Dawes Galaxy modification

[Robin Norton]

I love my Galaxy (six yrs old) but I'd like a more upright position than the dropped bars allow.
Also the brakes (side-pull cantilevers) with hooded levers are uncomfortable and inefficient on a
long descent. I'd like to fit v-brakes and straight bars with "horns" and a variable angle stem. I'm
wondering whether to have separate brake and gear levers or to have a combined mechanism. Are the
latter prone to problems? any suggestions on this whole operation? Will I rrun into any problems.
I'll get my local good bike shop to do the work. Rob N

[GearóId Ó Laoi/]

My experience is that the combined Shimano mechanisms (Vs plus gear shifters) are extremely
reliable. I've never had one give trouble and I've used them for years. V brakes are good but can be
squealy. What I would really recommend is separate Shimano shifters and Magura hydraulic brakes.
They are fantastically reliable and almost maintenance free. They don't squeak and have no toe-in
problem or anything like that. I've a pair on my going to work bike for more than 5 years and I've
not had to service them apart from replacing the blocks which only takes a second.

[Zog The Undenia]

Robin Norton wrote:

> I love my Galaxy (six yrs old) but I'd like a more upright position than the dropped bars allow.
> Also the brakes (side-pull cantilevers) with hooded levers are uncomfortable and inefficient on a
> long descent. I'd like to fit v-brakes and straight bars with "horns" and a variable angle stem.
> I'm wondering whether to have separate brake and gear levers or to have a combined mechanism. Are
> the latter prone to problems? any suggestions on this whole operation? Will I rrun into any
> problems. I'll get my local good bike shop to do the work. Rob N
>
>
OK, but buy the complete Deore V-brake set including levers (only £30 including cables from Wiggle).
Your existing levers won't work with V-brakes. The Deore brakes are less likely to squeal than the
more expensive "parallel push" brakes, because they don't have all the exposed pivots.

How many speeds does the Galaxy have? If it's 7 or 8 speed you can often find Shimano DX or XT
thumbshifters on eBay. The XT ones will do 8 speed, they last forever, have about 4 moving parts and
personally I like them a lot more than Rapidfire.

[Mark]

"Robin Norton" wrote ...
> I love my Galaxy (six yrs old) but I'd like a more upright position than
the
> dropped bars allow. Also the brakes (side-pull cantilevers) with hooded levers are uncomfortable
> and inefficient on a long descent. I'd like to fit v-brakes and straight bars with "horns" and a
> variable
angle
> stem. I'm wondering whether to have separate brake and gear levers or to have a combined
> mechanism. Are the latter prone to problems? any suggestions on this whole operation? Will I rrun
> into any problems.
I'll
> get my local good bike shop to do the work. Rob N
>
A set of "mustache bars" made by Nitto (Japanese firm) would give you a touch more comfort than
straight bars with with "horns", as well as a wider range of hand position choices.

Nitto also make a stem called the Dirt Drop which is very tall and is commonly used to provide
riders of touring bikes like the Galaxy with a more upright riding position. It's not variable, but
it does provide a very nice upright riding position.

I don't know who the UK importer for these items is, but if you look at www.rivendellbicycles.com
you'll be able to at least view the items in question. Your LBS should be able to help you find a UK
source for Nitto products, or order them for you.

The Shimano combined shifter/brake lever is apparently quite good, but not repairable if anything
goes wrong.

I would suggest Moustache bars, the Dirt Drop stem, hooded brake levers (very comfy on the M-bars),
bar-end shifters (the Shimano Dura-Ace can be switched from index to friction, making maintenance
less of an issue), and either a better quality cantilever brake (Avid?) or a V-brake. Not cheap, but
very comfortable to ride, good looking, good quality kit.
--
mark

[Iarocu]

"Robin Norton" <nortonrj@esatclear.ie> wrote in message news:<bssiv4$ks1$1@dorito.esatclear.ie>...
> I love my Galaxy (six yrs old) but I'd like a more upright position than the dropped bars allow.
> Also the brakes (side-pull cantilevers) with hooded levers are uncomfortable and inefficient on a
> long descent. I'd like to fit v-brakes and straight bars with "horns" and a variable angle stem.
> I'm wondering whether to have separate brake and gear levers or to have a combined mechanism. Are
> the latter prone to problems? any suggestions on this whole operation? Will I rrun into any
> problems. I'll get my local good bike shop to do the work. Rob N

I fitted an extra high stem to my Galaxy. Gives a more upright position but keeps the variety of
positions drop bars give. I,ve still got the dodgy canti brakes. But you can get Diacompe 287 brake
levers which are drop bar levers compatible with V brakes. Iain

[Dave Kahn]

Zog The Undeniable <ggg@hhh.net> wrote in message news:<bsu4e2$kbi$1@news6.svr.pol.co.uk>...

> OK, but buy the complete Deore V-brake set including levers (only £30 including cables from
> Wiggle). Your existing levers won't work with V-brakes.

As Robin is replacing his drop handlebar with a straight he will necessarily be using different
levers in any case.

--
Dave...

[Zog The Undenia]

Dave Kahn wrote:

> As Robin is replacing his drop handlebar with a straight he will necessarily be using different
> levers in any case.
>
A good point, and I've just thwarted any possibility of selling him my old DX levers :-(