Looking for some input...
 

So, I am trying to decide if it is worth it to switch some stuff.
Right now I have an '85 Torpado super Strada with Sora (3500) 9 speed, a 2001 Lemond Nevada City with Ultegra 11 speed (currently set up as 10), and a Felt Z85 with 105 10 speed.

What I am thinking about doing is:
Move the Ultegra to the Torpado (it is my newest, but favorite bike).
Move the 105 to the Lemond (it is never going anywhere).
Move the Sora to the Felt (may end up selling).

I know what they are like (they are all mine). I am not ever going to be at a level where it makes a difference. I'm just wondering if it makes any sense to do this? Or if it is just my natural desire to tinker with stuff.

If you had the opportunity, would you move stuff around so the "higher" level stuff is on your main rider?

I'm good with the Sora to Felt but not so sure about the others. My feeling is that the Lemond should get the Ultegra.

The Ultegra is one the LeMond, but I am curious as to why you think it should have it? ...but I was thinking I should put them in order of where they fit in the ride time...I.e. Most ridden gets highest level (Ultegra), down to Sora.

Just thinking.

I'd just do it by order of personal preference like you're thinking. If there's a bike I ride the most, heck yes I want the best I have on it.

I think I'd swap the Sora and 105. The Felt ends up with the group you want on it. I don't really see a big difference with the 105 and Ultegra, they are both good groups, the Torpado will be fun with the 105. You can always do the other swap someday - or another setup may pop up.

I follow your ride time thinking now. I just jumped on the bike matching component train of thought. Subjective, as most of my thoughts are these days.

I understand the dilemma, I love my super strada and while I want to keep it Heroica, ready I really think about putting a whole new groupset on it

when I think of that I think of things like this



ribble potenza $570 Campagnolo Potenza Silver 11 Speed Double Groupset - Road Groupsets - Ribble Cycles (interesting that ribble had nothing lower than potenza)

or a whole new shimano

105 silver $455 Shimano 105 (5800) Silver 11 Speed Double Groupset - Road Groupsets - Ribble Cycles

^ This!

New groupset on your most ridden one from one of the UK suppliers. I've got around 5000 miles on the two 11 speed Athena groupsets I bought and they are still going flawlessly. One was gotten on sale at right over $300 and the other was maybe $50 more. Great deals!

Hahaha. SD..you and Jamesdak are funny. I have no money (or interest) for a new group. I already have these. Just getting input as to which bike should get which group.

My thoughts, the favorite gets the best. But I have no duplicates in my fleet.

Touring bike has the 105 10 speed triple
Road bike has 105 10 speed double
Mt/gravel bike XT 760 9 speed triple
Cruiser has SRAM 2 speed auto
City bike has Altus 1x7 speed

I would do it mainly because it would nag at me until I finally did it. I just like to tinker with bikes. I don't think it will make a difference in performance, but it will probably make you happy. So what are you waiting for?

Just waiting for an excuse/reason. But yeah, it's bugged me since I got the Torpado and fell in love with it.

I like putting the better or best stuff on my favorites.

So if the Ultegra stuff is "better" to you, put it on your favorite bike.

However, if something lower on the ladder works better for you, or makes more sense to you- do that.

Some people are happy with working stuff on their bike- I like nice stuff, and little stuff matters. And I like to play with stuff. :D

I would put the least favorite stuff on the bike that might go away.

Prejudiced here. Moved some stuff to my Torpado (Campy hubs and brakes, TRP levers, 14/28 free wheel) cause, like you, that bike just sings to me when I ride it. I'd say--do it cause you can, ride the $#!^ out of it and see what you think. We're not talking wall hangers here. If you dont like, or find some components that need tweaking--go for it. We can always reverse the project. Have fun!

I tend to match equipment I like with frames I like, in descending order. No real care if a particular frame "deserves" better equipment. Build what you'll ride, how you like. Life's too short to worry about it much.

If it were me, I'd do it just as you're describing. Either way, I'd definitely put the Sora on the Felt.

Really the only thing that might give pause about the Ultegra going on the Torpado is that you might find yourself deciding against riding it in certain areas because the group could draw a bit more attention from potential thieves. This may not be an issue for you depending on where you ride and whether you always keep your bike in view. I can say that I'm more comfortable leaving a 105 bike locked up visibly at work. An Ultegra bike I would typically want to lock in an opaque bike locker.

If you can really tell one frame from another from another in terms of comfort, efficiency, speed, etc; that is, if you really have something like an objective reason to prefer one to another; AND if you find one component group superior in some similarly quasi-objective standard, then it makes sense. If not, well, then, not. Which is not to say "don't do it!", but rather, do it if you want to.

As for me, I cannot say any of my frames feel different from any of the others. The differences I feel are the different components, and I like the feel of different components and in particular different contact points for my hands. In many cases they are different but equal. Maybe that's just me. Do what you like, or do what you want, your call.

Thanks everyone. I went ahead and swapped the Sora onto the Felt and the 105 onto the Torpado. I am going to put the Felt up for sale.

As for feeling a difference...I can in comfort. That is about all. The Torpado is by far my most comfortable bike. It fits me perfectly. The Felt is also comfortabl...it just does not inspire me...so I think it is time for it to go to someone that will appreciate it.

Cool. Now, when you sell the felt get a Shimano 600 group for the Torpado.:)