Bicycle Mechanics - Should I convert?

Hello all,

I am building an old Rincon (old style w/road bike frame) as a commuter, and I have been wanting to convert from the traditional cantilevers that are on the bike now to direct pull for better braking. Fortunately, I have a friend that is getting rid of a wal-mart *special* Kent full suspension MTB with direct pulls, but his brake levers are attached to the shifters so I would have to replace those as well. The problems lies in that I am a n00b and not firmiliar with different components in as far as what is a good (or reliable) component brand or type and what is not, and I do not want to replace what might be good hardware with bad. My Rincon currently has dia compe brakes and shimano shifters and derailers. My friends bike has all shimano components.

So, I come to the great collective wisdom that is BikeForums for advice, and thanks in advance for any that you might be willing to provide.

I can't find any part numbers on most things so here are pictures what I am considering replacing:

http://usera.imagecave.com/deputyjones/convert/100_0312-copy.jpg
http://usera.imagecave.com/deputyjones/convert/100_0313-copy.jpg
http://usera.imagecave.com/deputyjones/convert/100_0314-copy.jpg

Here is what I am considering replacing those parts with:

http://usera.imagecave.com/deputyjones/convert/100_0307-copy.jpg
http://usera.imagecave.com/deputyjones/convert/100_0308-copy.jpg
http://usera.imagecave.com/deputyjones/convert/100_0309-copy.jpg
http://usera.imagecave.com/deputyjones/convert/100_0310-copy.jpg
http://usera.imagecave.com/deputyjones/convert/100_0311-copy.jpg

again, thanks in advance.

I am building an old Rincon (old style w/road bike frame) as a commuter, and I have been wanting to convert from the traditional cantilevers that are on the bike now to direct pull for better braking. Fortunately, I have a friend that is getting rid of a wal-mart *special* Kent full suspension MTB with direct pulls, but his brake levers are attached to the shifters so I would have to replace those as well. The problems lies in that I am a n00b and not firmiliar with different components in as far as what is a good (or reliable) component brand or type and what is not, and I do not want to replace what might be good hardware with bad. My Rincon currently has dia compe brakes and shimano shifters and derailers. My friends bike has all shimano components.
This sounds like a worthwhile upgrade. The Rincon is a pretty decent frame (though by no means a "road bike.") The parts on the Walmart bike are a lot newer and better, though my guess is the Walmart frame is junk.

Sheldon "Best Of Both" Brown

Holy moly, like THE Sheldon Brown from sheldonbrown.com? I had no idea you were a member here. Thanks for the reply, and for the awesome website that I reference all the time :)

If you are going to replace your components with compenents off of a Walmart bike I wouldn't do it. Anything you buy at Walmart is probably crap and the components you have on the bike in the pictures are perfectly good. Also, just because a part is made by Shimano doesn't mean it is very good- department store bikes have shimano components but they are the really low-end stuff.

Swap the parts and you will definitely get brakes that are easier to adjust. If they are still not good enough for you buy better pads. If things dont please you, swap them back again.

I'm going to agree with matimeo.

I can't identify the particular linear-pull arches in your picture for sure so take this for what it's worth. All linear pull brakes aren't created equal. The lowest end ones, like are commonly found on department store bikes, SUCK! None of the adjustments work consistently.

If you want to make the change, and I agree that t's a worthwhile move, buy yourself a new set of Shimano Alivio arches. They only cost about $12.00 per side. I can't describe how much easier they are to set up and to keep in tune. If you put any value on your time at all, they are well worth the additional cost.

I'm going to agree with matimeo.

I can't identify the particular linear-pull arches in your picture for sure so take this for what it's worth. All linear pull brakes aren't created equal. The lowest end ones, like are commonly found on department store bikes, SUCK! None of the adjustments work consistently.

If you want to make the change, and I agree that t's a worthwhile move, buy yourself a new set of Shimano Alivio arches. They only cost about $12.00 per side. I can't describe how much easier they are to set up and to keep in tune. If you put any value on your time at all, they are well worth the additional cost.

Thanks for the replies everyone. I started the process last night and everything seemed to go pretty smoothly. I am headed to the LBS for new cables today.

Thanks also for the suggestion on the the arches. If these don't work out I will upgrade to those.

Do it.
The Shimano GS 100 parts you have are about as low-end as they can get and still have part numbers.
IMO, v-brakes aren't any better than decent, well set up cantis, but they are MUCH easier to set up well and keep that way. Your DRs should work with the new shifter/brakes, so you don't need to swap them to match; of course, you can if you want to.
If you hadn't mentioned the source of the doner bike there'd be no issue. I don't care WHERE my upgrade parts come from. If they are better than what I have, on they go.
Top
(whose LBS is usually the dump:D )

Well, I have everything moved over now except the DR's which I decided not to mess with. I like the shifters quite a lot more than the old ones. Even before adjustment and with crappy pads I like the brakes better already (seems like I get more braking power with less effort). As an extra benefit it forced me to replace my 10 year old cables and housings too, and taught me a lot by doing it myself.

I am sure this is not a completely original tip, but I was able to remove the factory installed handlebar grips by sliding on old piece of housing under them and then dripping some gun oil (Hoppes #9) down the side of the housing. Slid right off.

Thanks again for the replies.

I am glad the project is going well for you. It makes sense to practice on old or low ends parts at first. XTR would have made a great bike. If you screwed up it would have also made an expensive mistake.

I have an old, 1990 Deore equipped, Specialized MTB. My son's low end Trek with Shimano 200 series shifts just about as well as mine does. Shimano makes very competent low end componets. The only reason people shun them here is snob appeal. Functionally, your new ride is just fine. Congratulations and good luck on the new ride.

Tim