSA to shimano cranks, you've already said you doubt there is any performance upgrade, so I don't see the need there.

BoSoxYacht

Other than the "5year" nonsense, I agree.

5800 works better than 5700, and if you were planning on new wheels either way, it's a no-brainer. Sell off the 5700 stuff( or keep it for a budget commuter/bad weather bike).

catonec 

If you're going to up grade, do it right as someone else mentioned.

Buy yourself an ultegra group, probably only $200-$300 more than the 105. Then buy a wheelset.

Yes this represents a larger investment BUT:

* You will have this forever. you can move it from one frame to another for the next 20 years

* moving up a level in components will be much more noticable than a lateral move. this makes more sense to me and actually qualifies as an "upgrade"

* you said you just received a sizable monetary winfall, ie taxes. Treat yo self!

cale

Uh Oh, someone better tell Shimano that their Ultegra group that it is in danger of being eclipsed by a lesser group. ;-)

You need not explain the thinking that lets a $60 purchase turn into a $350 purchase. I'm all too familiar with it. But do as I suggest not as I'd do.

sam_cyclist

I think this is a much better idea than a 5700 to 5800 upgrade.

btw, is 5700 really that bad? I have tiagra 10 speed, and it shifts absolutely perfectly. I noticed no difference in shifting quality between tiagra 10 and 105 11 in shift quality on multiple test rides.