my bike is a secondhand aluminum trek 1000, with 8-speed shimano 105 components. when i try to shift to a bigger cog (smaller gear), it automatically shifts 2, resulting in a down 2, up 1 pattern whenever i shift down.
i am pretty damn penniless (hooray for college). i definitely need to buy new tires, new handlebar tape, and i’ll almost definitely need a new chain anyway.
how far “up” should i upgrade? i don’t think i’ll need 10-speed. will the difference between 105 and ultegra be noticeable? or should i go all the way to 9-speed da?
or should i sell my bike, stop shaving my legs, learn to sit on a couch and get fat?
IMO, there’s no reason properly maintained 105 components should give you consistent shifting problems. It may be as simple as rear deraileur adjustment. Or, it might be time for a new chain and cassette.
However, if you’re just using it as an excuse to upgrade (nothing wrong with that), consider whether or not its the best improvement you could make to that bike, vs. saving for a newer one with all new components.
Ultegra 9 speed is nice. Dura Ace is better. I don’t yet have 10 speed on my bikes but would like to. I’ll probably wait till I get a new bike to go to 10 speed.
I still get my butt kicked regularly by someone riding on a 7 speed freewheel.
I’m trying to imagine what I’d do if I were in your shoes. I think I’d just correct the drivetrain problems by taking it to a mechanic and putting my upgrade concerns into a new bike at some point down the road.
Priority A - You should start upgrading some essencial parts of your bike such as both derailleurs and gear shifters. If you have 105 don’t upgrade them to ultegra, spend some extra bucks and go for dura-ace.
Priority B - If you want to upgrade some more… go for the DA (if you wanna stick with shimano) bottom bracket and crank arms. You can also look for some carbon cranks (like FSA) but that will hit your wallet a little harder.
Priority C - Out of the drive train and into the rest of the bike… to save some weight you may also look for a lighter seat post (carbon ones are really confy), a seat (Selle Italia’s SLR is really sweetttt) and a Handlebar.
Brakes aren’t really a priority cause the shimano group, from 105 to DA is all the same, it would only save you like 50gr or so it isn’t worth it.
Ohh… and yeah… you should replace your chain every once in a while… and cassete too.
As a fellow broke college student I have to say if your compontents are in good condition, just not working take a good look at adjusting them. If they are in poor shape I would just replace them with new 105 components. A new cassette, chain, and rear derailleur should work perfect.
Then buy a six-pack and put the rest of the money you saved away to save for a new bike (upgrading the most important things like frame and wheels) come spring.