98koukile

I picked up a bike that I can use when the roads are covered with salt and dirt and all the other stuff I never want to introduce my nice bike to. It's an Allez with Sora 8 speed and it was practically free. I'm not sure if it's a me issue or if I'm doing something wrong but I just can't use the thumb levers correctly. The reach is awkward and really it's more annoying than anything else. I have a few extra parts laying around that could make it a pretty nice beater... better brakes, seat, bars, etc.
My Supersix has 105 on it and I'm entertaining the idea of swapping that onto the Allez and upgrading to Force 22. I have rs80s that won't be compatible so I was thinking of picking up some vuelta corsa lites and that would put this whole venture at roughly $600. I could sell the rs80s and keep cheap wheels on the rain bike for some cash back but my main worry is that I'm just taking my rain bike and making it too decent to beat on. Is there a cheap solution to my problem that I'm missing? In my head if I'm going to spend a few hundred regardless it makes sense to upgrade both with one purchase but I tend to throw more money at things than needed. What do you guys think is the best solution to this?

cale

It's always something almost free that makes life expensive. Ever tried dating?

dtrain

I just trashed a frameset and will be liquidating quite a bit of lightly used (or NOS) 9 speed stuff. Shifters, cassettes, etc. Don't spend too much if you don't have the right wheels.

rpenmanparker 

IMO a beater is not supposed to be really trashy, just something you can live with getting crapped on. Your plan sounds like a good one. Think about it this way: You aren't upgrading your Allez to benefit the beater, but rather to benefit the Allez. Keep that separate in your head. Then the upgrade of the beater comes for free. Is that something to worry about in the rain? Not so much.

velociraptor

I always buy upgrades for my 'nice' bike, and then move the replaced components downstream to 'upgrade' my rain/winter bike.

This way, both bikes get upgraded in one purchase. Maximum bang for the buck.

It seems like a lot of guys I know do the same thing.

Bandera

Does the frame have threaded fittings and clearance for full fenders?
If not it's not a suitable "rain bike": Pass.

There is no such thing as a Free Kitten.

-Bandera

evrythngsgngrn

What I want to know is where I can get this deal... Force 22 and wheels for $600? Sign me up.

velociraptor

You can fit fenders and/or mud guards to the Allez frame.

Clearance is tight, but it has been done.

And you can keep your 'free kitten'. I'm a dog guy.

evrythngsgngrn

" rain bike" doesn't mean "keep road grime off of you" to everyone.

velociraptor

So true... And I'm not convinced that fenders make any meaningful difference in the rain anyway. At least not IMHO.

98koukile

I was honestly not expecting a positive response haha, maybe I've been hanging around women too long. The only reason it's so cheap is because of the parts I already have on my bike, I only need the brifters and derailleurs. I think I'm going to jump on this as I've been looking at Force for my Dale for quite some time (would have spent $1000 more to get it initially with the deal I got). Thanks for the input guys.

As for fenders many people have had luck with these... AND they have a brush on the brake track.
Roadracer mk2

K.Katso

I pretty much agree. It rains a lot where I live and almost nobody bothers to put them on their bikes.

For keeping the muddy water from spraying off of your wheel onto your back, you can use something like this:

Ass Saver Original | Ass Savers

It helps, but doesn't completely solve the problem. It's a lot better than full fenders IMO, and easier to remove.

cale

Why don't you just replace the broken Sora 8 shifter or is that too simple?

jrossbeck

I have an older Allez with 8 speed Sora as a "N+1". When tuned, they aren't bad at all. The thumb button takes getting used to, but you gotta ask yourself how much do you need to shift from the drops in poor weather?

If you really want a better set up on your main bike, than go for it. But at that point you have the choice to either recoup a few hundred by selling off your 105, or using it to upgrade a bike for rain. That is your choice. Good luck either way.

98koukile

The sora on the bike currently isn't broken, I just don't like fumbling with the lever. I could sell the 105 to recoup the costs but for what it's going for online right now it's probably better to re-purpose it. From what some people have said it seems like that's a small price to pay for Force 22 and a new wheelset, I could get 5800 for $120 less but the new Sram hoods are really the biggest draw for me along with the weight savings to a very small degree.

Bandera

Good plan, a "rain bike" w/o mudguards is an oxymoron in my experience.
It would be a "training bike", useful but not really equipped well for operating specifically on soaking wet roads.

When riding a tight paceline in the rain full fenders keep the mudguard equipped rider from getting soaked with the ATF, oil and other toxic road spooge as well from soaking the rider on his wheel in a rooster tail of nasty crud. One can limit misery and maintenance with a bit of planning, QR mudguards allow on/of flexibility as required.

-Bandera

cale

IMHO, your writing suggests a stronger interest in your main bike than the rain bike. All this sell and recoup has very little to do with having a perfectly good bike to trash.

Leinster

Have you seen the price of new 11 speed 105 online? You won't get more than pocket money for old stuff. You're as well off keeping it as spares.

98koukile

Oh I absolutely have a stronger interest in upgrading my main bike, I'm just curious if it makes sense to then upgrade my rain bike.

My thoughts exactly, I might get $175 or so back but the benefit to me using them is much more. The only thing that may make sense to sell are the rs80s while they still have some resale. They're the most comfortable rims I've ever ridden but I'm not sure I'd subject them to rain duty.

jrossbeck

After reading all this, I think you're on the right track. New stuff for the main bike, 105 on the Allez and sell off the rs80s. Happy camper all around.

rpenmanparker 

You are way overthinking this. Your old stuff is worth more to you than anyone else. If you sell either the 105 stuff or the RS80 wheels, you will get bupkis, i.e. next to nothing. Whats wrong with the wheels on a rain bike? They may be comfortable, but wheels are supposed to be comfortable. Why would you let someone else enjoy them for peanuts? Just do it!

Dave Cutter

My regular bike became the rain bike.... the same day I brought home the new bike.