Upgrading drivetrain on cheap turbo bike
Discussion
I‘m thinking of getting a dedicated turbo bike rather than swapping my tri bike off and on. In Switzerland where I live it‘s nearly impossible to get any kind of cheap bike with decent components. I‘ve got an 11 speed 105 cassette on the trainer, so I was thinking of buying something like this
https://www.decathlon.co.uk/p/rc-100-road-bike-gre...
And upgrading the drivetrain to 105.
Is there anything stopping me doing this and would I need anything other than front and rear derailleur, crankset, shifters and chain? Oh and is it within the ability of a mechanical numpty? The bike will never go near a road, so no need for brakes etc.
https://www.decathlon.co.uk/p/rc-100-road-bike-gre...
And upgrading the drivetrain to 105.
Is there anything stopping me doing this and would I need anything other than front and rear derailleur, crankset, shifters and chain? Oh and is it within the ability of a mechanical numpty? The bike will never go near a road, so no need for brakes etc.
Would it not be cheaper / easier to find a used bike with 105 on it and just bung that on the turbo?
You will most likely also need to replace the bottom bracket, alongside the chainrings, cassette, shifters (probably new cables) and both derailleurs.
Edit: Decathlon do the triban 520 with 105 on it for £849. A Shimano 105 groupset costs £609. You'll get a bit back by selling the brakes though.
You will most likely also need to replace the bottom bracket, alongside the chainrings, cassette, shifters (probably new cables) and both derailleurs.
Edit: Decathlon do the triban 520 with 105 on it for £849. A Shimano 105 groupset costs £609. You'll get a bit back by selling the brakes though.
Edited by JayRidesBikes on Saturday 24th July 20:12
JayRidesBikes said:
Would it not be cheaper / easier to find a used bike with 105 on it and just bung that on the turbo?
You will most likely also need to replace the bottom bracket, alongside the chainrings, cassette, shifters (probably new cables) and both derailleurs.
Edit: Decathlon do the triban 520 with 105 on it for £849. A Shimano 105 groupset costs £609. You'll get a bit back by selling the brakes though.
You‘d think getting a second hand bike would be better, but I‘ve been looking off and on for months and can‘t find anything.You will most likely also need to replace the bottom bracket, alongside the chainrings, cassette, shifters (probably new cables) and both derailleurs.
Edit: Decathlon do the triban 520 with 105 on it for £849. A Shimano 105 groupset costs £609. You'll get a bit back by selling the brakes though.
Edited by JayRidesBikes on Saturday 24th July 20:12
I don‘t need the cassette as my Tacx Neo already has one. I can get a 105 groupset for £420 from Wiggle, but think it would be cheaper to buy the components separately rather than buy the whole lot and part it up (which is more hassle than it‘s worth tbh). The Triban 520 is an interesting shout though. Would need an adaptor for the through axle though, so starts getting quite a bit more expensive vs. the original plan
eyebeebe said:
I‘m thinking of getting a dedicated turbo bike rather than swapping my tri bike off and on. In Switzerland where I live it‘s nearly impossible to get any kind of cheap bike with decent components. I‘ve got an 11 speed 105 cassette on the trainer, so I was thinking of buying something like this
https://www.decathlon.co.uk/p/rc-100-road-bike-gre...
And upgrading the drivetrain to 105.
Is there anything stopping me doing this and would I need anything other than front and rear derailleur, crankset, shifters and chain? Oh and is it within the ability of a mechanical numpty? The bike will never go near a road, so no need for brakes etc.
Surely it will be much cheaper to change the cassette? Could even take the one off the bike.https://www.decathlon.co.uk/p/rc-100-road-bike-gre...
And upgrading the drivetrain to 105.
Is there anything stopping me doing this and would I need anything other than front and rear derailleur, crankset, shifters and chain? Oh and is it within the ability of a mechanical numpty? The bike will never go near a road, so no need for brakes etc.
This is a completely mad thing to even consider doing.
It would make infinitely more sense to buy the RC120 instead and swap its 8-speed cassette for the 11-speed cassette on your trainer.
You’ll need a 1.8mm spacer under the 8-speed cassette, as it’s too narrow for the 11-speed free hub on the turbo.
If your 11-speed cassette is loose you can use one of its sprocket spacers.
Good luck.
It would make infinitely more sense to buy the RC120 instead and swap its 8-speed cassette for the 11-speed cassette on your trainer.
You’ll need a 1.8mm spacer under the 8-speed cassette, as it’s too narrow for the 11-speed free hub on the turbo.
If your 11-speed cassette is loose you can use one of its sprocket spacers.
Good luck.
Thanks for the wise words even if it‘s not exactly what I was looking for 
A friend had put this idea in my head when we were out riding yesterday, although he was thinking of going for a di2 setup!
In the cold light of day, I‘ve realised that I could just get a thru axle adaptor for my cyclocross bike, which already has an 11spd 105 groupset. I‘d forgotten about that option, as I don‘t think the adaptor existed or was in stock anywhere when I bought the Neo.
Obviously, this is going to be the much more expensive option, as I‘ll need another non-tri road bike if the cc is going to be on the trainer
A friend had put this idea in my head when we were out riding yesterday, although he was thinking of going for a di2 setup!
In the cold light of day, I‘ve realised that I could just get a thru axle adaptor for my cyclocross bike, which already has an 11spd 105 groupset. I‘d forgotten about that option, as I don‘t think the adaptor existed or was in stock anywhere when I bought the Neo.
Obviously, this is going to be the much more expensive option, as I‘ll need another non-tri road bike if the cc is going to be on the trainer
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