Upgrades to entry level MTBs and Comfort Bikes

artemidorus

Is the frame long enough now? - if not, you might be able to lengthen your stem. Going to drop bars also lengthens the bike considerably, although it would be expensive to do it properly.

28/28*26"=26inches is definitely not a low enough gear for loaded touring, but would do for supported touring. If you intend to do loaded camping touring, then I would put a 22/32/44 chainset on the front. Contrary to what you might hear, you would not need to change your FD/front shifter (you would need to drop the FD down the seat tube a bit), although the shifting would not be as crisp as with a matched FD.

ebay has lots of cheap bits if you need them, although you need to be careful that you're buying the right bit.

artemidorus

Many rear derailleurs would not offer this much capacity (42T would be needed). If yours does, you could simply replace the largest chainring rather than the whole chainset.

Little Jackie

It is amazing what you can do!

Now to improve your performance, try building up to a cadence of 90 - 95 per minute!

__________________
Jackie

Road Bike: Felt F100

XS Ladies Giant Upland (modified)- see it go!
http://www.cyclingforums.com/t363004.html

Little Jackie

It is amazing what you can do!

Now to improve your performance, try building up to a cadence of 90 - 95 per minute!

__________________
Jackie

Road Bike: Felt F100

XS Ladies Giant Upland (modified)- see it go!
http://www.cyclingforums.com/t363004.html

Little Jackie

It's good to see someone else finding out that it is not necessary to spend big bucks!

__________________
Jackie

Road Bike: Felt F100

XS Ladies Giant Upland (modified)- see it go!
http://www.cyclingforums.com/t363004.html

gclark8

The crankset on the Boulder does not have replaceable chainrings. A Shimano FC-TX70 crankset is 24/34/42 teeth and can be bought with 175mm arms, it will work OK with the existing Front Derailleur (CO51) and Bottom Bracket. I think they retail around $50.

Little jackie's suggestion of increasing your cadence, over time, is good advice. It will give you greater endurance.

__________________
Cheers,
George.

artemidorus

A crankset without replaceable chainrings!!!???!!! My God!
Now that's an incentive to look after your chain!

calvus

Hi George & Jackie,

Thanks for the info - what sort of cost for both parts and labour is involved in your project?

cheers
paul

gclark8

I have replied to Paul by PM as pricing varies from market to market and I do not want the topic to become commercial.

Essentially, Paul has a Giant Rincon and is looking to upgrade the drivetrain and tyres.

My reply suggested:
Shimano TX71 Crankset, 28/38/48
Shimano UN26 Bottom Bracket 122mm
Shimano FD-CO51 Front Derailleur
Shimano MF-HG50-7 11-28 Spin-on Freewheel
Conti 26x1.3 Sport Contact Tyres
Conti Tour 26 Tubes (Presta)

And a link for further inspiration: http://www.scottusa.com/category.php?UID=273

__________________
Cheers,
George.

calvus

Thanks for the great advice George,

You'd better be careful, some unscrupulous global manufacturers may track you down and hold you accountable for the sudden downturn in global new bicycle sales

Thanks again and cheers
paul

gclark8

I was asked on another forum about improving a Giant Alias for road use.
http://www.giantbicycles.net/au/030...007&model=10066
This is an expensive purpose built mountain bike and normally I would not recommend modifying a bike of this standard due to its high cost of components, weight and geometry.

My suggestions:
Conti Sport Contact Tyres, 26x1.3
Conti Tour 26 (Slim) Tubes, 36mm Presta Valves
SRAM PG950 11-23 Cassette, 9 speed
Shimano FC-M531 Deore Crankset, 26/36/48 teeth, 170 or 175mm.
Shimano BB-ES51-AK Bottom Bracket

Riding position will need to be modified to spread the rider's weight more evenly over both wheels.
A zero (or forward) offset seat post, an adjustable stem, narrow flat bars will all need to be considered.
The Lockout on the front forks will help reduce wasted pedalling energy.
Pedals, the use of cleats or toe clips will help to maintain a consistent foot position on the pedals.

__________________
Cheers,
George.

gclark8

22/10 Edit: Mavic now have wheels with MTB Disc Brake Hubs and 700c rims, these would be useful for your Alias, see: http://www.mavic.com/ewb_pages/p/pr...&gamme=asphalte

Local supplier: http://www.velo.net.au/content/specials.html#wheels

__________________
Cheers,
George.

xxamr_corpxx

A few upgrades to my old Peugeot Gabrielle.

Swapped the original stem for something much higher.
Replaced 52/42 crank with 48/38/28 crankset
Replaced Shimano 600 RD short cage with Shimano Altus RD long cage
Replaced the original no-name seat with a nice plushy gel saddle

The resulting riding position is much higher and because Shimano 600 brake levers aren't good at the hoods, the new position is more upright than a road bike but less upright than a hybrid and still quite aerodynamic and significantly more comfortable.

__________________
2004 Trek 1000
2005 Giant Elwood
ACE Folding Bicycle

xxamr_corpxx

And a few pics of the Peugeot's stem swap. The first one is after, the second one is before.

Attached Thumbnails

   

__________________
2004 Trek 1000
2005 Giant Elwood
ACE Folding Bicycle