Mountain Biking - Raleigh M50 Upgrades

I have an 1999 Raleigh M50 7 spd, with Shimano Altus components. I used to trail ride approx 50 mi/week. About 5 years ago I had an an accident with a table saw and lost a good part of a digit, work got busy, and family activities seemed to get in the way of rides. I recently re-connected with a friend and we started to ride again 2 days a week. The last ride we went on my rear derailer self destructed, which started me on an upgrade path.

I purchased a Shimano Alivio RD-M410 rear derailer, a new rear derailer mount, new shift cables and a Shimano HG-50 7/8 speed chain. Since I have some time on my hand and the bike is out of operation I started to read and learn about bottom brackets, front derailers, cranks and chainrings.

I have front shifting issues going from middle to granny gear. My chainrings are showing wear with the middle ring missing 3-4 teeth, and the inner 1-2. The Altus front derailer is a e-type, the crank uses welded chainrings and the bottom bracket is 68x116 square shaft.

After doing some googling I came up with these front components and was hoping I could get some comments if they seem like a good fit and more importantly will they work.

SHIMANO DEORE FC-M540 CRANKSET 170mm 44, 32, 22
SHIMANO BB-ES25 BOTTOM BRACKET 68 X 113MM
SHIMANO LX FD-M580 FRONT DERAILLEUR top pull

You might also just consider buying a new bike, that was a $300 bike 10 years ago. If you're really wanting to just install a new front derailleur and crank/bb, at least you're not going too expensive. However, the crank you spec'd uses a 121 or 126 mm spindle length for the bottom bracket (I'll assume your bottom bracket shell is 68mm wide), for a 47.5 or 50mm chainline respectively. The front derailleur sounds good but depends how much you're looking to pay.

It's possible you might just need your front derailleur adjusted (front derailleurs are fairly durable and there's not much to them if they worked before and haven't been damaged, although am no fan of e-types in any case).

That new chain may have problems with the old cassette depending on how worn it is (it'll skip on the teeth if it's too worn).

+1 to new bike

wall mart/off wall shop/crap

invest your money where it counts!

I would love to get a new bike.. But money is tight thus the upgrades.

I've adjusted and had a bike shop adjust the front derailer to no avail. I'm thinking the chainring or something with the e-bracket is causing the shift issue. For little $$ I can upgrade the derailer, crank and chainrings..

BTW I bought this bike from a small hometown shop. It has treated me well and for the riding I do. 5 years ago and 20 pounds lighter, I could out climb, out spin, generally go faster than my buddy who had a bike 5x times more expensive than my M50.. I told him when he could beat me up a hill I'd take off my kick stand..

Here is a follow up. Instead of saving for a new bike I decided to upgrade the M50's drive train. I spent a bit more than I wanted but every thing is working well. Here is my final parts list with pictures. This was a great learning experience since it's been a long time since I've wrenched a bicycle. Thanks for everyone's input..

Shimano Deore M540 175mm Octalink Crankset with 44, 32, 22 chain rings
Shimano ES51 68x113 Bottom Bracket (the 121 measured a 54mm Chainline)
Crankset (http://tinyurl.com/m50-crankset)

Shimano DeoreLX FD-M580 Front Derailer (31.8mm)
Front Derailer (http://tinyurl.com/m50-front-derailer)

Shimano HG50 6,7,8 speed chain
Chain (http://tinyurl.com/m50-drive-train)

Shimano Alivio RD-M410 Rear Derailer
Rear Derailer (http://tinyurl.com/m50-rear-derailer)


#43 Derailer hanger (http://wheelsmfg.com/content/view/585/27/)