Which Groupset?

I work about 50 meters from there^ nice shop, its only just opened. More staff than customers at the moment.

Seen that place a few times passing through. Looked good from outside.
But I'm not really one to stop.
Nice to know there's a good bike shop about.

Yeah...it is a bit like that - I only heard about it Friday. None of them seem to know what they're doing in terms of selling a coffee but they were super helpful and knew a lot about the options sram/shimano/campag. What they did have was a solid selection. I'd done 25 miles taking in some hills from Cambridge on 49/17 so i was more than happy to stop before climbing back North out of the town again.

The best thing about the thumb shifters. Is shifting from the tops using your pinky fingers while climbing. Miss that.

The reason nobody buys SRAM is that as soon as the first finished picture of the bike is put online, someone comes along within minutes and says the rear derailleur housing is either too short or too long.

Hello all, I need to replace the big chainring on my venerable 2010 Allez Comp , and I was wondering if it's a case of just getting the latest, up to date 105 ring and chain?

Like these:

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/shimano-105-fc5750-10-speed-compact-chainrings

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/shimano-105-5701-10-speed-chain/rp-prod50457

Do I need to think about replacing the cassette/jockey wheels/small ring?

Thanks for any help.

Usually you need to replace the cassette and chain.

Chainring tend not to be necessary unless it's obviously worn out.

If the teeth of the chainring look very sharp, then that's a sign it may need changing.

If it look rounded, you don't need to change it;

Small ring don't need changing if you rarely use it.

Picked up my new roadbike yesterday, went for 105 11 speed as the jump to Ultegra was £500. Not as refined as Ultegra (obviously) but still impressive for the price, and love the shifting.

Would the 105 (5800) 11 speed chainset work fine using the rest of the 10 speed 5700 group?

Basically I'm stuck with 10 speed but prefer the look of the 11 speed chainset over the 10 speed one.

It will.

Thanks Ed

For more matchy matchy fun, you can get the new Tiagra 10spd shifter to match the rest;

thats not out for a while though. Is it?

The reason nobody buys SRAM is that as soon as the first finished picture of the bike is put online, someone comes along within minutes and says the rear derailleur housing is either too short or too long.

That's my third favourite hobby! Closely behind critiquing bartape wrapping and bird watching.

You know it's the right length when you get both 'too long' and 'too short' critiques.

I also like to add 'would look better if you slammed the stem'.

Cheers Ed, much appreciated.

Is there a telltale indicator that I need to change my cassette, or should I just have expected a bit of cable stretch and rewire with a new chain?

Is there a telltale indicator that I need to change my cassette...

Not really. There are clues - have a look at it, see if a fresh chain slides much on the most worn cog, how many chains have you been through since it was changed etc.

...or should I just have expected a bit of cable stretch and rewire with a new chain?

Is your cable is stretched and your chain is worn?

If you're not sure what you're looking at talk to your fave LBS.

Good point - was hoping to do it all myself without LBS help, that's all.

All I know it's been really shitty at changing gears recently.

Could be
Worn chain, worn cassette, worn chainrings, old or dirty cables, bent mech hanger, damaged mech, old mech with a lazy spring or a combination of some of these

Or incorrect cable tension.

That too

This is actually nice looking imo

Thanks for everybody's input - off to Cycle PS she goes!