Litespeed Tuscany Ultegra

Advantages: Great Price, Great Components, Super Reliability
Disadvantages: None whatsoever

...is the introduction of the Shimano Ultegra 10spd groupset. This is only in the second year of use on this bike and I am still unsure of it's usefulness. I guess that I am just used to 9spd. I opted for the double chain ring rather than triple. I suppose a triple may be useful if you live half way up the Alpe D'Huez but West Yorshire has nice rolling countryside so a double covers all terrain! I guess if you live in Lincolnshire you might want to opt for a different cassette 11-23, but I stuck with the standard 12-25. The look of the bike is of course similar, but the 2006 model varies from the picture attached (which is the 2005 model) in that it is black, silver and blue - to match the Discovery team i guess. It is a great paint finish and the smooth Aluminium welds make the frame sleek and super smooth. It probably doesn't actually improve... Read review

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Advantages: fast, light, high spec for cheap price
Disadvantages: None

...: 1)Gearing (putting a higher spec on there such as Shimano 105 or ultegra) 2)Wheels (putting on lighter, and hence faster, wheels) 3)Tyres (putting on narrower, and hence faster, tyres) There are many other 'cosmetic' changes including changing the stem, changing the saddle, changing the bars etc. etc. The cost of upgrading varies greatly and depends what is changed. For example changing the gearing to Ultegra involves changing gear shifters/chain rings/front mech/rear mech/chain/cassette and is likely to cost around £400 (I didn't pay much more for the whole bike!). Rather than changing the wheels (which isn't that expensive and can be transferred to other bikes) and the tyres (these will need to be changed at some point anyway) I can't see the point in any other upgrades since I am a recreational cyclist only. I, and probably... Read review

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Advantages: Top of the range "bling" rear mech
Disadvantages: 9 speed "only", superceeded by RD-7800 10-speed version

...I bought this rear derailleur to replace an Ultegra mech when upgrading my bike from 8 to 9-speeds (well, 16 to 18 speed really with my double front chainset). Apparently, this mech is also compatible with 8-speed systems, you just need to change the cable mounting position. Dura Ace is the name of Shimano's top of the range group of bicycle components, or "groupset", for road race bikes, and the 9-speed 7700-series was introduced to the public in 1997 after Shimano sponsored riders using Dura-Ace 7700 series equipped bikes in 1996. Year by year, it's been enhanced, and this review is of rear mech from the 2004 model year. For the non-bike-ophiles among you, the rear mech (or mechanism) is the device at the back end of the bike that moves the chain across the muliple cogs (cassette) on the back wheel to change gear - bigger cog... Read review

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