Do you buy/stock spare parts for older groupsets
 

Does anyone buy or think its a good idea to buy spare parts (same or compatible) for older groupsets/bikes?

My 2009 Scott CR1 Team compact has 105 5600 with light use (injuries/surgeries since I bought it on a 2010 closeout sale - just now putting notable mileage in). Works perfectly and I expect to ride it for some time to come. Even if I were to consider a new bike in a couple years. My concern would be finding good used or NOS parts as time goes on to keep this one as at least a second bike.

Was thinking to start keeping an eye out for an RD, FD and maybe shifters. Could get a little expensive just keeping them on the shelf. There is a bit of cross reference in this as I understand things like my 5600 shifters are not compatible with newer FDs (I think - need to research more). Are there just a few key items I should look to stock?

Good planning or just a waste of time and money?

Brake calipers, cranks, and FDs are really no BIG issue to replace with similar or newer offerings. RDs are iffy. They may or may not be a problem. I interchanged 9 and 10 speed RDs for years. The main problem item would be the brifters, and they are so expensive. Do you really want to tie up that much money in order to keep an old group old? Better to make the changes that are needed when the problem occurs. If that means updating the bike, so be it. Sure some folks see their bikes as a unitized machine. It has to always remain exactly as it was purchased. I, on the other hand, appreciate the opportunity to update and even upgrade the bike as cycling technology changes. Piecewise or groupwise, no matter. No nostalgia here.

I've stocked up on a few items when it's made sense to do so. Example: Campagnolo Veloce & Centaur square taper bottom brackets seem to be getting scarce as Campy has moved those lines over to external bearings. I recently grabbed a square taper Centaur bottom bracket so I wouldn't need to replace my crankset when my current bottom bracket wears out.

You can usually see these kinds of changes coming in component manufacturers' product lines, so I'd suggest waiting 'til you see a pending incompatibility. As the new stuff gets phased in, pick up the old stuff when it goes on clearance (but before it goes out of stock).

i still snatch up old dura ace 9 speed stuff when I see them. but for 105s. why not just up grade as parts wear out.

That's 10 speed 105, correct?

No sense stocking up for at least the better part of a decade.

I still run 9-speed on one of my bikes and I don't worry about keeping extra parts around. The parts are still out there if you know where to look.

I still occasionally buy 7800 series DA parts on ebay when I see them. For 5600 I wouldn't bother as 6500 and 7800 are direct swaps as well as 6700.

Stocking up on parts is generally, in my experience, a losing game (financially speaking) but I still keep doing it from time to time, :). I still buy parts on a blow out if I can figure out a reason why I might need it one day but seriously, I think you spend less money by just buying as needed.

agree.No sense stocking up for at least the better part of a decade.thanks http://www.oksky.us/imiss/images/22.gif

upgrade. most of the stuff last a lifetime anyway.