Is it worth it?

[G3CWI]

I have a Triban 3. It's now a high mileage machine and some of the cheap components are showing their age. The chain rings are shot and the Sora shifters look pretty worn inside. The wheels are newish (replaced) as is the cassette. Pretty much everything else is original (not consumables of course).

I mentioned replacing the bike to one of our club experts and he clearly thought I was mad (he has had the same bike since he was 16 - although, like Trigger's broom, nothing remains of the original).

Should I just stick it on eBay and buy something else or is it actually worth replacing things like a complete groupset?

Comments and suggestions - especially flippant and/or profane, welcome.

 

[vickster]

See how much it would cost versus just buying the new 520 for example

 

[RoubaixCube]

Slap a 10speed Tiagra 4700 groupset on it and call it a day. If you want to spec higher and go for a 105 then thats up to you, but for a bike just to get the millage on then Tiagra parts are pretty durable.

Tiagra 4700 = around £224 or £180 on ebay *BRAND NEW* but from Taiwan
105 (11 speed) 5800 = around £300.
105 10 speed (5700) groupsets still go for stupid money on ebay unless you buy secondhand then its around £200'ish but theres not a huge lot of choice.

If you dont mind secondhand parts, just ebay for some complete groupsets. Its all down to how much you want to spend. The T3 has a decent frame and if its still good then why not just upgrade all the components?

 

[Alberto Balsam]

My first thought was that I'd just replace it. BUT as I didn't know what a Triban 3 is, I looked it up and it turns out there's a fair few for sale on Gumtree and some look in pretty good nick. One seller claims that his has only done about 10 miles... Might be worth a look at that option?

 

[mjr]

I would think it depends if you like the bike or want another spin of the roulette. And I'm a bit out of touch, so can someone explain why you'd replace the whole groupset instead of just the worn bits?

 

[RoubaixCube]

I would think it depends if you like the bike or want another spin of the roulette. And I'm a bit out of touch, so can someone explain why you'd replace the whole groupset instead of just the worn bits?

Jumping from 9 to 11 speed etc etc. There's also a lot of tech that has slowly trickled down from the top to the middle tiers that the middle tiers benefit greatly from, Better designs, build quality or components used to build them, weight also plays a big factor and the higher up the hierarchy you go, the lighter the hardware should get apart from having smoother/better shifting etc etc -

 

[mjr]

Jumping from 9 to 11 speed etc etc.

Oh yes, they change spacing above 9 speed so, at best, the eyewateringly expensive shifters will be incompatible with other speed cassettes, unlike when you could use a 8 speed shifter on a 6 speed drivetrain until you upgraded it. I guess pro racing won't care as they run on the upgrade treadmill. Another way that letting racing develop tech serves consumers ill

Me, I still think shifters are £30 top and don't care how many speeds there are

I can see why you'd upgrade but few reasons to upgrade all at once.

What's the etc etc?

 

[biggs682]

It cant owe you much , you are obviously happy and comfy with it

if you upgrade it you wont get your money back thats for sure

i would be tempted to keep an eye out for either a newer version of same bike as per @vickster or just treat yourself to a totally different bike and make

 

[G3CWI]

Thanks all. Some great ideas there for me to think about.