I have a 1999 Topanga SE with triple 8 speed Acera that I need to swap out
the crankarms for 170 rather than 175 for a fit issue. I use this as a
commuting bike so I'm not into spending lots of $$ on it but would like to
get something if I spend any money that's better quality than the Acera. New
or used. What's the best reasonable priced options for a utility based
upgrade with insulation against obsolesce. Better to stay with a square tape
bb, or go with shimano or isis. Is one bb preferred for mtn bikes. Would
the Acera 8 Front & rear der work with 9 speed chains, cassette or
chainrings?
As I see it looks that the chainrings are riveted so I'd need to get a new
crankset. Want to confirm that? If so it would seem to me to be better to
get one that I can replace the chainrings in the future without replacing
the crankset. If I get a "9 speed" crankset. Does that mean I should use a 9
speed chain & get a 9 speed cassette for chain spacing even though I have 8
cassette on there now.
It currently has a shimano square taper lp-27 bb in there from 99. I think
it's 110 but again want to confirm that. Seems that more of the triples uses
a 113 bb.
I'd also like to get a 48 x 36 x 26 chainrings rather than the 44 x 32 x 22
currently on there. Thus far I've only seen the Sugino XD-600, Shimano M530
or Bontrager as options. But the shimano uses a different octalink bb, the
Bontrager isis and the Sugino while it uses square taper requires a 113 for
135 mtn bike frames. Does the Diamondback have that?
It currently has a 11-32. Since I use it more on the road I was also
thinking of putting a 11-28 on there with either the cranksets above.
Thanks for any helpful advice before I look around any used or older but
compatible parts.
Barb