I need to replace the chain and cassette on one of my road bikes. The groupset is Dura-Ace, but the current cassette is a Tiagra 4600, and I have no idea what the chain is (I just bought the bike second-hand)
I would imagine that, by spending almost 10 times the amount on a new DuraAce cassette and chain as I would on either a Tiagra or 105, there will be a difference in quality, but what can I expect to notice?
I have never brought myself to spend over £100 on a cassette before, so want to be talked into it.
105 will be fine. Far enough up the weight / cost curve.
It will make you 416% more attractive to the opposite sex
Thanks for that, scotroutes. I am glad to hear. BUT... if that is the case, why are Tiagra and 105 so close in price?
Well, they all are. Tiagra - 105 - Ultegra - DuraAce. Incremental improvements. The question you've got to ask is - "are you worth it?"
105 if you are sensible, Ultegra as a treat. Dura Ace if you have cash to blow.
Even the pros don't often run dura ace as they don't need to save the weight and it's a good unbranded place to add a bit without running something heavier than sponsor provided and promoted branded top end kit.
They're Pretty much all interchangeable, I was using all 105 bits, currently using an Ultegra chain with tiagra cassette (10 speed)...
Tiagra and 105 often only vary due to the component finish - materially they can be the same. With Ultegra you'll get alloy carriers for the larger sprockets - lighter and stiffer. With DuraAce you'll get titanium sprockets which don't last as long. Go for a KMC chain with ti nitride finish.
Dura Ace ones creak. It's annoying.
Dove, not quite right. 105 is closer to Ultegra. Tiagra cassette is 'solid', 105 uses alloy carrier for bigger sprockets like Ultegra. In 10spd only difference in 105 and Ultegra cassette is gloss vs Matt finish and an alloy lock ring which drops at most 10g.
Similar situation for the chain.
105 is best VFM.
You might need to add a spacer if you fit 105 in place of Tiagra. The Tiagra has three pins holding the largest sprockets in a block, the heads protrude and give you the necessary spacing
Mavic provide a spacer with three blind holes to accept these heads, no change needed in that case
The cassette tooth range might dictate your choice of cassette if you're delving in the discount section, they're all perfectly usable
scotroutes - Member
Well, they all are. Tiagra - 105 - Ultegra - DuraAce. Incremental improvements. The question you've got to ask is - [u]"do you like in a dream world where it actually makes a difference?[/u] [s]are you worth it?[/s]"
FTFY
IME there's *** all difference bar freehub-wrecking potential (if you run alu) and weight, although I'd love to think there's a durability/£ scale, I doubt anyone really knows it.
£10-15 on cassettes here, I got 1000 miles out of a HG50 8-speed and the new chain initially skipped on it - and to think they used to be case hardened, as did chains 🙁
Would never even dream of going DA cassette.
105 on the winter bikes Ultegra on the summer bikes.
KMC £25 chain for me.
105 10 speed is fine, pretty much the same as Ultegra from what I remember. Check out the SRAM cassettes though; I got a Force one with a groupset I bought and it looks as if it'll be a fair bit lighter than the Shimano equivalents. Dunno if it is, also dunno how much they cost either. You don't need a spacer with them either. HTH
Ultegra are a nicer finish worth a few quid extra but not loads. I also bought a few ultegra chains recently but as with all shimano chains you will need to buy a speed link separately.
Or a 10 speed SRAM chain with a quick link as standard. Works just fine, makes installations and removals very easy.
but as with all shimano chains you will need to buy a speed link separately.
Or join them with the handy pin they come with 🙂