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Low or top end kit for a bike that's going to have a tough life?
Ridden all year, but mainly Autumn to Spring. Big miles over winter. stuck in vans and carried on racks. Sat outside club rooms with bikes stacked on top of it. to be ridden in rain/snow and God knows what.
I've ordered a Bob Jackson for a 'riding' bike. I was going to put Ultegra on it, but getting through their wheelset, casstte and chains within six months.
I'm now thinking Tiagra 9 speed. Weights not an issue so rule that out. But I've noticed that the guys that bought Tiagra equipped training bikes years ago are commenting on how the stuffs lasting and not requiring fettling.
even if it lasts the same time it will be cheaper to buy.
personally, id rather wear out/break a cheaper component than something top end.
i have tiagra sti units on my road bike, they are functionally perfect.
i would just go for mid range stuff, The cheap stuff can be plasticky, and seals can be a little lacking. The expensive stuff whilst nice, is just silly money now.
If it was me building a bike i would use Veloce, which i guess is now bottom of the range because of Campags reorganisation. But for Shimano i would say 105 and maybe stretch to Ultegra for the shifters which do take alot of abuse.
I did have a Tiagra equipped training bike for a year, I found it perfectly acceptable for training and long rides. The STIs seemed okay, but the calipers were deffinately sticky compared to 105 and up.
Tiagra on the CX I have for commuting year round. Shifters have been back twice under warranty to correct a know problem, apart from that all going strong - replaced jockey wheels and rims about 15 months in, replaced rings and cassette after more than 2 years (average 40 miles a week)
I've got 105 on my CX and it seems pretty robust. Have been looking at building a pure road bike if I can ever workout what frame I want. And i have been looking at the mid range stuff especially campag stuff as I've heard their levers are better for smaller hands. While the top end stuff is nice and light, for what riding I will be doing which is just fitness not racing saving those few extra grams just isn't worth the extra money for me.
Personally I would go for 105. Seems to have 95% of the benefits of the higher groups at a much lower cost.