Baller on a budget (groupset advice)

[thegunner]

so i blew my budget on a custom frame. that said, i don't want to throw weightweenie'ism aside and throw a bunch of low end parts on it just because, so i'm turning to you guys.

what group would you go for on a budget (say $800 USD max)

assume all are new or close to it... i'm used to the shift mechanism of SRAM, but i'm not averse to switching it up...

[BrianVarick]

I would try to get a force or ultegra for around $600

[thegunner]

I would try to get a force or ultegra for around $600

yeah those are both definitely options, but i'm having a hard time picking ONE

[eric01]

Force is lighter. But imho ultegra is the better group. I just prefer the shifting feel of shimano


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[russianbear]

Ultegra or Chorus if you have a couple hundos more kicking around.

[Trainor6513]

I just got ultegra on my new bike. Biggest compliment i can give it is that you dont know its there. Soo smooth.

[Marin]

Force 22 or even Rival 22.

[sd5500]

"Baller on a budget", is that an oxymoron? go ultegra.

[Irish]

Ultegra or Chorus, Ultegra is cheaper,(2/3rds the price of Chorus here) easy to set up and easier to find spares for, Chorus is more expensive, harder to set up(but once done correctly that's it) lasts forever and is lighter than Ultegra. I've used Chorus for years and found it faultless, using Ultegra this year but will need to wait a little longer before I can really rate it for durability.

[locktopus]

Find something second hand.

I picked up a 2013 Red group for $850 CAD w/ ~300 mi on it.

Just have to be patient and keep your eyes open.

[thegunner]

I can pick up the old SRAM red for $500 if that sways any votes (or new ultegra with 9000 shifters for $700)

[greentimgreen]

Had this dilemna too a short while ago. Went with force 22 but swapped out a couple of the key components with Red 22 - the chainset and cassette - then you're as close as you can be to the group set weight of Red 22 but a great deal cheaper. Worked for me. Otherwise, best bang for buck is Ultegra 6800.

[Briscoelab]

6800 for $600 from Europe is the best deal out there. It's not quite the lightest, but it's functionally as nice as 9000.

I think the Shimano brakes are miles better than anything Sram offers and the Ultegra crankset is unbeatable for the price.

But, if you wanted to use all of your $800 budget, you could get 6800 with a 9000 crankset and shifters.

[stripes]

What frame did you get?

I vote for 6800 unless you can up the budget for 2015 Chorus.

[btompkins0112]

6800