J.W.

So ya i have already got the idea of upgrading. I plan on riding as much as i can this summer, while saving for some upgrades for my bike (already snagged a new wheelset..Neuvation M28's) and i was wondering if it would be worth spending the money on my bike (08' Allez)? I would probably shoot for SRAM Rival or Ultegra SL. I figure i could always switch the groupset to another bike down the line. Opinions? Or option B just save for a new carbon bike (felt F3-4 maybe)?

grahny

Without a performance or comfort problem with the current group I don't see a reason to upgrade now... although I understand the upgrade bug all too well. Personally, I'd just wait until you upgrade the full package. Your money will be better spent.

mrbubbles

Go ride your bike. Buy a new one when it breaks.

Johnny Rad

mrbubbles makes a good point that can be hard to see (at least for me it was / is). Here's a common story. We spring for a sweet bike. It's hot. It's new, but you catch the upgrade bug. You want to upgrade your sweet new rig, but before long you've spent a hefty chunk (or more!) of what it would cost to get a new rig. Since you do it bit by bit, it doesn't seem to add up. Furthermore, you think that you'll never get another bike and that doesn't have to be true. My humble recommendation is to limit your upgrades and bank the rest for a new bike down the road. Get a sweeter, newer bike!

FlashUNC

As someone doing an upgrade to a frame I already own, I can attest to what some earlier folks said.
I'm stripping parts of my first road frame (still in great shape after spending the last 8 years in storage), and throwing a 10 speed group on there.
Other than the sentimental value of it being my first road frame, I would be far better off just buying a new bike for what I'm spending, or at least getting a great head start on one.

So yes, save and see where it goes.

mrbubbles

Exactly. Upgrading is absolutely pointless unless your components doesn't work. You'll be spending the money that should've gone towards your next bike. I would like to upgrade my Ultegra 10s to DuraAce, but what is that going to accomplish? More bling? It is certainly not going to make me ride faster.

GernBlanston

+1 for holdnig out for a new bike.

Upgrades are fun, but your bike will always look more or less the same and have the same feel. If you want it to be different/sexier/more exciting, buy a new bike.

J.W.

I have found a 105 groupset for 50bucks (for now). I think that would be worth it, dont you?

dtrain

What do you mean by 'for now'? Ebay auction? Sure that'd be worth your $51 bid...but that won't come close to winning the group. You can search completed listings to get a better sense of what it will go for.

The wheelset was a decent use of money and could be moved to a new frame/bike down the road. New groupsets (unless your current shifters are broken) don't tend to make nearly as much sense.

rizz

It does when the chain ring and cassette are worn, though. Perfect opportunity for an upgrade.

Now if only we could find a vendor that would hook Bike Forums members up with volume pricing on groupset components. Mmm.

dtrain

??

Of that part, maybe, but those aren't reasons to go up to 10-speed or upgrade a whole group up a level or two. Cassettes are wear items and relatively cheap. Same with chainrings, which should take a lot more miles to wear out anyway.

J.W.

Especially since i only paid 150 shipped for them.

SoreFeet

Ride a steel bike that isn't made from robots. It will feel like a human spirit is on the road with you.