[Stogaguy]

I am considering upgrading the drive train of my Cervelo RS from 10-speed Dura Ace 7800 to 11-speed Ultegra 6800 (mechanical) and have a few questions:

1. Interested in running a compact with a 32T cassette and the GS derailleur. Does anyone know of a 12-32 cassette that is compatible with this set-up? I would rather add the cog in the middle of the range and it looks like Shimano only offers an 11-32.

2. Is my FSA SLK "10-speed" crank (circa 2008) compatible with 11-speed? Any issues I need to know about?

3. Any issues using my Mavic Equip wheels (circa 2008) with 11-speed? I have read that they are compatible with 11-speed cassettes - just remove the spacer. Is this truly the case?

4. Any cable routing issues using my K-Wing Compact bars (circa 2008)? Can these be easily adapted for the along-the-bars shift cable routing of the 11-speed shifters?

Thank you in advance for your help.

 

[MR_GRUMPY]

I think that you mean Downgrade.

 

[ericm979]

The crank should work with 11sp.

The new brakes use a different cable pull, so you need new brakes.

If the freehub has a 1mm shimano 10sp spacer AND a 1.8mm spacer, then you should be able to fit 11sp on it.

For the cassette I agree that 50x11 is more than is needed much of the time. By giving up the 11t you could add a 15t between the existing 14t and 16t. You will also need additional sprocket spacers, a 12t outer cog, 12t lock ring and 13t second cog. It may be cheaper to find a 12-xx cassette with a solo 15t cog than to buy the parts.

 

[giosblue]

Any upgrade from from 9sp DA 7700 is downgrade.

 

[robt57]

Any upgrade from from 9sp DA 7700 is downgrade.

Only, and IMO, Only critique for 7700. If you have small hands [which I do not] and can take advantage of Shimano's smaller size of the 7700-STI [to attain weight goal?].

10 years after using 7700 with my huge mitts, I got a 6500 bike. And the STI where bigger and way more ERGO for me than the 7700. I was in heaven when I got 7800 STIs with my mitts, and even had to put on a shorter stem on the bike that went 7700 to 7800.

12 years on that 7700 groupo with a few cassette changes, and amazingly a KMC chain that never seemed to elongate much. Albeit I was anal about cleaning and lubing.

Have to mention that the ORIGINAL 7700 Bottom bracket is still on that bike [repurposed as SS with ENO] and is perfect with one cleaning re-lube. Originally installed in 2000. Reason for mentioning is due to myriads of post over a decade I have read that they are sheit and use the Ultegra one. User Install Errors I am convinced, as in too heavy for light work IMO.

BB on that bike for 15 years, although with several bikes to spread the miles across I believe it to only have approx 30-32k on it.

The originally installed rear Derailleur is doing 10 speed duty still to this day.

And the 7700 crankset IMO is all things superb, sans compact gearing.

 

[ericm979]

I found the 7800 lever ergonomics far superior to 7700. The 7700 levers just did not fit my hands. I still have a 7703 rear derailleur on one of my bikes though.

 

[ngl]

I do not believe shimano offers a 12-32 11-speed cassette.

I am going to assume you are presently running a 53/39 crank with a 12-25 cassette. My recommendation would be to install a new 10-speed compact crank (and sell the DA crank to recoup some money) and install a 10-speed 12-27 cassette (with a 16t) or 12-30 cassette (without a 16t) and save a $hit load of money. This will give you an additional 2-3 gears on the low end.

 

[Srode]

Shimano has a 12/32 11spd cassette, I had one on my Synapse and it came with it, along with the GS RDR.

 

[Sanders]

2. Is my FSA SLK "10-speed" crank (circa 2008) compatible with 11-speed? Any issues I need to know about?

I recently openend a thread about exactly this and had some really good and clear advice IMO.
You should check it out here:
http://forums.roadbikereview.com/components-wrenching/fsa-crank-11s-compatible-342759.html

 

[Trek_5200]

7800 is a very good group set, so is 6800. I'm sure you one could find minor peeves about each. Unless you find something grossly unsatisfactory on the 7800 I would judge the exercise a waste of time and money. Maybe if the 7800 was shot and worth fixing.

Personally I think 32 cog is over-kill for more than 99% of routes, and going from 10-11 gears not a huge advantage.

 

[ngl]

Shimano has a 12/32 11spd cassette, I had one on my Synapse and it came with it, along with the GS RDR.

Can you provide a link to this? It's not on the Shimano web site.
Thanks,

 

[ibericb]

Can you provide a link to this? It's not on the Shimano web site.
Thanks,

Currently they don't offer an 11-sped 12-32, but for the CS-6800 & CS-5800 there are 11-32 options.

 

[Srode]

Currently they don't offer an 11-sped 12-32, but for the CS-6800 & CS-5800 there are 11-32 options.

I stand corrected, its an 11-32 not 12-32 that came with the Synapse

 

[Stogaguy]

Thanks! This is a very interesting thread.

 

[Stogaguy]

A little more info

Thank you for all of the input. Let me fill in some gaps.

There is nothing "wrong" with my DA 7800 group, works great. The motivation for the change is just to have a more current set-up on my main bike, the Cervelo. Yes, this is partially pure self indulgence...

The 10-speed DA 7800 group (from my Cervelo) would move to my Lemond Poprad. I use this as a rain/gravel bike. Currently, it has 9-speed 105. The 105 group would go on eBay.

The Cervelo currently has a compact (as does the Lemond). I intend to keep the compact. The real question is whether to change the crank, change the chainrings, or leave it the way it is.

I currently run a 32T in the rear on both of my bikes and will keep this. My local terrain (Nor Cal, Napa & Sonoma Counties) couples with my middle-aged legs make this a sensible choice for me.

 

[ericm979]

Leave the crank and chainrings. They'll shift fine but if they don't you can change them later.