I’m trying to decide which upgrade to go with on my genesis equilibrium
Either shimano 105 compact group @£300 or
Ultegra wheelset @£225 both from ribble
It currently has sora group and Alex rims
Could anyone advise me on which would be the best upgrade for the money
Thanks

Wheels will make more difference for less. Probably.

Wheels will make the most difference to the feel of the bike.

Many would prefer the visible bling of the 105 groupo, I wouldn’t.

Wheels then upgrade the groupset bit by bit?

Can even work out cheaper that way if you just keep your eyes open for mega deals on individual bits, like Merlin’s recent blowout.

I changed from Sora to 105 and Mavic CXP22 to Fulcrum Racing 5. The wheels were definitely the more effective upgrade. Yes 105 feels a lot nicer than Sora (my main bugbear was those stupid thumb shifters) but the wheels just feel so much better. Noticeably stiffer (which at first made the ride harsher) and just feel like they roll better and accelerate more easily. Don’t expect any improvement in speed, it’s all about the feel.

What percentage of your ride do you spend changing gear? 1%? Conversely your wheels are in use 100% of the time (unless you’re doing wheelies or bunny hops…).

Assuming it’s in good condition, the wheels. If the groupset’s worn, then that. But as a rule, don’t replace drivetrain til it’s dead, pouring money down the drain otherwise.

Or, neither, what’s it doing that you don’t like? You don’t say so perhaps nothing. Road bikes have an incredibly easy job do to, unless you’re racing there’s nothing on that bike that isn’t more than good enough. Hookers and blackjack.

I’m slowly trying to shed some weight off the bike not that it’s gonna make a big difference but I like the idea of
It being a bit more nimble. The groupset is in good condition but the thumb shift is annoying.
Basically I got a bit of spare cash and fancy spunking it on my road bike. Think I will leave the groupset until
It needs replacing like you say.

If you’re looking to save weight, why not keep saving, then sell that road bike, add the money to it and buy a new one.

Buy the wheels and some Tiagra / 105 STIs (+/- a new cassette & chain if it’s a different number of gears). Maybe second hand. Obviously it won’t affect the weight dramatically but the old Sora STIs are pretty horrible, Tiagra and up are much better.

Wheels every time, them’s the bit that’s rolling!

RAWHIDE!!

I’ve recently swapped a Sora group set with an Ultegra group set shifted off another bike which I replaced with 105. Really in terms of shifting quality you cannot tell any difference whatsoever. In fact, if I was really thinking about it, the Sora group set was probably the best shifting, even if it did have the old style thumb button downshift. Also there was not much difference in weight according to the ‘hand scales’. If I were you i’d go for the wheel set.

Thanks for the advice will leave the groupset for now