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<p>I haven't been around here for a while, but I need some advice, and y'all are the best! So, my bike has had some issues, and I took it in to a reputable LBS, and they looked at it and replaced the chain, even though it was brand new (had another shop look at it a month ago who put on a new chain and cassette). It didn't fix the problem, and I was back the next day. They apologized profusely and put my old chain back on and refunded my money for the parts AND labor. Great shop! Then, they spent a while trying to diagnose the problem. They put a new wheel and cassette on (even thought the cassette was new), a new rear derailleur, checked alignment, everything. Nothing fixed the problem. The problem is that it makes noise in the middle gears of the cassette and will often slip out of those gears. No matter what I do, it just never locks in like it should. So, they concluded that I need new shifters. UGH!</p>
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<p>I bought my bike used about 3 1/2 years ago. I think it was 3-4 years old when I bought it. I've put 5-6K miles on it, and I'm sure it had AT LEAST that many on it when I bought it. It is a 9 speed Shimano 105. It now has a brand new chain and a brand new cassette on it. I've put aerobars on it, but it is a road bike. I love it, as it's a steel frame Guru, and the color is awesome. I don't plan to ever get rid of it, but I would like to eventually get a tri bike (probably carbon).</p>
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<p>So, my dilemma is that I can't just replace the shifters with what's on there because they aren't made anymore. I either have to replace them with Tiagra 9 speed shifters ($250) or I have to switch out everything to 10 speed. I'm leaning toward the latter. I'm also considering SRAM Apex instead of Shimano 105. It would be slightly cheaper, and the ergonomics are a little better for my small hands. I can get the 5 piece SRAM group for $500. I have a friend who is a bike mechanic who will install it all for $40. OR I can go with Shimano 105, which will cost me a bit more, though I might not have to replace everything since I currently have Shimano, just 9 speed. I thought about also putting on Shimano 105 10 speed shifter and getting the Shiftmate, but that would just be temporary and would cost me more in the long run. Whatever I choose, it is a lot of money, so I want to make sure I make the right decision. I don't want to throw money away, though.</p>
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<p>If I was closer to buying a tri bike, I would just find some used Shimano 105 9 speed shifters and put them on this bike. Right now, I'm not close to getting my tri bike, though, so this is the bike I'll be using for a while for everything, including racing.</p>
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<p>Sorry this was so long, but any thoughts?</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Kelli</p>
<p> </p>
<p>I bought my bike used about 3 1/2 years ago. I think it was 3-4 years old when I bought it. I've put 5-6K miles on it, and I'm sure it had AT LEAST that many on it when I bought it. It is a 9 speed Shimano 105. It now has a brand new chain and a brand new cassette on it. I've put aerobars on it, but it is a road bike. I love it, as it's a steel frame Guru, and the color is awesome. I don't plan to ever get rid of it, but I would like to eventually get a tri bike (probably carbon).</p>
<p> </p>
<p>So, my dilemma is that I can't just replace the shifters with what's on there because they aren't made anymore. I either have to replace them with Tiagra 9 speed shifters ($250) or I have to switch out everything to 10 speed. I'm leaning toward the latter. I'm also considering SRAM Apex instead of Shimano 105. It would be slightly cheaper, and the ergonomics are a little better for my small hands. I can get the 5 piece SRAM group for $500. I have a friend who is a bike mechanic who will install it all for $40. OR I can go with Shimano 105, which will cost me a bit more, though I might not have to replace everything since I currently have Shimano, just 9 speed. I thought about also putting on Shimano 105 10 speed shifter and getting the Shiftmate, but that would just be temporary and would cost me more in the long run. Whatever I choose, it is a lot of money, so I want to make sure I make the right decision. I don't want to throw money away, though.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>If I was closer to buying a tri bike, I would just find some used Shimano 105 9 speed shifters and put them on this bike. Right now, I'm not close to getting my tri bike, though, so this is the bike I'll be using for a while for everything, including racing.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Sorry this was so long, but any thoughts?</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Kelli</p>
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