Hybrid Conversion advice

Laceinator

Hi all, I am currently in the process of converting my 2011 Carrera Kraken into a hybrid commuter.

I have changed the tyres and stuck on a rigid fork and am now looking for the next part to modify.
I wanted to get a 1x11 groupset but I was put off by the price.

Is it a worthwhile idea to remove 2 of my cogs to save some weight and if so is it as simple as removing them or would I need some further modifications to do so?

Thanks in advance

The Rookie

Do it how you want, easiest way is to remive two rings and use the front mech as a chain guide, or swap in a narrow wide ring.

ayjaycee

Sorry but I have just noticed this post (I don't usually look in 'Commuting). Just out of interest, what forks did you use to replace the originals? I ask because I was contemplating swapping the suspension forks on my hybrid.

The Rookie

To chip in, when I did the conversion I used Mosso forks, light, have enough give to be comfy and Look OK on an MTB

u33db

I've converted an MTB to a hybrid of sorts;

- Ditched suspension forks for rigid carbon.
- Ditched mtb tyres for some ultra thin gatorskins.

The Kraken already has decent enough components on it so i think the above is about as far as you can sensibly go.

After that its deminishing returns really as you spend more; I mean you could swap to a 1x11 but realistic you'll undergear the bike for fast riding for no real loss in weight....a couple rings don't weigh much.

I'd personally call it quits at tyres/fork and just build up your fitness (costs nothing) for more speed.

Or buy a road bike - should be possible to get a used one for about what you'd spend doing anymore to your Kraken.

fat daddy

u33db wrote:

After that its deminishing returns really as you spend more; I mean you could swap to a 1x11 but realistic you'll undergear the bike for fast riding for no real loss in weight....a couple rings don't weigh much. .

I went 2x10 to 1x10 on my Hybrid .... was the best mod I did.

sure the weight saving was only a mere 300g ... but the real benefit was my ride is a bunch of short relatively steep climbs and descents .... the usable gear range was at the bottom of the small ring top of the big ring .... I was forever changing between the big rings and having to avoid cross chaining .. It was annoying.

Switching to a single 44t up front and keeping the 11-28 at the rear massively improved the ride just shifting up and down, it stripped out all the totally unnecessary gearing and gave me one shifter, one perfect band

Love it

The Rookie

Funnily enough I'm running a 44 and a 12-28 on my commuter hybrid.

ayjaycee

u33db wrote:

- Ditched suspension forks for rigid carbon.

Same question I asked the OP - what forks did you put on it please?

jsisidore

u33db wrote:

- Ditched mtb tyres for some ultra thin gatorskins.

I found big ben balloon tyres to be a great upgrade, works as suspension and rolls well too.

u33db

ayjaycee wrote:

u33db wrote:

- Ditched suspension forks for rigid carbon.

Same question I asked the OP - what forks did you put on it please?

I used ones from carbon cycles;

http://www.carboncycles.cc/?s=0&t=0&rb=6&

Think they were only 100 quid but have last well...they've been on for over 3 years now.

Laceinator

Sorry didn't see all of the replies. I changed my forks to some from Carbon Cycles, same as the poster above. They made a big difference to the weight and feel of the bike. They were just over £100. Word of warning though, don't try and call Carbon Cycles. I contacted them about a size query and it cost me £17!

I agree with the posts above and have now stopped spending on this bike as it does all I need it to. I am currently looking at a road bike as a second bike though

Thanks for the opinions!

Laceinator

Oh, and Schwalbe Marathons are my tyre choice. Huge upgrade on the road from the Continental Mountain Kings that were fitted.