Upgrading the commuter
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Upgrading the commuter
Postby Whorl » Wed Apr 02, 2014 8:16 pm
I am currently using a 2012 Trek 7.3 FX bike for commuting duties:
http://www.trekbikes.com/au/en/bikes/20 ... rek/7_3_fx
The bike has had a few changes from stock, but nothing in the major componentry. After hitting 2000km's on it in the last few weeks, and dealing with some wet weather commuting, I'm looking at upgrading the drivetrain and BB. Bike is currently specced with MTB gear, and am looking to change to a road groupset (2x10) with flatbar shifters. Possibly looking at Tiagra or above setup. Not sure on SRAM gear since I've never used it, but I'm presuming this would also be an option.
Does anyone have experience with doing something like this, and any notes that are worthwhile to keep in mind? I'm presuming any English threaded BB should fit, so long as I select a matching chainset.
Lastly, I'm also looking to change the wheelset to something a bit more sturdy than stock. Would there be much of a noticeable difference between a heavier wheelset or lighter for commuting duties?
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Re: Upgrading the commuter
Postby rangersac » Wed Apr 02, 2014 9:10 pm
Bottom Bracket: Yes any English threaded will be fine provided it matches the chainset. I'd steer away from external bearing types though unless you run mudguards as they won't last as long as a internal cartridge type if they are getting hammered by water.
Regarding wheels, something a bit heavier really won't make much difference on the commute. My philosophy with a commuter is you want something that's study and reliable since you are going to be riding it in all weather, and invariably carrying a bit of weight in addition to yourself. Far better to lose a minute on your commute then continually having to true wheels thanks to the rigorous of the grind.
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Re: Upgrading the commuter
Postby find_bruce » Wed Apr 02, 2014 9:23 pm
I do agree with keeping to 8 speed, but I am a retrogrough
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Upgrading the commuter
Postby queequeg » Wed Apr 02, 2014 9:43 pm
It was a pretty cheap changeover, and by keeping it a triple I did not have to change the shifters. That is when it gets a bit more expensive.
The road drivetrain was much smoother than the clunky non-series stuff that came on the bike.
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Re: Upgrading the commuter
Postby Whorl » Wed Apr 02, 2014 9:59 pm
I have a few more things to think on now and perhaps do a bit more reading before I make any decisions on exactly which path I'll take in changing over components.
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Re: Upgrading the commuter
Postby 98octane » Wed Apr 02, 2014 11:58 pm
I commute on a 2012 Trek 7.6fx, which has just clocked 10,000km. I ride in all weather every weekday, mostly on shared paths including some very rough timber and cobbled stones parts.
It has its original Deore drive train. I have replaced the chain once, and will shortly need to replace the rear cluster and chain again. Chainrings have plenty of life left.
It's biggest weakness as a commuter is its wheels. They are Bontrager 24-spoke 700Cs. I've broken several spokes on the rear wheel and need to true it every 6 months.
I run a Continental GP4000 on the rear (I get around 5000km per tyre) and the front still has the original Bontrager Race All-Weathers. I rarely get flats - less than yearly.
I prefer speed over durability, so it's been a great bike for my purposes.
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Re: Upgrading the commuter
Postby Whorl » Thu Apr 03, 2014 6:02 am
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Re: Upgrading the commuter
Postby rangersac » Thu Apr 03, 2014 9:16 am
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Re: Upgrading the commuter
Postby jacks1071 » Thu Apr 03, 2014 1:39 pm
We run 28mm tyres on our Tandem which has the same width rim as the Como. We've ridden it on heaps of dirt roads etc without issue.Whorl wrote:Wheels are something I am also definitely replacing. I was looking at something like the pro-lite como or garda. Tossing up staying with 32c or dropping to 28c.
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Re: Upgrading the commuter
Postby Calvin27 » Thu Apr 03, 2014 2:46 pm
Cushy dirt bike
Very cushy dirt bike
Bike crushed by car (RIP)
No brakes bike
Ebike
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Re: Upgrading the commuter
Postby find_bruce » Thu Apr 03, 2014 2:54 pm
You wash your mouth out - wheels, drivetrain, brakes & SWMBO just sees it as the old bikeCalvin27 wrote:Wheel + drivetrain changeover is getting pretty close to a new bike I'd say.
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Re: Upgrading the commuter
Postby Whorl » Thu Apr 03, 2014 2:55 pm
But not as satisfying as changing to exactly what you want. It should be a fun (and possibly frustrating) venture, but I enjoying getting hands on with this sort of stuff.Calvin27 wrote:Wheel + drivetrain changeover is getting pretty close to a new bike I'd say.
Really I was interested in people who had played around with road groupsets and flatbar shifters.
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Re: Upgrading the commuter
Postby mitchy_ » Thu Apr 03, 2014 3:03 pm
i cant comment on shimano side of things, but all sram 10 speed (mountain and road) plays nicely.Whorl wrote:But not as satisfying as changing to exactly what you want. It should be a fun (and possibly frustrating) venture, but I enjoying getting hands on with this sort of stuff.Calvin27 wrote:Wheel + drivetrain changeover is getting pretty close to a new bike I'd say.
Really I was interested in people who had played around with road groupsets and flatbar shifters.
i originally had X9 flat bar shifters with sram rival gear. i then changed to drop bars with sram red shifters and still plays just as nicely.
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Re: Upgrading the commuter
Postby Duck! » Thu Apr 03, 2014 7:57 pm
I disagree with you. Chain width doesn't really have that much of an effect on durability. The materials they're made from and various surface treatments are a much bigger factor. For example, anything in that HG-50 Tiagra/Deore family, whether it's 8, 9 or 10-sp. is all basically the same stuff, so subjected to the same conditions will wear at the same rate.rangersac wrote:One other argument for keeping your 8 speed drivetrain rather than switching to a 10 speed, is that 8 speed chains and cogs are slightly thicker so tend to last longer than their 10 speed equivalents.
If you're thinking about the flex the chain goes through as it shifts across the gears, bear in mind that as the sprocket count increases, they get closer together as well as thinner, so there's no greater lateral load on the narrower chain.
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Re: Upgrading the commuter
Postby Whorl » Mon Apr 21, 2014 4:50 pm
Very satisfied with the outcome! Much smoother shifting and breaking, and rolls very nicely now.
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