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I am a total newbie.... I have questions, please be gentle!
I am going in to this post assuming that the following questions have
already been asked and answered elsewhere. Unfortunately, I can't find a source (at least, no source I understand) for the type of information I am looking for. So, if it is out there, please point me toward it. So, I am pretty much a begginer. I have owned a bike my whole life, and like most kids, it was my form of transportation when I was young. However, I have never done any kind of repair or upgrade work on my own. So, I wouldn't say I have any real technical understanding of bicycle physics or components. Without turning this in to a 10 page history of my life, I will give you a small amount of background. I have been an athlete (though not for a long while), and have decided to re-apply myself. Basically, I was goaded in to running in a mini-marathon in the spring. However, I need to be gentle on my knees and have decided to occassionally ride my bike in replacement of running. Plus, this is a good way to start some pre-triathlon training (also a part of next summers plants). The important part of this little scenario is that I have fallen in love with riding! I forgot how much I loved it when I was a kid... what a great way to get somewhere, excersize, and spend time with my kids (often in tow). So, that is the short story about how I started riding again. Now, for the important stuff. My bike. I didn't, and still don't, have the $1500-2000 I needed to buy the bike I want. And, my 20 year Schwinn Probe is exactly comfortable for any kind of road riding. So, I found a good deal on a "vintage" bike. I bought a Lotus Challenger circa '83(?), and love it. I did some test rides on new Trek, Specialized, and Burley bikes and, while they are significantly lighter, I actually prefer the "feel" of my Lotus. So, score one for me... I have the basics of a bike I like. Now, for the upgrades. I would like to lighten the bike a little, and I know their are newer forks, wheel sets, seatposts, handlebars, and other components that will be much lighter than my own. But, where to start? Can I actually convert my "vintage" parts to the new stuff? Are there brands I should keep in mind? Are there prerequesites for upgrading some parts vs. others? One thing that I really liked about the new bikes where the integrated brakes and shifters... is that even possible for my Lotus? As stated earlier, there is probably some easy to understand and fully comprehensive source for this information, but I haven't found it. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks, Ross |
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#2
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blah Wrote: I bought a Lotu Challenger circa '83(?), and love it. ... Now, for the upgrades. would like to lighte the bike a little, and I know their are newer forks, wheel sets seatposts handlebars, and other components that will be much lighter than my own But, where to start? Can I actually convert my "vintage" parts to th ne stuff? Are there brands I should keep in mind? Are there prerequesite fo upgrading some parts vs. others? One thing that I really liked abou th new bikes where the integrated brakes and shifters... is that eve possibl for my Lotus Ross Ross: It's probably not going to be cost-effective to try to upgrad the shifters. I assume the bike is 6-speed. You could squeeze 7-speed wheel in there without much problem, but the kind of shifter you are thinking of just never existed back in 7-speed days. To go t 8 or 9-speed would involve spreading out the rear triangle so that th significantly wider wheel would fit, new derailleur, new rear wheel new cassette, new chain, and of course the levers themselves. By th time you were done you'd have spent a fair amount of money unless yo could find the parts in good shape and really cheap. Otherwise, wouldn't worry too much about the shifters, rear wheel, freewheel chain, etc. What you can do is see if you can pick up a lighter and/o more aerodynamic front wheel (they're all the same width), maybe upgrad the tires, saddle, bars & stem, etc. You won't get dropped from th group training ride because your shifters are on the downtube instea of the brake levers. Ride the bike, lbe the chain, save your money and get to know the local bike racers (especially the ones who ride th same size bike as you!), so you can buy one of their bikes when they bu new ones next year -- packmagician |
#3
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"packmagician" wrote in message news blah Wrote: I bought a Lotus Challenger circa '83(?), and love it. ... Now, for the upgrades. I would like to lighten the bike a little, and I know their are newer forks, wheel sets, seatposts, handlebars, and other components that will be much lighter than my own. But, where to start? Can I actually convert my "vintage" parts to the new stuff? Are there brands I should keep in mind? Are there prerequesites for upgrading some parts vs. others? One thing that I really liked about the new bikes where the integrated brakes and shifters... is that even possible for my Lotus? Ross Ross: It's probably not going to be cost-effective to try to upgrade the shifters. I assume the bike is 6-speed. You could squeeze a 7-speed wheel in there without much problem, but the kind of shifters you are thinking of just never existed back in 7-speed days. To go to 8 or 9-speed would involve spreading out the rear triangle so that the significantly wider wheel would fit, new derailleur, new rear wheel, new cassette, new chain, and of course the levers themselves. By the time you were done you'd have spent a fair amount of money unless you could find the parts in good shape and really cheap. Otherwise, I wouldn't worry too much about the shifters, rear wheel, freewheel, chain, etc. What you can do is see if you can pick up a lighter and/or more aerodynamic front wheel (they're all the same width), maybe upgrade the tires, saddle, bars & stem, etc. You won't get dropped from the group training ride because your shifters are on the downtube instead of the brake levers. Ride the bike, lbe the chain, save your money, and get to know the local bike racers (especially the ones who ride the same size bike as you!), so you can buy one of their bikes when they buy new ones next year. -- packmagician I know that my local bike shop organizes some group rides. Perhaps I should tag along on a couple of these...see if I can make some friends with people my size. Good idea. I know that some things are a lot more expensive than others, and it sounds like serious drivetrain or shifter improvements are on the expensive side. I assume there are some other things I can upgrade to help lighten my bike. In addition to your suggestions above, is there a certain order I should try to follow? I have heard that the spinning weight (tires, wheels) is more important that static weight. Should I keep this in mind? I don't know if there is a certain order that I should upgrade different sections of the bike...if at all. Thanks for the help! Ross |
#4
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blah Wrote: "packmagician" wrote i message news I know that some things are a lot more expensive than others, and i sound like serious drivetrain or shifter improvements are on the expensiv side I assume there are some other things I can upgrade to help lighten m bike In addition to your suggestions above, is there a certain order should tr to follow? I have heard that the spinning weight (tires, wheels) i mor important that static weight. Should I keep this in mind? I don't kno i there is a certain order that I should upgrade different sections o th bike...if at all.I had a Cinelli of the same vintage that I raced until three years ago. Never upgraded the shifters, other than to go to 7-speed (new rear axle new freewheel, re-dished rear wheel). You will notice the bigges change by upgrading wheels/tires. Assuming that the bike fits (i. doesn't need a different stem, for example) next attend to the thing that connect you to the bike. Pedals/shoes, saddle, bars/tape. Th rest is mostly just a matter of personal preference, assuming th existing stuff is working well. Don't know what kind of equipment i on the bike now, so it's hard to say what would make the mos difference -- packmagician |
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