Bicycle Mechanics - Upgrading drivetrain

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whatnoise
11-01-05, 10:53 PM
I am wanting to upgrade the drivetrain on my bike but I have very little knowledge on the subject.

The bike in question is a lowly Mongoose mountain bike bought at a local sporting-goods store. It is a 21 speed. Part of the reason for the upgrade is that the new wheelset I recently bought requires the purchase of a cassette instead of a freewheel. The other reason is the cheap low quality parts used on the rest of the drivetrain.

My plan is to upgrade the...
cassette
rear derailleur
chain
shifter
crankset
... while doing this I plan on removing the front derailleur as I really never use it.

Here are my questions.

1) Am I correct in thinking that my new wheelset is set up for an 8 or 9 speed cassette instead of a 7 speed? Here is the wheelset I have http://pricepoint.com/detail/12001-365_SHIDD2-3-Parts-75-Wheelsets/Shimano-Deore-Disc-Wheelset-w_-Sun-Rhyno-Lite-Rims.htm

2) Since I want to ditch the front derailleur I would think 9 speed would be better?

3) If I choose 9 speed is there a 9 speed specific crankset? (Specifically one with a single chain ring.)

Please add anything I may have overlooked and feel free to recommend budget priced parts.

Thanks for any and all help.

schang
11-01-05, 11:40 PM
Pretty sure the general consensus here would be that it's not really worth it to upgrade this bike to the extent that you are planning up upgrading it. You've listed at least a couple hundred bucks in new parts, for which price (with a little careful shopping) you could have a better used bike from ebay or craigslist for a lot less manual labor.

If you are determined to do it...

1) yes your wheelset should take 8 or 9 sp cassettes
2) # of speeds if you don't have an FD is really just a matter of taste, and the terrain you ride on. Doesn't matter too much, but unless you bike in a pretty flat area, I suggest a reasonably wide range, maybe 17 - 19 teeth total difference
3) not sure about 9 sp cranksets versus other
whatnoise
11-02-05, 12:18 AM
As far as upgrades not being worth it I never intended any when I purchased the bike. I started just replacing the wheels because they were smashed, however as with my car the upgrades continued.
So far I have...
Sun Rhynolite/Deore disc wheelset
Manitou Axel Comp 100mm fork
Avid mech bb7 front brake
Avid Flak Jacket cables
Avid Speed Dial 7 levers
FSA The Pig headset
Kore Lite stem
Kore Lite riser bars

So now I am left with the drivetrain and then I will transfer everything to a nice frame.

Thanks for your reply by the way.