SeattleRider57

With the shelter in home orders, I've been on a Zwift tear, buying a new Kickr to make it more tolerable. That said, I don't want to thrash my 2019 Trek Domane, so I'd like to re-purpose my old 2005 Specialized Allez Elite for my Zwifting needs. The main reason I bought the new bike, was I nearly destroyed by Allez Elite a couple years ago, with the chain snapping and derailleur going sideways during an event. What I would like to do, i optimize it for my daily Zwifting, so as a complete novice mechanic, but willing to learn(have a few tools), what would you recommend as a part replacement plan? Right now, I've put a 9 speed cassette on the Kickr, but it's shifting like crap and has a much different feel since it's 9 speed vs 11 speed on the Domane. Can i replace the shifters, derailleur, chain, and crank on a bike this old and switch to an 11 speed setup? Or should I just get a new derailleur and chain(maybe cables too), and stick with 9 speed? Thanks!

Greiselman

I did something similar... using a 20+ year old Trek on a Smart trainer. I did buy a new 9 speed cassette to leave on the trainer, and I haven't had any issues with 9 speed vs 11 speed (also - check out Zwift's erg mode, which may limit the number of gears you use during Workouts). A new cassette and chain might be enough for a smooth indoor ride.

SeattleRider57

Thanks! The 9 speed cassette on the trainer is brand new, but I could use a new chain I bet. Also, looking at the derailleur, it doesn't look to be in alignment and isn't shifting especially great, but here's where I don't know if I should buy a new derailluer(when I snapped the chain, that derailleur was at a 90 degree angle) and maybe cables. Of course, being a newb mechanic, I'm not sure of the best way to proceed. Thanks for the tip on the Zwift power stuff - that's a good idea. it still 'feels' like it isn't accurate on power, even though I've done a few spindowns now. Maybe it's in my head, but I don't think so.

Russ Roth

If you've got money to burn then switching to 11sp is more then possible, but as you have to go 105 level or higher to do so its quite the expense for making an old bike for the trainer shift like your new bike. I have predominantly used an even older 8sp giant on mine and on some of the climbs have really suffered with the old double crank and have even had to bail on a couple rides when they got too steep so I can see some benefit to doing some changing. The most economical will be a new chain and cassette if the old ones are worn but you also may just not have the rear der adjusted to the trainer's cassette location and I'd look at that first.

SeattleRider57

What would you recommend from a component standpoint then? I have the rear cassette on the Kickr already - it's Shimano, but not sure what else to put on there. Knowing it's 2005 vintage, I'm just not sure what to buy. I realize I might have to suffer a learning curve to install. Thanks!

dsbrantjr

I would have the alignment of the derailleur hanger checked, first. A new chain might help as an old chain does not always play well on a new cassette. Finally, new cables (and housings) are inexpensive and will almost always make a positive difference in shifting performance.

SeattleRider57

Thanks - I'm going to spend some time today messing with the rear derailleur and see if I can tune it a bit, including alignment.

HillRider

If the frame's derailleur hanger is misaligned nothing you can add in the way of a new derailleur, chain, cassette, etc. is going to improve shifting. Get that fixed first. Properly installed 9-speed should shift very well so that alone isn't the problem.