Is this possible/worthwhile?

KnightofCydonia
KnightofCydonia Posts: 957
edited March 2009 in MTB general
My brother has a barely used giant rock. it's from 2006 or 2007 and is a bit of a beast of a machine. i think it's

http://www.giant-bicycles.com/_upload_u ... ck_Red.jpg


I was thinking, is it possible to strip down to the frame, add rigid forks, a decent groupset (9 speed only, maybe even single speed) and good cranks/brakes, and turn it into something that I wouldn't be afraid to cycle into town on? I dunno if the geometry or frame is worth it but it would be nice if possible to add a good set of everything and make it rideable from a behemoth of weight & poor parts.
Start Weight 18st 13lbs March 2009
17st 10lbs August 2009
17st 4lbs October 2009
15st 12lbs December 2010

Final planned weight 12st 7lbs

Comments

  • dav1
    dav1 Posts: 1,298
    why not?

    End of the day with upgrades provided you have a reasonable starting point then its about what you get from the bike when your in the saddle rather then what people say about it when having a sneaky look.

    what it boils down to really is that could you get something better with the cash you are going to spend on the parts to do this.

    Also consider are you going to run into a brick wall? the lack of disc brake compatibility could be an issue of you ever decide the Vs have to go, and swapping the current headset for an Aheadset may be another cost to consider if its to be done by a shop.
    Giant TCR advanced 2 (Summer/race)
    Merlin single malt fixie (Commuter/winter/training)
    Trek superfly 7 (Summer XC)
    Giant Yukon singlespeed conversion (winter MTB/Ice/snow)

    Carrera virtuoso - RIP
  • KnightofCydonia
    KnightofCydonia Posts: 957
    pretty much what I'm thinking. I'd like to do something but I wonder if the frame is the best thing possible, especially when I can probably pick up a much better one, such as a cheap merlin or on-one for a smallish price which would be much more worthy of building up.
    Start Weight 18st 13lbs March 2009
    17st 10lbs August 2009
    17st 4lbs October 2009
    15st 12lbs December 2010

    Final planned weight 12st 7lbs
  • Raymondavalon
    Raymondavalon Posts: 5,346
    KnightofCydonia wrote:
    I was thinking, is it possible to strip down to the frame, add rigid forks, a decent groupset (9 speed only, maybe even single speed) and good cranks/brakes, and turn it into something that I wouldn't be afraid to cycle into town on?

    I did that very thing with a cheap Diamondback M40 I purchased through the local classifieds and I decided to make a commuter out of it. I did look in to the DMR Single Speed kit but decided to stick with the 27 speed due to the hilly terrain around me.
    To be honest, it's worked out very well and cheaper than most hybrids would have cost new.
    More info on it in the Your Rides Forum

    So, go for it, it's nice to have something that little bit different
    The Bouncer
    The Shaker

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