deeveeance

This is a long time coming but I've been upgrading my bike, a 1994 Bianchi Eros, and I think I've hit a point of no return. I have little experience with new road bikes since I have stayed with steel-frames since I was 12, and my first bike was a 57cm Trek 400, the Bianchi being my second bike. Total. This one is currently running Shimano RX-100 groupset at 7 x 3 speeds.

Reason for upgrade is because I broke my hand/arm a few years back and its getting to be a pain to keep going back down, even when riding for leisure. That AND I got a nice bonus from work that I am splitting between my gaming computer, and bike.

I need help with deciding what to do:

* Bring new life to the Bianchi and get a new 10 speed grouppo (Ultegra/105) with either STI shifters or Gevenalle CX2's and cable stops to upgrade the Bianchi... It would save me a good chunk of change and leave my bike feeling new. Also thinking of getting a Quill-Threadless adapter and get a new stem/handlebar... So recommendations all throughout. THIS BIKE HAS SENTIMENTAL value, as it was build up by a late friend of mine and myself, and I would like to keep on using it, so I can DEFINITELY justify spending more money on it.

OR

* Get a new bike within an $1000-ish range that has all of the things I would like, and leave my Bianchi untouched for leisure rides... Willing to spend a bit more if definitely worth it, but bang-for-my-buck is the way to go, as a college student.


For further detail, I am looking for brifters (tired of downtube) and a lighter overall ride, for the SF Bay area terrain... I am generally scared of Carbon- being 6'5", over 240 pounds and them being expensive does not sound like a good mix.

Thanks for any and all recommendations, and excuse the wall of text!

Deiph

I think you'll definitely love a new(er) bike. For $1K, you can get a very good, brand new road bike that you'll love. And the great thing is that you'll still have your (now) vintage bike to ride when you want.

Personally, I really enjoy having two completely different bikes at my disposal.

jsigone

generally a $1000ish roadie wouldn't be 10speed...... and near 105 levels. Would need $1500 to get 105's on a alum bike and 2k if carbon is your lust.

2 options
go upgrade & get a nice ultegra group plus $200-250 wheelset for the grand (11spd hubs).
New 2014 Shimano Ultegra 6800 9 Piece 11 Speed Grey Group Set Fully Customizable | eBay

Or go 105 grouppo for $500 and a $500-600 wheelset.
New 2014 Shimano 105 5700 8 PC Group Groupset w Cables Housing | eBay

Bars are a personal thing, but I like 3T stuff, they run about $90 for their alum bars.

rms13

You have a nice bike. $1000 new is going to buy you a entry level road bike with Sora/Tiagra. $1000 used may get you a lightly used newer bike with 105 or Ultegra (or SRAM or Campy) components.

I had a bike with CX2 back when the brand was called Retroshift. They are nice for what they are but I'd rather have STI levers. The CX2 is for a double chain ring so you would need to get a new crankset and probably front deraileur or get the Audax model shifters and use friction shifting.

It's going to be hard to find 7 speed sti levers. If you are patient you can probably get a 105 group for $250 on ebay used or you can buy new for $425-500. Then figure $150 if you plan on having a shop do all the work for you.

rms13

And there is always BD and Nashbar

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deeveeance

Generally, I was hoping to upgrade everything around the STI shifters... So 7 speed STI would be out of the question. 10 speed STI, cassete, derailleur and if I can't find a 10 x 3, I'll get a compact crank and go 10 x 2.


Was hoping to go used since new ones are looking daunting. I'm liking the looks of a CAAD 10 with Shimano 105's, but not liking the $1600+ price tag.

deeveeance

I'm starting to lean towards another bike too... Just the money issue right now. I guess I can wait a while and save+ scour Craigslist/LBS for some wondrous deal

rms13

Another consideration is that the rear drop outs of your bike might not be big enough for 10 speed cassette. You may also need new wheels for a 10 speed so price keeps going up.

I have a CAAD9 and I love it. There are CAAD9 on my local CL for as low as $550 right now. I have seen CAAD10 with 105 go for under $1000 used so if you are patient you can probably find something. check ebay too

Pakiwi

I have to say I like having two bikes. A classic Steel and a Carbon bike that I built up from parts. The days I just want to take it easy I take the Cello Europa Steel. It does ride very nice. When I am out to push the hills or miles I ride the Jamis. It also gives me the options that I can move the parts over to the Steel and get newer ones for the Jamis.
Allan

DXchulo

Microshift R9 Double 9 Speed Group Set:Amazon:Sports & Outdoors

That's a good start. It's not state of the art, but it is a definite update over what you have. That leaves a little more wiggle room on the other stuff you need.

goenrdoug

really tough call, but these shifters might do the trick. They're not Ultegra/105, by any means, but they'll help your downtube/arm pain situation. Not sure if they support a triple, though: https://www.amazon.com/Shimano-ST-A07.../dp/B007Q4MM1I

Leinster

Check the rear spacing on your Bianchi if you decide to upgrade it to 10spd. I believe 7spd was the last generation of 126mm rear spacing, and all 8spd and up wheels are 130mm. Steel shouldn't present a big problem to realign, but I had a disaster with an old Cannondale frame.

My CAAD10 5 cost $1100 (+tax) brand new on closeout from REI in Berkeley, less than a year ago, so don't give up on the idea of a new bike. Deals are out there.

merlinextraligh

As for wheel spacing cold setting a steel frame from 126mm to 130mm isn't a problem.

But it's rarely cost effective to upgrade an old mid level frame.

If your budget is $1000, I'd sell the Bianchi, put the several hundred dollars you get from it with the $1000, and you'll be able to afford a very nice newe bike in the $1300-1500 range.

bonz50

search for last year models and $1000 can get you a nice bike with a 105 mix of components, might not be a CAAD10, but surely the Trek or Giant can be had as a leftover in that range.

for example, '12 Trek 2.1 (various sizes) $887 Trek 2.1 C - Village Cycle Center - Chicago's Best Bike Shop, The Bike Experts for Bicycle Sales and Service

tom25

I run the A070 shifters on my trek 660, and they work real nice with 7speed tri color. Shifting from the drops is difficult though.

With your budget I would go with a new ten speed Tiagra group for about $380 from Ribble and then a sweet wheelset of your choice $350-600.

natzoo

I don't get why people are saying you cannot get a 105 bike for $1000. Totally not true.

Diamondback Century 2 Road Bike 2014 > Complete Bikes > Road Bikes | Jenson USA

This bike goes on sale to $800. That is when I bought mine.

Judging by your biachi, you are probably 6'2+, so you should take a good look at the geometry. I got the diamondback because the headtube length is 1in taller than most other bikes that size. For someone your height, this will be a big difference.

If you like your bike, I would just leave it. It will not really be the same bike when you upgrade it. You start to lose that old feeling and your bike just becomes a fraken-bike.

Personally, I would get one of the older 9s campagnolo groupsets. It would look great on your bike. New 10s shifters are much larger and the bulk does not look good with the slim tubes of a vintage bike. Plus, goes with the Italian theme. Purely opinion though, shimano 105 5700 will preform and feel better.