I have a Specialized Allez, entry level bike with Tiagra and Sora components. I have limited budget. Which component should I upgrade to 105 first? Thanks

anything broken?

not yet. My biggest concern is climbing, I don't want to apply too much pressure while changing gears, not sure if my components can handle it. That split second slows me down alot.

My bike is entry level as well, Sora components and I have no trouble at all shifting while climbing. If you bought your bike from an LBS I would assume they would cover any parts that break under normal use, and shifting while climbing surely fits under that category.

shift before you need the gear

Not knowing exactly which components are which, there may be a compatability issue if you try to upgrade. I havent paid much attention recently but I think 105 is 10 speed now and the others are still 9. Correct me if I'm wrong.

Even if there is no compatability issues, I would suggest saving your limited budget for a while. Put a little aside here and there and eventually upgrade your bike. Not that you need to ever upgrade but you may want to.

Not knowing exactly which components are which, there may be a compatability issue if you try to upgrade. I havent paid much attention recently but I think 105 is 10 speed now and the others are still 9. Correct me if I'm wrong.

Even if there is no compatability issues, I would suggest saving your limited budget for a while. Put a little aside here and there and eventually upgrade your bike. Not that you need to ever upgrade but you may want to.

+1

Upgrading your legs to 105 level is free. And don't listen to those people telling you centaur legs are better :wink5:

If you really want to replace something, i would go to weight weenies and find out which component you have weighs the most compared to its replacement option in 105 or ultegra. Pick the one with the biggest delta. Nothing should break regardless of sora, tiagra or 105.

Start with the front derailler.

I have a Tiagra/Sora specced Allez too and the 8speed drivetrain feels extremely solid shifting under strain. Save your money and buy a new bike. In fact i feel more confident shifting uphill on the 8spd than my Ultegra 10spd bike.

thanks

I have a Specialized Allez, entry level bike with Tiagra and Sora components. I have limited budget. Which component should I upgrade to 105 first? Thanks


Your components will work fine, but you might just have to adjust them a little more than some other groupsets.

However, I upgraded a Trek 1000 with a full Ultegra gruppo. Some may call it overkill, but it feels like a completely different (and better) bike than when I bought it.

Are you comfortable on the frame you have now. If not, save your money for a new bike. If you like the fit and finish of the fram then you may just want to upgrade the parts over time.

I would vote that you stay with the bike you have now the way it is you have no current problems with it. Put the money you would now spend on upgrading ($250-$700?) into a Certificate of Deposit and just keep researching and test riding bikes. Your next bike should be in the $2,00-$2,500 range at least and come with 105 or Ultegra on the bike.

Then you put flat pedals on your current steed for social rides, rides with kids, rides to the store, rides you're not going to put lycra on for.

Keep putting money into the CD every time it renews and you will have a much better bike than if you upgraded your current one.

Patience, planning, and something else (I don't remember what) persistence?