I ride a Cotic Escapade as my main bike, by mileage. It’s running mainly 105 5700 10-speed – shifters, derailleurs, chainset and mechs – with Hope Pro 2 Evo hubs and an 11-32 SLX 10-speed cassette.

I need to replace the rear mech, chain and chainset at minimum.

Can I mix an 11-speed stuff (5800 or Ultegra) with 10-speed stuff? Ideally, I’d keep the 10-speed shifters and cassette – although I read mixed opinions on whether this is possible…

If not, I presume this means that a switch to a road (drop bar) 11-speed could be quite painful? Is it true that – unlike MTB 11-speed – road bike 11-speed cassettes demand a wider freehub body than even 11-speed MTB stuff?

Help – I’m getting confused!

You can swap the chainset to 5800 or 6800 but not the mechs if you want to stay 10spd.

If your hub is a 40t EVO then there is a replacement freehub body available that is 11spd compatible.

There’s little to be gained from going to 11sp on what is ,I assume, your work horse.
10sp stuff can be picked up VERY cheaply now.

Thanks chaps.

The other option is to remain 10-speed (goes to look at 10sp Dura Ace)…