Which Groupset?

11-34 cassette and change the outer ring for a 46t?

1. yeah the subcompact option
   
2. ..
   
3. Wolftooth Roadlink (or similar $2 aliexpress knockoff) + huuge cassette.
   

The praxis sub compact chainsets (Alba, I think the Zayante can also take the sub compact chainrings) look like a good option.

The bigger biggest cog gives it more room as all the spokes have started heading inwards towards the hub more, so mtb 11 speed overhangs the back of the freehub a bit instead of sitting flush like road stuff and needing more freehub length, 11 speed spacing is the same across the board. In practice some smaller big cogs could overhang like the mtb stuff and therefor fit on an 8/9/10 freehub, so some people machine them to fit on some hubs, and now some of the wider range cassettes fit out the box.

Good shout, yeah I did consider them. Shame they only go down to a 48/32, but they seem the cheapest/best crankset stand-alone option. It's annoying as I'm sure the new 105 crank will be decent but just lacking chainring options..

Definitely pleased about the 11-34, but you still get stuck with a 34-34 1:1 ratio, which isn't much use for actual bad decisions riding (e.g muddy byways/singletrack). Ideally with a 34-30 you'd be about 25/26 GI which seems pretty perfect for bikepacking and occasional off-road. I guess you might want 22 GI if you were actually touring with four panniers and the kitchen sink, but i have a touring bike for that!

I've looked into those as well - it seems to come down to 1.) massively expensive stand-alone crankset 2.) bodge a triple 3.) get some expensive chainrings OR adapters. My LBS warned me off Roadlink/Tanpan - apparently they incur a 'fiddle with the cable tension prior to every ride' penalty..

Shimano also have the Metrea crankset in 46/32, but it's not to everyone's (anyone's?) taste.

Had hoped this 105 groupset would have 1x and 46/30 crankset options or even a 36t cassette, anything to differentiate it from the groups above. Seems a bit of a let down there.

This. The zayante is excellent but it is quite spendy.

I have one of those £1 AliExpress Roadlinks. Works great but I have full length outers and friction shifting so can't comment on whether or not they mess with the indexing much. I can't imagine that it does assuming that everything is tightened down nicely.

You could always buy one and borrow a cassette/wheel - if it's no good it's not exactly a big outlay

Don't suppose you have a link do you?

Here.

Took a little while to get here and the bolt is aluminium (I would have preferred steel) but I can't argue with £1.08. If you have any specific questions or want some pictures or something I can help with that later on tonight.

Edit: also it's ugly. I'm sure the proper WolfTooth one is nicer but I'm poor and the bike is a POS anyway.

Just the 11-34t.

Great stuff. I have a set of ancient 7800(?) DA hubs that refuse to die.

The new derailleurs sit inboard a bit, like Shadow mechs.

7800 hubs for (literally) lyfe.

I have 10 year old ones I still haven't had to change the grease on as the seals are so good.

I'm waiting t for doval version of slightly oval used 46/30 for Shimano 4 armed cranks. I'll update once it arrived.

I'll be using them with 5800 or 4700 cranks, the new groups should be the same Bcd right?

^^ 13,000 wet and dry road miles and a few dozen cx races (pressure washers!) and they’re great.

I think I’ve adjusted them twice. No new grease. I’m a fan.

I think that seems to be the case - it's the crank arm rather than the BCD that looks different. Let me know how you get on! My preference would definitely be to order the whole thing and change the chainrings, but ideally not at wallet snapping cost..

This is the one I ordered
https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ebay.com%2Fulk%2Fitm%2F263554178305

Somewhere like Spa Cycles will sell you some Stronglight Zircals. They’re decent quality and available in four bolt. TA are good too.

Only as low as a 33t or something like that, right? I think 110bcd limits how small you can go. A quick google confirms that the sizing limits it down to a 33t minimum

You can get offset rings, like 30t mtb rings (104bcd)

Ah, would that fit the 105 crank?

Anyone seen any prices for the new Shimano 105? Wondering about going hydraulic on the disc brakes.

Bikerumor had euro prices - 890 euro (https://www.bikerumor.com/2018/04/03/shimano-105-r7000-road-group-trickles-tech-down-gets-new-105-disc-brakes/). Allowing for the usual 30% off, that makes 624 euros or 545 pounds or thereabouts.

Thanks, time to save some pennies.