Where to buy groupsets?

[brucester22]

Hello,

I had a giant defy 1 2012 that came with a full shimano 105 groupset.

I loved that bike but foolishly i sold it.

I want a new bike that comes with full 105 groupset but cant find one manufacturer that does it.

They all seem to use a tiagra cassette or brake lever or whatever.

Instead of reseaching all the bikes, i have decided to build my own. I mean, when you buy an entry level bike, most of the price is just the groupset and they try to skimp on a cheap frame, crappy wheelset which needs to be replaced etc so why not just buy the groupset seperate then choose whatever wheels and frame you want?

It might cost more because you arent getting the manufacturers discount for bulk groupset purchase, but at least you are paying extra for wheels you wont use and a sub standard frame.

Is that a fair outlook? Am i missing something?

Anyway, where can you buy a full shimano 105 groupset on its own for a decent price?

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

[The_Eggman]

Ribble Cycles do pretty cheap groupsets.

Surprised you can't find something you like in full 105

[Purt]

Shiny bikes.

[Ozkaban]

The Malvern Star Oppys have full series group sets. I had the A5 with full 105. Great bikes.

If you want to build, ribble has pretty good prices. I believe bike24 is also good.

[RonK]

Instead of reseaching all the bikes, i have decided to build my own. I mean, when you buy an entry level bike, most of the price is just the groupset and they try to skimp on a cheap frame, crappy wheelset which needs to be replaced etc so why not just buy the groupset seperate then choose whatever wheels and frame you want?

It might cost more because you arent getting the manufacturers discount for bulk groupset purchase, but at least you are paying extra for wheels you wont use and a sub standard frame.

Is that a fair outlook? Am i missing something?

Nope - your take is correct. Build your own, and it will cost a little more, but you'll get the spec you want. Take your time to research and acquire the components and it needn't be that much more expensive either.

[clydesmcdale]

Ribble Cycles do pretty cheap groupsets.

Don't be surprised you end up with something higher spec than 105 once you look into Ribble.
I went in looking for Ultegra Di2 ended up with full Super Record

[jaseyjase]

ribble cycles, merlin cycles, shiny bikes.

[humanbeing]

Also Total Cycling

[Jean]

Check out bike-discount.de too

[InTheWoods]

I want a new bike that comes with full 105 groupset but cant find one manufacturer that does it.

?

Eg. http://www.giant-bicycles.com/en-au/bik ... ifications

Full 105, except for the chain, which you could probably argue is better than 105 anyway.

~$1999 if you shop around.

[brucester22]

Thanks for all the links guys.

As for the giant defy 2 advanced, i considered that one but for 2500, i think i could build something better, particularly the wheels.

[InTheWoods]

Thanks for all the links guys.

As for the giant defy 2 advanced, i considered that one but for 2500, i think i could build something better, particularly the wheels.

$2500 is RRP. Shop around and get it for $1999. The p-sl1 wheels are actually pretty good.

[mitzikatzi]

When you build a bike from a bare frame the costs quickly add up. Usually it is cheaper to buy a complete bike IMHO.

[Mulger bill]

When you build a bike from a bare frame the costs quickly add up. Usually it is cheaper to buy a complete bike IMHO.

But what's the fun in that?

[jacks1071]

When you build a bike from a bare frame the costs quickly add up. Usually it is cheaper to buy a complete bike IMHO.

But what's the fun in that?

Its cheaper to buy a bike off the shelf if you plan to leave it like that.

Many people modify & upgrade what they bought off the shelf and based on that, one could arge that it'd be cheaper to buy what you want straight up by building it.

Higher initial purchase price but longer term saving perhaps?

[mitzikatzi]

...snip...

As for the giant defy 2 advanced, i considered that one but for 2500, i think i could build something better, particularly the wheels.

It has also been posted that you can find this bike for $1999.

Given that a 105 groupset costs about $550 at Ribble.

The question is can you build a better bike for $2000,

All I said was costs add up quickly and that it is often better value to buy a complete bike.

I just built a bike from a frame the 1.5 to 2k build ended up being closer to 3K

[brucester22]

Even with all the online savings? I am seeing sweet wheelsets for 50% off. Previous years frames at huge discounts.

I think if oyu shopped around you could build something with better specs than whats on offer.

Like i said, i got a defy 1 with full 105 for like 1700 a couple of years ago. Now its 2500 for similar. The oppy 5 isnt full 105. Seen the word "tiagra" a couple of times in the specs.

[Ozkaban]

Like i said, i got a defy 1 with full 105 for like 1700 a couple of years ago. Now its 2500 for similar. The oppy 5 isnt full 105. Seen the word "tiagra" a couple of times in the specs.

Well I'll be... The A5 doesn't exist (the cut over to carbon is now the A4/C4 level) and you're bang on about not being the full groupset! I had the 2011 model A5 and one of the main things that attracted me to it was they didn't skimp on the groupset like most other brands. Times change I guess... I need to keep up with these things more!

[delazy]

Unlikely you will build something better than the giant advance for the money.

I did this recently and found buying individual parts something far better was only $x more.

ended up with an ultegra/dura-ace gruppo ProLite cuneo GP on braccianos...admittingly it came in at ~3k and 7.2kg weight wise...but it's a solid ride

[Jean]

When you build a bike from a bare frame the costs quickly add up. Usually it is cheaper to buy a complete bike IMHO.

But what's the fun in that?

Its cheaper to buy a bike off the shelf if you plan to leave it like that.

Many people modify & upgrade what they bought off the shelf and based on that, one could arge that it'd be cheaper to buy what you want straight up by building it.

Higher initial purchase price but longer term saving perhaps?

There's something to this in my experience. The last off the peg bike I bought (an inexpensive MTB), I ended up spending quite a bit more over time changing out stems, handlebars, seatposts, saddles, cranksets etc to get it closer to the sort of bike I wanted. It's replacement is a build of my own with everything (painstakingly) chosen by me. It probably cost me a bit more than an equivalent in a shop, but it's what I want and I doubt much will be changed on it any time soon.

If you can buy off the floor and be happy, then go that way. If you are inclined to upgrade bits, or otherwise tweak or experiment with your ride, build up a frame.

[Crowz]

The logic that you should build your own because you'll upgrade the stock bike is rubbish. even if you go Doreen the build it yourself route you'll end up wanting more than what you have anyway, you're just accelerating the process.

[kokoman]

Buy the most expensive bike you're comfortable with. I wish I had spent the $800 more for the next level Roubaix. The amount of money spent on wheels / better saddle / better frame....

[Puffy]

Some don't have the money to buy all they want up front. Personally I bought a good frame with low spec (Sora) bolt on's. Two years on I have upgraded the wheels and seat when I had the money... flirting with a new groupset now actually. Yes, it will cost me a lot more but it sure beats the hell out of saving for three years (and riding nothing) and buying off the shelf!

[jasonc]

Higher initial purchase price but longer term saving perhaps?

hey - you've done all right out of me. I bought a roadie last year (on super special), upgraded the wheels and I'm still ahead vs building it myself.

[The_Eggman]

City Bike depot in Sydney had a Merida Scultura 904 with full 105 for $1500. Admittedly not the current model, but good buying IMO