Trying to decide about upgrading what I have or buying new (long) - Page 2

Ok, have three pics. Hopefully they're useful. Can get more as needed/directed.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/william...7605850756212/

I ordered a starter bike toolset from Performance Bike.

Thank you,
-Bill

It looks as though you should be able to mount a 34t chainring (MEASURE, FIRST!) if you are so inclined ...

However, you're probably going to need to BORROW (or, buy) one of the PARK crank removal tools because I'm not sure if the one that comes in those kits can remove your crank from its BB spindle -- those plastic covers unscrew, counter-clockwise, BTW -- because I reckon it has a nut threaded onto the BB spindle.

There is a GOOD CHANCE that if you are handy and inclined (I guess I can't say that often enough), you can drill-out OR grind-off the "rivet" head (it's probably just "extra" metal on post that was mushroomed-down onto the backside of the chainring to hold it against the crank) ... but (presuming the "rivet" head is simply aluminum), drill a smaller hole PILOT HOLE using the existing depression, first ... you will then want to drill a larger hole to accept a bolt through the CENTER of the remaining post (you will be seating the replacement chainring on the post) ...

It was not uncommon to attach a granny on some cranks using a similar method except a spacer was subsequently needed to properly offset the chainring from those cranks AND your crank has posts cast into the arms.

When bike shops drilled the crankarms for an extra chainring, they generally threaded the holes BECAUSE they had the 'tap' & bolts handy ... you can drill through to the front of the crank and use longer bolts + washers + nuts.

If you AREN'T handy, then ...

I decided to take that bike on a sort of urban adventure today, doing a similar route to the one I take when going to school. Like my school commute, this one included a bus ride that gets me over the worst of the hills that seem so disconcerting. Since I'm a student, the bus ride is free.

I wasn't carrying anything except my Krypto locks (one U and one cable) and a small journal. Now, like always, I avoided what I see as the worst hills. But my ride took me into some hilly areas, which the bike seemed to tackle without much trouble on my part. Now, I wasn't carrying my fully laden backpack on this trip and that could make a difference.

Maybe I'm getting into better condition or the lack of a load was making a big difference. Also, I haven't tried the worst of the hills. But I was interested to see how little trouble I had with the lack of a very low gear today.