B
Bob From Conshy
Guest
I have an 9 yr old, 7sp MTB w/ LX components. It's got a newer, high-end fork. No rust (cro-moly) or
major frame damage. However, the shifters, chain, freewhell (not cassette?) and chainrings
(biopacing) are badly worn and in need of replacing.
I went to my LBS to replace the shifters (rapidfire) and my only option in 7sp was Alivio. I fear
that I'll have to work my way down the Shimano foodchain with all my replacement parts. To avoid
this and get 9 speeds, I'm concidering a wholesale upgrade. Outside of the issue of whether this is
advisable or cost effective, I have some questions:
Is this upgrade possible? Is there anything about the bottom bracket width or rear wheel
drop-outs that prevent installing new 9sp components? What should I check or measure before
undertaking this endevore?
Is it advisable to go any lower than LX? Deore? I don't race or even ride super hard. However, I'm
used to the LX components working well and being super reliable. With the number of parts
necessary to effect the upgrade, I could use the dollar savings - as long as I'm not left with
junky/clunky stuff.
Are there cheaper/better alternatives than Shimano for some of the parts? I'm not interested in any
of the grip-shift variants.
Is the following list of parts complete? back wheel, cassette, front and rear deralliers, chain,
bottom bracket, crank, and shifters
major frame damage. However, the shifters, chain, freewhell (not cassette?) and chainrings
(biopacing) are badly worn and in need of replacing.
I went to my LBS to replace the shifters (rapidfire) and my only option in 7sp was Alivio. I fear
that I'll have to work my way down the Shimano foodchain with all my replacement parts. To avoid
this and get 9 speeds, I'm concidering a wholesale upgrade. Outside of the issue of whether this is
advisable or cost effective, I have some questions:
Is this upgrade possible? Is there anything about the bottom bracket width or rear wheel
drop-outs that prevent installing new 9sp components? What should I check or measure before
undertaking this endevore?
Is it advisable to go any lower than LX? Deore? I don't race or even ride super hard. However, I'm
used to the LX components working well and being super reliable. With the number of parts
necessary to effect the upgrade, I could use the dollar savings - as long as I'm not left with
junky/clunky stuff.
Are there cheaper/better alternatives than Shimano for some of the parts? I'm not interested in any
of the grip-shift variants.
Is the following list of parts complete? back wheel, cassette, front and rear deralliers, chain,
bottom bracket, crank, and shifters