upgrade

[kips]

hi was wondering would it be worth upgrading a gaint scr3 alu bike with new wheels groupset ect? its in pretty good nick
or would i be better off buying a new bike, was looking at cubes but dont know ,alu or carbon, triple or
compact chainset, i am 6foot2 and 16 stone, thanks for any help

 

[Fab Foodie]

Hi kips, welcome!

Yes is the simple answer unless you have quite a budget to burn!
The SCR is basically a good bike, nice frame, rides well early ones certainly take full guards and a rack for all-year round use and long-distance riding.
Which version SCR 3 is it and which groupset does it have?
Can you post an image.
If it fits you well and you like it then wheel and tyre upgrades are certainly worthwhile.
Drivetrain upgrades are really only worth it when old stuff wears out, there is far much less bang for your buck.

Lighter stiffer semi-aero wheels and good light tyres will improve the feel, handling and ride of your bike compared to the standard wheel tyre combo which could be kept for winter use.

My only concern might be your weight on some of the lighter low-spoke wheels.

For my 13.5 stone bulk on my TCR I'd look at:

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/p/cycle/7/Easton_EA50_SL_Road_Bike_Wheelset/5360036597/

Or consider some good handbuilts from say Pete Matthews or Hewitts like Mavic Open Pro rims on 105 hubs, stronger and more readily repaired too.

Tyres, I'd look at Michelin Pro Race 3, very light, very fast rolling,hugely grippy and a nice ride. The down side? They're expensive and wear faster and you may get a few more P*nctures, but it's a price you may be prepared to pay! I certainly do.

The other thing I would do is change your front brake blocks to Koolstop Salmon and realise a much better stopping experience!

 

[kips]

hi thanks for your help, its the 2007/2008 model with sora groupset alex wheelset and kenda kontender tires.
the brakes are black non brand and the finshing kit is gaint alu inhouse

 

[Fab Foodie]

hi thanks for your help, its the 2007/2008 model with sora groupset alex wheelset and kenda kontender tires.
the brakes are black non brand and the finshing kit is gaint alu inhouse

Like this?
http://www.giant-bic...road/124/14226/
The frame quality is very good.

My cycling buddy has the 2.0 version, very nice ride it is too.
The upgrades sound expensive, approx £300, but a significantly better bike's gonna cost 2 to 3 times that and may not have a better wheel and tyre set.

 

[palinurus]

I've got an ageing Spesh Allez, odd mix of Sora, Tiagra, 105 and Ultegra parts on it where bits have been upgraded. Wheels made the biggest difference though- Open Pro/ 105 hubs- relatively cheap option but very much better than the Alex rims on unbranded hubs that came with it.

Next best upgrade was Ultegra brake callipers and decent brake pads (Ashima road pads)

Although it was originally quite a cheap bike I really like it. It looks like shoot, but it feels great and goes great. I've decided to keep it until it breaks.

 

[kips]

thanks guys for yere help, i really like the frame on this bike so i think im going to upgrade the wheels and bits of
the groupset, one question tough, the break callipers are long reach, would standard 105 or ultegra callipers fit???
thanks again kips

 

[HJ]

Having just carried out an extensive bike rebuild I have found you can easily spend as much as you would on a new bike (but not one at the spec you have just built), so it isn't always a cheep option. However, the bike you end up with can be a bike ideally fitted to your needs, and that is something which is very hard to find off the peg. So I would say do it...

 

[Fab Foodie]

Hi Kips

Something I forgot the other night regarding wheel upgrades is that you need to check the wheel is suitable for 8 speed casettes.
Regarding brake calipers, I don't know the answer, but try the change to Koolstops Salmon first on the front brakes in particular, you'll be amazed at the difference.

 

[palinurus]

As far as I know "10 speed" Shimano hubs fit 8, 9 and 10 speed- I had a couple of sets of 105 hubbed wheels built a couple of years ago and I use one set with 8 speed, the other with 9. I think an additional spacer is required for 10 speed because the cassette is a tad narrower than 8 or 9.

I bought some Shimano long-reach callipers a couple of years back- they were pretty good value, can't remember what they were though. Hopefully I'll remember later when I get home and see if I can look them up. They weren't from the regular groupset types (Ultegra, 105 etc).

Probably these, I've sold the bike now so I can't check. Wiggle also have some cheaper long drop callipers by Shimano and some by Miche, don't know what they are like.