Upgrading from Claris; What do I need?

[DanB7290]

I've been trying to weigh up either upgrading my current bike, or buying a new one. And seeing as I don't have the bank account for an S-Works Tarmac, I think I'll stick with upgrading.

I currently run a 2019 Specialized Allez. Completely stock, as it came out of the box when I got it, although the front derailleur will not move at all when trying to change gear and I'm not clever enough to fix it myself. My friends have always said that the Claris gears are the only weak point on my bike and I should look at putting 105 on it.

But what parts do I actually need to buy? Cassette, chain, front and rear derailleurs, chain rings, new gear cables. Anything else I've missed? And what would I be looking at money wise? I'd probably need someone to fit it for me, the last time I tried to do my own gears it went horrifically wrong!

[Bathroom_Security]

Nothing wrong with the Claris on my 2020 allez. Cant tell the difference between it and my 105 on my tarmac sl6. In fact I think its an excellent drivetrain and shift mechanism, only thing I really want from it is an extra gear or two. Have you tried cleaning it properly, removing the chain and using white spirit to clean it up, the gears up, and using a good quality lubricant? Wax based or a good oil, maybe white lighting clean or epic for example.

Spend some time leaning to adjust the derailleur. Its not difficult when you play with it and see how it works

I wouldnt bother wasting your money upgrading it.

[mie1972]

You need shifters too, as Claris is 8 speed whereas others are 9/10/11.

If you really want to upgrade then best to buy an entire group set. 105 11 speed is best bang for buck.

Alternately if you have the cycling bug, get a new bike with 105 and keep that one as winter bike.

[dontlookdown]

If you are going from 8-10/11 speed, don't you need a new wider freehub too? Either way it quickly gets quite involved and expensive. Fix the Claris and/or buy a bike with the group set you want already on it.

[dontlookdown]

If you are going from 8-10/11 speed, don't you need a new wider freehub too? Either way it quickly gets quite involved and expensive. Fix the Claris and/or buy a bike with the group set you want already on it.

Edited: oops sorry for the double post.

Edited by dontlookdown on Wednesday 25th November 08:43

[dontlookdown]

Or if you just want ro have a go, buy a second-hand 105 group set and fit that. Lots of helpful videos on YT but you will need some tools.

[emicen]

Pretty much everything.

I have Claris on my gravel bike and when looking for more gears, quite quickly came to realise a replacement bike would be cheaper and less faff.

I’m fairly confident in the current market and state of supply, selling on a used bike and picking up a replacement higher spec used bike would probably work out cheaper than buying a groupset and paying for it to be installed. That’s if you can find a groupset in stock and get a service slot at a bike shop.

In line with other comments here, give it a good service and see if you still feel the same. Whilst I can certainly feel the difference between its operation and the 105 on my road bike, I don’t think Claris is at all bad.

[dojo]

105 new is going to cost you £500, used on ebay £300.

To get someone to fit it for you is going to be £100 - maybe more.

You can prob £125-£175 for your Claris groupset if its not full working

So the best you can expect to net out at is £300 investment but I think that optimistic as if you buy used the person fitting will want to use new cables etc.

If you put that with the money you can sell your bike for you prob have a enough money to buy a better (lighter) bike with 105 fitted.

[Zigster]

I agree with everyone else. I can’t see upgrading to 105 is worth it.

A new Claris front derailleur will be less than £25 and I think you would only need some hex keys to fit it (so tools you probably already have).

Fix it and save your upgrade money for a whole new bike when you have enough and are sure you want to spend the cash on a bike.

[heronio]

I have a Boardman with Claris, my front derailleur wouldn't shift either. Turned to Youtube and found this video which was very helpful and got it moving.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZNG7g83lI-s

They have a great video for the rear derailleur too and how to index the gears, for smooth shifting.

Be prepared to spend a good hour+ working on it though, it's a hateful job but worth it in the end when you get it right.

[wobert]

Bathroom_Security said:

Nothing wrong with the Claris on my 2020 allez. Cant tell the difference between it and my 105 on my tarmac sl6. In fact I think its an excellent drivetrain and shift mechanism, only thing I really want from it is an extra gear or two. Have you tried cleaning it properly, removing the chain and using white spirit to clean it up the gears up, and using a good quality lubricant? Wax based or a good oil, maybe white lighting clean or epic for example.

Spend some time leaning to adjust the derailleur. Its not difficult when you play with it and see how it works

I wouldnt bother wasting your money upgrading it.

Please don’t follow the advice in bold. You will need a new chain if you do!

[towser44]

dojo said:

105 new is going to cost you £500, used on ebay £300.

To get someone to fit it for you is going to be £100 - maybe more.

You can prob £125-£175 for your Claris groupset if its not full working

So the best you can expect to net out at is £300 investment but I think that optimistic as if you buy used the person fitting will want to use new cables etc.

If you put that with the money you can sell your bike for you prob have a enough money to buy a better (lighter) bike with 105 fitted.

Ooof, new 105 has gone up in price! A year or so ago you could get 105 from Merlin for around £300-£310, it's £499 now for R7000 105. I got a brand new Carbon Frame Cube GTC with full Ultegra 11 speed 2 years ago for £800. Prices have gone mental this year.

I should add though, after spending some time on the Sora 9 speed on my 2011 Allez, the shifting on that is still good, so as above, I'd just spend a little time on the Claris making sure it's all working properly rather than upgrading the groupset on your bike.

[Bathroom_Security]

wobert said:

Please don’t follow the advice in bold. You will need a new chain if you do!

Don't be stupid

[wobert]

Bathroom_Security said:

wobert said:

Please don’t follow the advice in bold. You will need a new chain if you do!

Don't be stupid

White spirit is a solvent which will wash whatever grease is contained inside the chain out, leaving it devoid of lubrication and needing replacement.

Edited by wobert on Wednesday 25th November 20:24

[addey]

wobert said:

Bathroom_Security said:

wobert said:

Please don’t follow the advice in bold. You will need a new chain if you do!

Don't be stupid

White spirit is a solvent which will wash whatever grease is contained inside the chain out, leaving it devoid of lubrication and needing replacement.

Edited by wobert on Wednesday 25th November 20:24

Now if only you could buy some form of lubricant to reapply to the chain....

Back in March I stuck my chain in a tub of white spirit for a couple of days, gave it a good clean then rinsed and dried. 6000+ miles later and a weekly/fortnightly application of squirt wax lube and its absolutely fine Although it has been replaced today as part of a service and new powemeter/chainrings. I'll be doing the same thing to the new chain soon

[wobert]

addey said:

wobert said:

Bathroom_Security said:

wobert said:

Please don’t follow the advice in bold. You will need a new chain if you do!

Don't be stupid

White spirit is a solvent which will wash whatever grease is contained inside the chain out, leaving it devoid of lubrication and needing replacement.

Edited by wobert on Wednesday 25th November 20:24

Now if only you could buy some form of lubricant to reapply to the chain....

Back in March I stuck my chain in a tub of white spirit for a couple of days, gave it a good clean then rinsed and dried. 6000+ miles later and a weekly/fortnightly application of squirt wax lube and its absolutely fine Although it has been replaced today as part of a service and new powemeter/chainrings. I'll be doing the same thing to the new chain soon

The problem is, that when the chain is manufactured, grease is forced into the internal cavities within the rollers to lubricate the internals of the chain.

Soaking the chain in a solvent will dissolve that grease and wash it out, leaving it ‘dry’.

I’m not speaking from a point of complete ignorance, I’m only a qualified mechanical engineer with 30 years experience in engine (including chain-driven cam drive systems ), transmission / hydraulic design and engineering so what would I know....????

[Barchettaman]

Eh? I’ve often removed chains and soaked them in solvents to get them properly clean.

If you then dry them off AND soak them in an oil bath, they’re fine.

My experience: approx. 100,000 commuting and training miles over the last 20 years.

Chains are tough things. Whilst bike chains often have a hard life because of exposure to the elements etc, the loads put through them aren’t massive.

[Barchettaman]

To reply to the OP:

Don’t bother upgrading the components.

Check the rear derailleur hanger is in perfect alignment.

Remove and replace the cables and housing (brake AND shift) with a high quality set. Jagwire Road Pro would be my choice. Use proper bike cable cutters.

Dial everything in nicely.

Prepare to be astonished at the improvement in performance.

[sam.rog]

I strip brand new chains of that greasy waxy lube. All it does is create a grinding paste once dirt/dust get on it. You are left with the horrible black oil that stains everything.

Solvent ultrasonic bath to get all of it off, then a dip in the slow cooker with wax and some ptfe powder. Its cheaper than the stuff you buy, better at actually staying on and doesn’t make half the black stty mess.

Anyway back to the op. The alez is a decent frame and worth upgrading. Do the work yourself, plenty of videos on youtube. You will save a fortune in the long run plus the enjoyment of riding something you had a part in building.

[dojo]

addey said:

Now if only you could buy some form of lubricant to reapply to the chain....

Back in March I stuck my chain in a tub of white spirit for a couple of days, gave it a good clean then rinsed and dried. 6000+ miles later and a weekly/fortnightly application of squirt wax lube and its absolutely fine Although it has been replaced today as part of a service and new powemeter/chainrings. I'll be doing the same thing to the new chain soon

1000 miles a month a great going...

How you get your chain to last for 6k miles is beyond mine, mine are toast in less that 3k.