Which Groupset?

The hood shape on Di2 is a hundred times better than old Shimano. Still not quite as nice in my stubby hands as Campag. But if I was building a new road bike. It would be definitly be on the short list.

I keep looking at Athena EPS. The price compared to What I'd get for my 2011 SR bits, extra weight, and outright ugliness, is a killer though.

I'd wait a year for Campag EPS- when the internal/seatpost battery and brain unit comes out it'll make it a competitor.

At the moment you have to zip-tie a unit that looks like an old Kodak film camera to your downtube.

Is it a upgrade from 2011 SR though?
How much would the net cost be, after selling the replaced SR bits?

The numbers just dont add up at the moment.

It's a TT bike so no idea about hoods.

The hood shape on Di2 is a hundred times better than old Shimano.

And much better design too, got the same reach adjustment as SRAM instead of those crap shim.

AFAIK there's no reach adjustment with Campagnolo shifter is there?

Are the Shimano shifter shims the sort of thing shops would have spare? Or do they just chuck them?

I've often wondered about trying to get some of the bigger(?) ones for my 6700 to bring the levers closer to the bars.

Are the Shimano shifter shims the sort of thing shops would have spare? Or do they just chuck them?

It come with the bicycle/shifters, but we tend to put them in the shop as spare (since the majority of customer never need them), if a customer asked for a shim, we'll give it to them.

Your thoughts please...

I need to replace the running gear on my bike. The STIs are worn out and sloppy, the cassette and chain are due a change, and the chainrings are over 10 years old, so as a minimum I’ll be looking to replace those bits. Budget-wise, I don’t really want to spend more than £300ish.
The bike’s a Bob Jackson Audax, currently running 8spd Sora (shifters/12-23 cassette) with 9/10spd compatible mechs (Ultegra r/Tiagra f) and an old MTB chainset (46/36/24 rings). This gives me nice close ratios and plenty of low gear options. Wheels are Open Pros on 105 hubs (8-10spd).
The low gears are pretty vital as (1) I live in Sheffield where there a very few flat routes, and (2) I’m pulling Master Landslide in a child trailer and he’s not showing any signs of getting any lighter.
I never really feel the need for any more gears at the top end.

My options seem to be as follows:
1) I’ve been given a 9spd Ultegra triple chainset, Octalink bottom bracket and 9spd cassette. This would mean getting a new chain, and some 9spd shifters. Pro seems to be this will be relatively cheap, cons include losing a gear at the bottom of my range, and quandaries over which shifters to go for (2300/Sora, or try to find some NOS or similar from one of the higher ranges).
2) Buy a whole new 10spd Shimano gruppo, probably either Tiagra or 105 (though the latter would be stretching my budget a bit). Pros: Ooh, shiny and new! Upgrade to 10 spd (with what looks like a decent degree of future-proofing), outboard bearings. Cons: Higher cost, not the most beautiful of components.
3) Get a second-hand 10spd Chorus gruppo from a friend. I’d previously been put off switching to Campag by the need to replace my wheels as well, but he’ll sell me those too (Open Pros again). Pros: Classic aesthetics, not too pricey. Cons: Chainset is a non-matching Centaur triple in gunmetal grey (rather than the polished silver of the rest of the group), square taper BB, I’ve never ridden Campag before (but ride on the hoods a lot, and like the thumbshift button on Sora, so doubt that’ll be much of an issue).

Will modern Tiagra be better than what I’m used too? Are outboard bearings really that much better? Any thing else I should consider?

10 speed chorus is fucking ace. Seriously.

I have 10spd Chorus on my winter Canyon, and 10spd SRAM Red on my BMC. I hate to admit it, but I much prefer the Chorus - rear shifting and braking is far better.

Sora 3500 shifter would be a worthy replacement which will work with the 9 speed stuff you were given;

http://www.evanscycles.com/products/shimano/sora-3500-2013-9-speed-sti-road-levers-triple-ec041949?utm_source=froogle&utm_medium=froogle&utm_campaign=froogle&utm_content=mkwid__pcrid_17321847296_kword__match__plid_

While 3500 shifters are no mean fantastic, they're a massive improvement over the original thumb shifter version.

10 speed chorus is fucking ace. Seriously.

I have 10spd Chorus on my winter Canyon, and 10spd SRAM Red on my BMC. I hate to admit it, but I much prefer the Chorus - rear shifting and braking is far better.
Not sure what model year it is. It was originally square taper though. Would that make much difference?

Square taper, means it's simpler and longer lasting. BBs are fairly cheap and a design that has been in use for decades.

£12 buys you a tool that installs both the BB and your cassette lockring

Your wheels are not an issue if going to 10 speed Campagnolo because Ambrosio and others make a 10 Speed cassette with Campagnolo spacing and Shimano splines.

bit of an arse to buy a specific cassette every time you need a new one or want to change ratios though..

Over budget options for friday trolling.

Sram apex. A compact double with a MTB cassette will get you the range you want. Bigger gaps though.

£389.99
http://www.merlincycles.com/bike-shop/road-parts/transmission/groupsets-road-bike/sram-apex-black-groupset.html?utm_campaign=googlebase-GB&utm_source=googlebase&utm_medium=shopping&utm_term=Groupsets+-+Road+Bike

2013 Veloce triple. 52/39/30 chainset, with a 13-26 cassette (or even 13-29) nets you plenty of close gears. Plus its lovely silver and curvy campag. Crankset installation is a poo though.
£432.38
http://www.shinybikes.com/campagnolo-veloce-triple-groupset-2013-10-speed-silver.html

According to SRAM Cav is testing SRAM hydraulic on his bike today to see if he will ride it in TDF.

Because you'd definitely change gruppo day before a shot at a yellow jersey.

According to SRAM Cav is testing SRAM hydraulic on his bike today to see if he will ride it in TDF.

Because you'd definitely change gruppo day before a shot at a yellow jersey.

Meh.

Its only the brakes that are hydraulic. He can just use opposition support riders to bounce off, on the corners approching the sprint.

Why would one want hydraulic rim brakes on their road bike?

I can't see an advantage. I can see quite a few negatives though - weight, service complexity, catastrophic heat induced failure.

I can't see an advantage. I can see quite a few negatives though - weight, service complexity, catastrophic heat induced failure.

^ this

Because Sram need a reason for you to upgrade.

No 11 speed, No electric........

Agree. Shame on you, SRAM.

Your wheels are not an issue if going to 10 speed Campagnolo because Ambrosio and others make a 10 Speed cassette with Campagnolo spacing and Shimano splines.
Ta, but not really a problem as I'll be getting the wheels anyway.

Over budget options for friday trolling.
I just got some news that may mean this is not such an issue...

Sram apex. A compact double with a MTB cassette will get you the range you want. Bigger gaps though.
2013 Veloce triple. 52/39/30 chainset, with a 13-26 cassette (or even 13-29) nets you plenty of close gears. Plus its lovely silver and curvy campag. Crankset installation is a poo though.

Apex is a no-no. New gruppo can't be black.

I'm aware it can be had in silver, but the words "hens'" and "teeth" spring to mind.
Veloce looks nice, any better than the 10-spd Chorus option though?

IMO your best bet is get the Chorus 10 off your mate. If the grey Centaur cranks turn out to be too visually offensive, you can get Campag triple tranks (sq taper), fairly cheap. Hilary Stone has a racing triple for £65 at the moment.

I just got some news that may mean this is not such an issue...

Sweet :)

Veloce looks nice, any better than the 10-spd Chorus option though?

A lot of the mechanics will be the same. Even Campag trickle down at some point. But the cranks will be stiffer. Plus the whole thing will be lighter.

But the new shape levers give loads more braking grip while on the hoods. The lever shape alone would swing it for me. Especially pulling the nipper.

I did a quick gear inch check for 52/39/30 with 13-26. Looked nice.

For light loads pootling around the 39 tooth gets 45 - 80 gear inches out of the cassette.

Assuming you dont cross chain.
52 gives 105 - 72 gear inches
30 gives 34 - 53 gear inches.

Why would one want hydraulic rim brakes on their road bike?

I can't see an advantage. I can see quite a few negatives though - weight, service complexity, catastrophic heat induced failure.

More options for cable routing - good for TT. Better modulation. Competing with Magura... ummm...