Which Groupset?

11 speed? Limited choice of components makes it a bit pointless for touring etc.

11-32 with a 52/36, or you could go further and run 11-32 with a 50/34.

I've gone for 11-28 with 53/39 on the Rotter and 11-32 with 52/36 on the Oak

The alternative I was thinking of to 105 would be rival but I don't know much about the difference in reliabilty and durability between the two

11-32 with a 52/36, or you could go further and run 11-32 with a 50/34.

I've gone for 11-28 with 53/39 on the Rotter and 11-32 with 52/36 on the Oak

The decision making process re these questions I find very rewarding.

11 speed? Limited choice of components makes it a bit pointless for touring etc.

And too fragile too, 8/9 speed is better for touring than 10/11 speed.

How many failures of 11 speed Shimano have you seen Ed?

The alternative I was thinking of to 105 would be rival but I don't know much about the difference in reliabilty and durability between the two

I think it's pretty similar to be honest. Good thing about sram is you can mix / match all the wiflli stuff for a massive range of gearing.

11-32 with a 52/36, or you could go further and run 11-32 with a 50/34.

I've gone for 11-28 with 53/39 on the Rotter and 11-32 with 52/36 on the Oak

I didn't mean limited choice of gearing, I meant limited choice for replacement parts. Buying an ultegra cassette and chain (the cheapest option) is total overkill for touring. It's a 2nd tier race group.
Plus, bike shops in the middle of nowhere tend to have limited stick of new new things, or even non-standard parts. Part of the reason I swapped from campag is because of going into bike shops in Wales and the mechanic looking at me like I'd brought a penny farthing in.

Isnt there a well known fault with latest 105 (which is 10 speed)?

Edit: This:

Edit: did not know about that

Anywhere that's cheaper than Merlin for a 105 group? I've found a couple of German sites, but with less customisation possibilities...

Check Shinybikes and cyclingbargins.

Fudge cycles do good proces for Sram stuff.

I'd get apex though.

http://www.cyclingbargains.com/product_info.php/sram-apex-groupset-p-457?gclid=COWOscWw3LoCFa57cAodwjsAg&currency=GBP&stdSID=0ac46acedf807d05ae30585d4b847341

Lies^

I'd get silver Athena. Comfort, performance, and looks. I just couldnt recomend the same to anyone else. Such a faff running campy 11 speed. You literally cant get any parts in this country full stop.

I didn't mean limited choice of gearing, I meant limited choice for replacement parts. Buying an ultegra cassette and chain (the cheapest option) is total overkill for touring. It's a 2nd tier race group.
Plus, bike shops in the middle of nowhere tend to have limited stick of new new things, or even non-standard parts. Part of the reason I swapped from campag is because of going into bike shops in Wales and the mechanic looking at me like I'd brought a penny farthing in.

Fair point, however in this age of Wiggle et al I would imagine that you could have an Ultegra [broken part] with you by 10am the next day, even in The Wales.

Whilst it is a second tier racing group this also means it's designed to be strong, to shift under significant load and to be (relatively) lightweight- all positive aspects when it comes to laden touring.

£50 gets you an Ultegra cassette, £20 a chain- that's not astronomical money for the consumable parts.

How many failures of 11 speed Shimano have you seen Ed?

Seen plenty with the 10 speed due to accelerated wear and tear (poor maintenance and the like).

Isn't 8/9 speed chains are generally stronger than the 10/11 speeds one?

Plus, bike shops in the middle of nowhere tend to have limited stick of new new things, or even non-standard parts.

I work in a bicycle shop 20 miles outside London, we don't stock 11 speeds or Campagnolo (oddly enough have some belt drive component), it can only be ordered in from the distributor.

Well they are thicker. Don't know if they are defiantly stronger.

And too fragile too, 8/9 speed is better for touring than 10/11 speed.

I think 8 speed is a bit too regressive now. But 9 speed shimano is a good point. You'll be able to use all the 9 speed deore stuff too.

Also if you want a whole new group from a shop now then 105 or Apex seems to be the way to go.

How hardcore is the tour going to be?

I think 8 speed is a bit too regressive now.

Have you not notice Claris? it's a huge set-up from the original 2300 with it's shitty thumb shifter.

I know. But you already know my view on this.

10 speed is the base level standard now IMO. The higher end shimano has been 10 speed for ages and only just switched. Tigra is now 10speed as well. Etc.

Seen plenty with the 10 speed due to accelerated wear and tear (poor maintenance and the like).

Isn't 8/9 speed chains are generally stronger than the 10/11 speeds one?

I work in a bicycle shop 20 miles outside London, we don't stock 11 speeds or Campagnolo (oddly enough have some belt drive component), it can only be ordered in from the distributor.

You are introducing a new element here- that of "what groupset will put up with shitty maintenance for longest without breaking"

Isn't 8/9 speed chains are generally stronger than the 10/11 speeds one?
.

Well they are thicker. Don't know if they are defiantly stronger.

The gaps between the plates are narrower of course. But the plates can be the same thickness. The gaps are not contributing to strength.

I have 10 speed MTB, and 11 speed road stuff. You may need to be a bit more precise with set-up. But then that'll reduce wear anyway.

The only reason I'd go 9 speed shimano. Would be to mix and match road and mtb components. But as you can do this with 10 speed Sram I would'nt bother.

You are introducing a new element here- that of "what groupset will put up with shitty maintenance for longest without breaking"

Definitely not the 10/11 speeds one judging the states of customer's bicycles.

Least they're glad that the Tiagra cassette are cheaper nowadays.

But you are answering a different question- and the real answer would be "get a hub gear".

Why hubs when 5/6 speed screw-on freewheel last just as long?

I suspect that that is bollocks, and also I challenge you to go into your nearest Evans and purchase a 5 speed screw on freewheel.

If its proper hardcore touring. Then yeah, do the whole barend shifters to MTB mech thing, or get an IGH.

Otherwise just buy the best your budget allows, in the brand of your chioce. Its a bicycle. Not a nuclear powered submarine. Carry spares and tools, and fix stuff as you go.

I'd totally tour on Campy SR EPS if I could afford it.

Haters gonna hate etc.