Hybrid Bicycles - Shimano STX-RC on a 99 Giant Innova help

My neighbor moved out and threw out this bike:

http://img29.imageshack.us/img29/3729/fixbike.th.jpg (http://img29.imageshack.us/i/fixbike.jpg/)

http://www.bikepedia.com/QuickBike/BikeSpecs.aspx?Year=1999&Brand=Giant&Model=Innova&Type=bike

Its in awesome condition and missing a few parts that I have spares of. I want to fix it and give it to my friend to commute around with.

Oddly the 8 speed chain and front stx-rc derailleur are there yet the rear derailleur is missing.

Ebay/my local bike shops do not have a rear stx-rc derailleur.
My question is, what shifters and compatible derailleur would you guys suggest I throw on it?
I know nothing about selecting parts and compatibility among shimano parts :(

many thx

I would chose a Shimano Deore rear derailleur, they are 9spd, but 8spd works just fine with it, lots of people do that. I plan on upgrading my Sirrus to a Deore rear derailleur someday myself, and its 8 speed. Or you could get a shimano Alivio rear derailleur, Should work fine unless your friend plans on offroading: http://www.jensonusa.com/store/product/RD407A02-Shimano+Alivio+M410+Rear+Derailleur.aspx

Or, if your friend likes gripshift, here are more SRAM made, shimano compatible shifters, http://www.jensonusa.com/store/product/SL308A00-Sram+Mrx+Comp+Shifter.aspx you would have to buy an 8 speed rear and index or "microfriction" front. I would go with the microfriction front if gripshift are ok, it lets you trim your front derailleur so you just about never get chain rub!

I link to Jensonusa becaus I deal with them a LOT, and seem to always get decent prices there. E-bay is another choice, but especially shifters, why ebay if you can buy brand new gripshifters for $20 or less from a reputable dealer? I would try to find a DEORE rear derailleur on ebay though, Cant seem to find many online right now, from the dealers I check at least.

Good luck, and you sound like one heck of a friend :)

ah thx for the advice im going to go those shifters you suggested and that probably that Alivio rear derailleur

I also have these front derailleurs which i might replace that stx-rc one with:
shimano xtr fd-m952
shimano deore lx fd-m563

Those front derailleurs might not fit that bike, the frame looks to be a bottom pull cable routing, and most lx and xtr front derailleurs I have seen are top pull. If the stx-rc is in good shape, I would leave it be. Probably works just fine!

the front deore is bottom pull

thx for all the help man

anytime! I love fixing bikes, it is a lot of fun for me. I wish there was more money in it, but I have thought about putting an ad in craigslist come late winter, offer good prices on tune up/overhauls. Shops charge $150 here for an overhaul, I could charge $80 and still make money off it. By make money, I mean buy some more and better quality tools :D

Again, good of you to help a friend out. I built a bike up for my brother using a new frame he paid for and a whole parts group off a bike I had the frame crack on. Told him if he bought the frame and chain I would give him all the parts...he ended up giving me $50 extra so I gave him the better condition wheelset I had. He now has a bike he would have had to pay $400+ for in a bike shop, for only $200 :) And I made some room in our basement...