A newbie with some Shimano questions, please be gentle!

pete236
pete236 Posts: 204
edited January 2008 in MTB workshop & tech
Evening all!

My bike has been neglected for the last few years after learning to drive, but having no-where to safely park a 70's classic car at college means the bike is out again!
It's nothing much - a Giant 'rincon', about 4 years old, but its the best bike i've had and am quite fond of it really :oops: so looking to keep it going as long as possible! Its done quite a lot of miles with (i'm ashamed to say) practically no maintenance. As a result most of the drivetrain is knackerd. Gears don't always change, chain slips on the teeth etc.
Christmas has been and gone with the wonderful cash in an envelope presents from Grandfather, Aunts and Uncles so am planning on treating the bike to some new bits.

This is how bad it gets . . . missing teeth here and there on the cassette and chainrings, rest of the teeth are badly hooked and worn. The chain must be inches longer than it should be! At each turn of the cranks there is a slight creaking which is getting worse with use (no suprises there!)
One more thing - I know a fair bit about taking cars apart but when it comes to bikes I know nothing! No idea about what will need replacing beyond the obvious - chain, rings and cassette - so please be gentle!

Now the questions . . . with a budget of £300 give or take, what makes or types should I be looking at? There seems to be a lot of talk about Sram so I'm guessing thats a good make? I'm looking to get the best possible for price. I guess I could just get standard replacements, but if I'm going to have it all apart I might as well upgrade if I can!

Any thoughts, hints or tips will be very welcome! Can take pics if it will be any use? Look forward to any replies! :D

All the best! Pete.
One fine day in the middle of the night, two dead men got up to fight. Back to back they faced each other, drew their swords and shot each other.

Comments

  • supersonic
    supersonic Posts: 82,708
    You dont need 300 quid! I reckon 100 or less will easily have you going. You need to spend roughly in line with the bike quality, and 300 is a lot for what is a budget bike. Have to weigh that up against a new bike! I do not think its worth upgrading too much, the money would be better off spent on new forks and wheels or again, a new bike.

    As a minimum you need a new chain, cassette and chainset. The shifters and mechs are probably fine, and will be 8spd units. Going on this I woud get an 8spd LX cassette for 20 quid (from CRC). Add to that a SRAM PC58 or 48 chain, and a Shimano Deore crankset. Now with the crankset it will depend on the bottom bracket you have fitted. I will need a little more info on your set up here! However the newer crank has an integrated axle and external BB (comes as a package).
    GT ZASKAR CARBON TEAM

    VOODOO CANZO

    Come and see me at https://www.facebook.com/biketyke/
  • pete236
    pete236 Posts: 204
    supersonic, thanks for the reply!
    Sounds pretty good to me - plenty of change in hand! Was thinking of new forks at some point . . .
    The only info I've got is from the Giant website - the specs might have changed since I got mine in '03 but it can't have been too much (I hope!)
    Taken from the GIant website:

    SIZES 14", 17'', 19'', 21'', 23''
    FRAME ALUXX aluminium, Fluid Formed
    FORK Suntour XCM 80mm travel, lock out
    SHOCK N/A
    HANDLEBAR Aluminium riser
    STEM Aluminium ahead
    SEAT POST Aluminium
    SADDLE GIANT
    PEDALS Steel with resin body
    SHIFTERS Shimano EZ Fire 24 speed
    FRONT MECH Shimano C50
    REAR MECH Shimano Alivio
    BRAKES Tektro linear pull
    BRAKE LEVER Shimano
    CASSETTE Shimano HG30 11-32
    CHAIN KMC Z7
    CRANKS Shimano TX70 24/34/42
    BOTTOM BRACKET RPM cartridge
    RIMS Aluminium
    HUBS Formula
    SPOKES Black stainless steel
    TYRES Kenda 26x1.95''

    I'm quite fond of the bike and the frame fits me pretty well so will keep that at least. Once or twice I did think about gradually replacing bits but never got round to doing the research! I know itmakes more sense to start with something better in the 1st place but then I've never been one for sense (if that makes sense?)

    Thanks again! Pete.
    One fine day in the middle of the night, two dead men got up to fight. Back to back they faced each other, drew their swords and shot each other.
  • supersonic
    supersonic Posts: 82,708
    If you could find the length of the bottom bracket axle, we could recommend a direct replacement that uses that length (they vary from model to model). If you take the work on yourself, you'll need the tools, and if you have mechanical exp, its pretty easy. Good starter kits from 30 quid, a sound investment. So...

    20 quid for cassette
    10 quid for chain
    30 quid for chainset
    30 quid for toolset
    10 for cables (always good to replace them)

    Thats a a ton, with tools to see you through years of tinkering.
    GT ZASKAR CARBON TEAM

    VOODOO CANZO

    Come and see me at https://www.facebook.com/biketyke/
  • pete236
    pete236 Posts: 204
    Right, finally got that measured up - trying to find a metric ruler is like the needle in a haystack job!

    Bottom Bracket Shell: 73mm
    Bottom Bracket Axle: 113mm

    Would like to have a go myself if only to learn what its all about, and as you say tools will see me through for years!

    Thanks! Pete.
    One fine day in the middle of the night, two dead men got up to fight. Back to back they faced each other, drew their swords and shot each other.
  • supersonic
    supersonic Posts: 82,708
    This is what I'd get:

    http://www.cyclesense.co.uk/products.ph ... 0s109p1098

    Dont worry that it says 9spd, it works perfectly well with an 8spd chain and cassette and will fit on your existing BB. Very very good crank for that money, not worth spending less really.

    Add to it this toolkit:

    http://www.sjscycles.co.uk/product.asp? ... rc=froogle

    And you have all you need!
    GT ZASKAR CARBON TEAM

    VOODOO CANZO

    Come and see me at https://www.facebook.com/biketyke/
  • pete236
    pete236 Posts: 204
    Brilliant! Thanks very much! Going to splash out on a pair of forks and pedals while I'm at it - something I fancied doing a few years ago but didn't have funds for. I've seen some good reviews of the Marzocchi MX Pro and some on here have recommended them - plus they're in a sale!

    Forks: http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Mode ... elID=13462
    Pedals (just a bit of bling really): http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Mode ... delID=3177

    Just me being overcautious but would like to check I've got the right bits in mind!
    Cassette: http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Mode ... delID=1189
    Cables: http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Mode ... delID=1594
    Chain: http://www.cyclesense.co.uk/products.php?show=2518
    Cranks- have gone for 170mm: http://www.cyclesense.co.uk/products.php?show=1098
    Tool Kit: http://www.sjscycles.co.uk/src/froogle/ ... -14426.htm

    Thanks very much for your help! :D:D:D
    One fine day in the middle of the night, two dead men got up to fight. Back to back they faced each other, drew their swords and shot each other.
  • supersonic
    supersonic Posts: 82,708
    Everything is fine there! Consider the RS Tora fork too, as on my Ruckus and Idrive, great fork. Also Wellgo pedals - they make the V8, and do a replica for half that price!
    GT ZASKAR CARBON TEAM

    VOODOO CANZO

    Come and see me at https://www.facebook.com/biketyke/
  • pete236
    pete236 Posts: 204
    Ah fantastic! Thanks very much! That's everything I need and the bits I was hankering after years ago! :D Thanks again :D
    One fine day in the middle of the night, two dead men got up to fight. Back to back they faced each other, drew their swords and shot each other.

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