Upgrades to entry level MTBs and Comfort Bikes

Since 2001, over 90,000 cyclist's have joined Cycling Forums to discuss topics from general cycling to equipment, training, racing and travel or vacation destinations (especially in europe during the tour de france). We also feature an great deals in our online store, 100's of articles, classifieds and product reviews.

Thanks Thomas. You sold you Apollo?? Gosh, how much you get for that.

In addition to the photo I took, I now have purchase a new rear rim too. So ready to go on to the new rim (Sun Blackeye rim with Novatec hub) a new SRAM 990 cassette (sweet!) and then new ensemble, SRAM X-9 rear derailleur and shifter pod. Leaving the old front wheel alone because it seems lightish anyway and perfectly true.

New photos to come soon.
Hiya, the Apollo had to go to make way for a Surly :). Still thinking through what frame size, and whether to get the LHT or the cross check.

I am thinking of putting on 26/36/48 crankset, will a standard triple MTB FD work with this crankset? Or do I have to get a road triple?

I am thinking of going Hone hub, and Hone deraileur. Do I need these for a tourer? or just standard derailleurs?

Thomas,

for a MTB/Trekking 48 tooth crankset, I use a Shimano FD-CO51 Front Derailleur, as used on the CRX4, they are normally under $20. ;)

As for a new project once the Wheeler is sold, Yes. :D

As for a new project once the Wheeler is sold, Yes. :D
I would have expected no less.

New project under way - Converting a vintage trek into something more commuter friendly.

I will be stripping, treating the frame with rust converter, and repainting with primer and enamel.

The drivetrain will be RX-100 for now, possibly Campagnolo Xenon later.

A couple of small projects underway at the moment, until the Wheeler is sold.

Upgrade the drive train on a new Black CRX4 for a 6'+ young lady for daily commuting and the occasional triathlon:
Leaving the cassette, a HG50-8 12-21, until later,
we are changing the Crankset to a Triple, Alloy, 30/42/52 with 175mm crank arms, a 118mm alloy bottom bracket, a Shimano FD-R443 Front Derailleur and a higher quality KMC Z92 chain. She has on (permanent) loan a pair of Michie Pro Race red/black tyres, the bike looks stunning! :cool:

A couple of small projects underway at the moment, until the Wheeler is sold.

Upgrade the drive train on a new Black CRX4 for a 6'+ young lady for daily commuting and the occasional triathlon:
Leaving the cassette, a HG50-8 12-21, until later,
we are changing the Crankset to a Triple, Alloy, 30/42/52 with 175mm crank arms, a 118mm alloy bottom bracket, a Shimano FD-R443 Front Derailleur and a higher quality KMC Z92 chain. She has on (permanent) loan a pair of Michie Pro Race red/black tyres, the bike looks stunning! :cool:See Below:

Not sure if this counts as an upgrade, but I've put panniers onto my road bike for commuting. It's a huge step up from backpacks, I sweat a lot less, and it's significantly more comfortable. It may well be the best $25 I've ever spent.I found that out commuting to work several years ago, even when it was cooler weather, having the straps in direct contact and bearing weight. Makes even non-comfort bikes more comfortable!

PS: I am considering reviving the old Giant Sedona AL for future Munda Biddi segment day trips. Have to still get into commuting to work to increase fitness, probably get the project underway late July for regular weekend riding in Spring.

A friend of mine has given me his road bike :D . I was going to get a hybrid. Are the changes much the same ? I'm thinking of changing handlebars, brake levers and not much else.
Any help would be greatly appreciated.


From time to time I am asked to do minor component/performance upgrades on entry level bikes. I will add the details of each project here as they happen.

Today's example:
Giant Upland Ladies XS 14" http://www.giant-bicycles.com/au/03...007&model=10105
Fit Conti City Contact 26x1.5 Tyres and Presta Valve Tubes.
Swap Cassette to Sunrace 11-24 7 Speed.
Swap Crankset to 28/38/48 with 152mm Cranks.
Swap Pedals to alloy MTB and fit Strapless Toe Clips.
Swap Seatpost to Suspension Post with a reversable head.
Swap Stem to 90mm adjustable.
Cut bars to 540mm, fit Foam Grips and adjust lever reach.

The bike ends up lower, lighter and fitting a sub 5' lady rider very well and is considerably faster than the original at a fraction of the cost of a road bike. ;)

A friend of mine has given me his road bike :D . I was going to get a hybrid. Are the changes much the same ? I'm thinking of changing handlebars, brake levers and not much else.
Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Are you sure that you want to do that?? ;)
Which road bike is it? While a Giant OCR would be suitable for conversion to hybrid, a Cervelo TT bike might not be.

A friend of mine has given me his road bike :D . I was going to get a hybrid. Are the changes much the same ? I'm thinking of changing handlebars, brake levers and not much else.
Any help would be greatly appreciated.I am doing several Drop to Flat Bar Conversions at the moment.
Esentially:
Flat bars and Grips
Longer Stem to suit flat bars, (25.4mm x 100mm-110mm)
Flat Bar-Calliper Brake Levers, Shimano BL-R550
Flat Bar Shifters, SL-R440/443/A depending on 8,9 speed or a Double / Triple chainring
Flat Bar Front Derailleur, FD-R440/3/A/F depeding on 8/9 speed, Double/Triple Crankset, Braze/Clamp on mounting.

A typical current project below:

A 30 year old 10 speed road bike converted to 12 speed flat bar:

Does it have indexed shifting?

Does it have indexed shifting?Yes,
new Sunrace 6 speed 14-28 spin-on Freewheel
and Sunrace 6 Speed Thumb Shifters. :)
And a KMC Z51 Index Chain. :D

From time to time I am asked to do minor component/performance upgrades on entry level bikes. I will add the details of each project here as they happen.

Today's example:
Giant Upland Ladies XS 14" http://www.giant-bicycles.com/au/03...007&model=10105
Fit Conti City Contact 26x1.5 Tyres and Presta Valve Tubes.
Swap Cassette to Sunrace 11-24 7 Speed.
Swap Crankset to 28/38/48 with 152mm Cranks.
Swap Pedals to alloy MTB and fit Strapless Toe Clips.
Swap Seatpost to Suspension Post with a reversable head.
Swap Stem to 90mm adjustable.
Cut bars to 540mm, fit Foam Grips and adjust lever reach.

The bike ends up lower, lighter and fitting a sub 5' lady rider very well and is considerably faster than the original at a fraction of the cost of a road bike. ;)An update on the upgrade:

Jackie has asked for some comfort adjustments,
Velo Ladies Saddle with cut-out,
A longer, 100mm, adjustable stem,
Alloy Flat Bars.
In the performance department,
I recently fitted a 12-24 tooth 7 speed cassette, with 2 tooth jumps, Jackie says its much nicer to ride. :) With 48-12 gearing she still tops out over 50Ks! :eek:

Yesterday I was given a 10 year old Huffy, complete with the K-Mart sticker.

It has a road frame, 43cm seat tube, 54cm top tube,
side pull caliper brakes
24" wheels with wide rims
14-28 6 speed spin on freewheel
28/38/48 one piece 140mm crankset.

Apart from some surface rust on the rims the bike is in good condition, so the plan is to mod it for a spare bike to for "Little Jackie" and her friends.

First thing is to service all the bearings and cables and then fit:
152mm one piece crank arms,
small strapless toe clips for the pedals,
foam grips for the bars,
24x1.5 Duro City Tyres and tubes,
Suspension seat post, 25.4, with reversable clamp,
Ladies Velo saddle.

More later as the parts arrive... ;)Jackie has lent me the Huffy! :eek:
See Posts 62-68 for original story and pix; http://www.cyclingforums.com/t-363004-15-4.html

Now that's a dangerous thing to do to a bike mechanic:
First, remove all Huffy stickers, replace with K-Mart Stickers.
Remove 24" wheels and Tyres, replace with 26" wheels and 85psi tyres.
Change brake callipers to 60mm drop.
Change the flat bars to 580mm bars with a 30mm rise.
Change brake levers to the four finger variety.
Remove the stand and steel bracket (angle grinder) from the chain stay, the 26" wheel now fits in easily!
Change 152mm One Piece Crankset to 170mm.
Change 28/38/48 chainwheels to 36/42/48 teeth.
Change the seat to a Selle Italia comfort saddle.
Fit Alloy Front Rack. (looking for cane basket)

See new pix :D :

Sad to say that my Apollo will no longer be an upgraded bike..

The parts are to soon live on a DMR Switchback.... Reynold DB 520 frame... YUM!
Keeping the front wheel of the apollo
new rear wheel from Cellbikes - Sun Blackeye with Novatech hubs
soon to put together complete X9 shifters/derailleur
SRAM990 cassette
XT Vbrakes
R7 Manitou front fork
EA70 stem, EC90 flatbar
XT crankset BB from Chainreaction cycles
Crossmarks for MTB riding, Contisports for commuting
26.8 Canecreek Seatpost with Specialised Alias seat

So essentially the old part from the Apollo will be the front wheel... does that class as an upgrade :p

Jackie has lent me the Huffy! :eek:
See Posts 62-68 for original story and pix; http://www.cyclingforums.com/t-363004-15-4.html

Now that's a dangerous thing to do to a bike mechanic:
First, remove all Huffy stickers, replace with K-Mart Stickers.
Remove 24" wheels and Tyres, replace with 26" wheels and 85psi tyres.
Change brake callipers to 60mm drop.
Change the flat bars to 580mm bars with a 30mm rise.
Change brake levers to the four finger variety.
Remove the stand and steel bracket (angle grinder) from the chain stay, the 26" wheel now fits in easily!
Change 152mm One Piece Crankset to 170mm.
Change 28/38/48 chainwheels to 36/42/48 teeth.
Change the seat to a Selle Italia comfort saddle.
Fit Alloy Front Rack. (looking for cane basket)Found, a cane basket:

Found, a cane basket:
A bike with a cane basket should have full mudguards, no gears and be very heavy. ;)

Jackie has lent me the Huffy! :eek:
See Posts 62-68 for original story and pix; http://www.cyclingforums.com/t-363004-15-4.html

Now that's a dangerous thing to do to a bike mechanic:
First, remove all Huffy stickers, replace with K-Mart Stickers.
Remove 24" wheels and Tyres, replace with 26" wheels and 85psi tyres.
Change brake callipers to 60mm drop.
Change the flat bars to 580mm bars with a 30mm rise.
Change brake levers to the four finger variety.
Remove the stand and steel bracket (angle grinder) from the chain stay, the 26" wheel now fits in easily!
Change 152mm One Piece Crankset to 170mm.
Change 28/38/48 chainwheels to 36/42/48 teeth.
Change the seat to a Selle Italia comfort saddle.
Fit Alloy Front Rack. (looking for cane basket)

See new pix, Basket :D :More Huffy mods:
New Longer flat bars, 620mm
New 3 finger brake levers
7 Speed Shimano twist grip shifters
7 Speed Shimano 11-28 MF-HG50 cassette
7 Speed KMC Z51 Chain
Change rear drop out to 133mm.

Jackie has lent me the Huffy! :eek:
See Posts 62-68 for original story and pix; http://www.cyclingforums.com/t-363004-15-4.html

Now that's a dangerous thing to do to a bike mechanic:
First, remove all Huffy stickers, replace with K-Mart Stickers.Remove 24" wheels and Tyres, replace with 26" wheels and 85psi tyres.
Change brake callipers to 60mm drop.
Change the flat bars to 580mm bars with a 30mm rise.
Change brake levers to the four finger variety.
Remove the stand and steel bracket (angle grinder) from the chain stay, the 26" wheel now fits in easily!
Change 152mm One Piece Crankset to 170mm.
Change 28/38/48 chainwheels to 36/42/48 teeth.
Change the seat to a Selle Italia comfort saddle.
Fit Alloy Front Rack. (for cane basket)
New Longer flat bars, 620mm
New 3 finger brake levers
7 Speed Shimano twist grip shifters
7 Speed Shimano 11-28 MF-HG50 cassette
7 Speed KMC Z51 Chain
Change rear drop out to 133mm.Well, she came back, spat her dummy and I had to take all my bits off and fix it up for her.

Don't you just love those K-Mart and Huffy people:

NEW STICKERS!!