Hybrid Bicycles - Updating late '90's bikes

I've just made a couple of purchases of bikes for my partner and I, a 1997 Specialized Crossroads Sport and a 1998 Giant Yukon (which I'm 'hybridizing'). My assumption has been that if I got a decent frame out of these bikes I'd gotten a good deal.

We probably will hardly ever take these bikes out for anything but riding on pavement on the weekends, or some riding for exercise.

I've already replaced all the cables, tubes and tires, the brakes on the Specialized, brake pads on the Giant, and pedals on the Specialized. I think that the wheels are OK.

Now I'm down to changing out the derailleurs and shifters. I figure something 13 years old with springs and small parts probably ought to be replaced rather than trying to adjust the current dirty parts. But I'm not sure what to choose. The bikes mostly came with Shimano Acera-level parts. Should I stay at that level? Could I go down a bit to something like Sram x.3-x.4? Or will I notice the difference if I go up a bit, maybe x.7 or Deore? I'm also considering a Microshift/Sunrace M50 rear deraileur.

Since I don't expect that we'll be very hard on the bikes, my main want is better, easier, quicker, more precise shifting. If going with what I consider low end of the high end deraillers will get me that, I'll consider them. If all I get is lighter and stronger, I'm not sure I want to pay for just that.

Let me know, this is driving me a bit crazy.

BTW, both bikes have 7-speed freewheels. Current shifters are Sram MRX and that going with a Sram rear derailleur will mean using a Sram 1:1 shifter.

Are you planning to change the cogset? Measure the chain. If it's badly worn (12 links ≥ 12 1/8"), you'll need to replace cogset anyway.

I recently replaced the 7 speed cogset on my 1998 Cannondale H300 with an 8 speed and am considering purchase of Alivio (http://bike.shimano.com/publish/content/global_cycle/en/us/index/products/mountain/Alivio/product.-code-SL-M410.-type-.sl_road,st_road.html) shifters unless I get the vintage thumbshifters dialed in, my shifting isn't working too well on that bike right now.

Yes, that change is planned for step #3. Haven't really thought it out though. I'm thinking of staying 7 speed with both, just to keep things simple. The Giant is freewheel and the frame is aluminum, so I'm concerned about changing much of this. The Specialized is cassette, so I might be more willing to go 8 speed on it.

But I'm not sure that for the kind of riding we will do that 8-speed will really be an improvement we would notice.

Yes, that change is planned for step #3. Haven't really thought it out though. I'm thinking of staying 7 speed with both, just to keep things simple. The Giant is freewheel and the frame is aluminum, so I'm concerned about changing much of this. The Specialized is cassette, so I might be more willing to go 8 speed on it.

But I'm not sure that for the kind of riding we will do that 8-speed will really be an improvement we would notice.

Seven speeds work fine when the the ratios are well thought out. Since they are both freewheels you would have to change the hub and then switch to a cassette anyway as I don't think there are any 8 speed freewheels. Too much work and expense for little benefit unless you want better quality shifters that maybe aren't available as as a 7 speed. As far as rear D's go the modern low level stuff is about as good as the high end stuff of several years ago. You can get an Alivio for 15 bucks and it works great. As you noticed you generally can't mix Sram and Shimano as the index ratios are different (except in a few instances). And isn't Sram push/push as opposed to push/pull. So that would be a consideration.

Thx, Talldog, pretty much my thinking about 7-speed to 8, not worth the price right now. As far as shifters, right now both have SRAM MRX which are SRAM's 2:1 shifter. I'd like use those for a few weeks and probably replace them. So I will probably not go Sram for a rear derailleur.

I needed new drivetrain parts anyway so it wasn't really more expensive to order an eight speed cogset and compatible chain. Although I have it in friction mode right now, there is an eight click on the old 7spd Deore thumbshifter I'm using.

There didn't seem to be as many seven speed cogsets/chains/shifters available from the vendors I usually buy from. So I thought eight speed would be a little more up to date or something.

Most of the shifters you mention are designed for 8,9,10 speeds. Sram TRX shifters are one of the few seven speed shifters still available. This Sram shifter is different from the others they make. It works with Shimano deraileurs , not Sram!

My understanding, mainly coming from Sheldon Brown (http://sheldonbrown.com/speeds.html)is that the 'speed' of a derailleur is more marketing and less functional. How many speeds the rear wheel has is a function of the cogset/cassette and the shifter, the derailleur just moves where the shifter tells it to. At least that's my understanding, but I'm a newbie. I will agree that there are more 8-speed choices than 7-speed. I may change my mind on that choice.

I am planning on getting new SRAM MRX shifters, which are what the bikes have now, and I've found them in 7-speed from several suppliers.

From what Talldog says, I'll probably just go with Alivio (although I'm not finding anyplace that has a Alivio RD for $15 right now.)

A pic from OP? Restuarations are always fun to follow.

I clean and adjust 90's derailers all the time. Usually works for me.

Currently running a 1991 derailer on the Mongoose, 1996 derailer on the KHS, 1999 derailer on the Trek and all work pretty well.

Mid 80s derailer on the Pinarello, but it's never asked to index.

jleeper, I believe you are correct concerning compatibility of derailleurs with regard to the number of gears.

And Lester Puppet is correct that you may not need to buy new deraileurs to obtain the improvements in shifting you seek.

Hi jleeper;

Stick with 7 speed - Amazon (and thier dealers) have lots of seven speed stuff.

The Shimano TX-51 is a fine rear derailluer for casual street use, and less than $10-.

I have a Shimano twist grip 7 speed on one bike, and a SRAM MRX on another. My project bike (commuter) is also getting a SRAM MRX.

I purchased a Sunrace M50 for the project bike - haven't finished it yet, but my observations during installation, are causing me to think that I made a mistake purchasing it, and should have gotten another TX-51.

I would suggest that double check the tension and true of the wheels. If the tension is relatively high, and uniform (see Sheldon's comments on music notes vs tension) - the wheels will probably last forever.

When you replace the freewheel/cassette ALWAYS replace the chain.

My bikes have: 1. Shimano 14-34T 7 speed freewheel, 2. Sunrace 13-28T 7 speed freewheel, 3. SRAM 12-30T 7 speed cassette, 4. not sure, but it is a seven speed cassette; originally 12-30T (1994 Trek T50, just got it last weekend). I did have trouble with a Shimano 14-28; the 5th gear cog was not aligned properly - I could get the bike to be very smooth in 1,2,3,4,6,7 OR smooth in 5. That one got scraped... I am planning on getting another Sunrace 13-28T to replace the Shimano 14-34T. As I have gotten stronger, the closer ratios and taller top gear make more sense.

Thx, nfmisso.

Interesting about the Sunrace M50. That was on my list of possibilities for the Giant. What exactly has turned you sour on it?

I've already committed to a SRAM X4.0 rear derailleur for the Specialized along with SRAM 3.0 front derailer, and 3.0 Comp grip shifts. I found a good deal on the X.4 RD and I'm just liking the look of the build over the equivalent and less expensive Shimano RD's. Lots of people have said the Shimano Tourneys are perfectly good derailleurs for what I want to do, and I believe them, but for $6-7 more I can go with the x.4 and for probably irrational reasons, I'm happier with that choice.

The Giant WAS going to get a Sunrace/Microshift M50 (prob. M56), but now I'm probably going to go with a SRAM 3.0 front derailler thats on order, and probably an X.4 RD with x.3 trigger shifters.

I went to a couple of LBS Sunday and looked at lower end Treks like the 7100, Navigator 2.0, 7.1 FX, Jamis' like a Citizen 2, or Specialized Crossroads. I found most are 7 speed cassette with Tourney/Altus/x.3 RD, threaded headsets and often SRAM MRX/3.0 shifters. (The threaded headset thing was getting to me, I was thinking I was going to be way out of date.) Some have front end suspension, but I don't want that, at least now. I know these are lower end path/street/comfort, etc. bikes, but that's what I would go with If I were to purchase at the LBS. This helped me get over some 9-speed, Deore/x.9 envy. And it's convinced me to stay with 7-speed cassette/freewheels.

Thanks all for your input. I'll try to get some before pics up soon.

The M50 has a plastic cage, and without a cable (not installed yet) interferes with some of the cogs; and the adjustment screws are thread cutting screws into the plastic housing, rather than the machine screws of the TX31/51. I have a TX31 on one bike, and a TX51 on another - they are better made.

I do not yet know how the M50 will operate, may be fine; but initial impressions are not positive.

Keeping mind that the MRX (TRX) shifters are NOT compatible with SRAM rear derailleurs.

Regarding threadless versus threaded headsets. Threadless are cheaper to manufacture, and the marketing arms have swung into action to promote them as better, when they really are not. You can have the best of both worlds with some thing like this:
http://www.amazon.com/Origin8-Threaded-Threadless-Quill-Adapter/dp/B0037N6PEC/ref=sr_1_15?s=cycling&ie=UTF8&qid=1304364090&sr=1-15

Thx nfmisso. I think I'm definitely going with the x.4 RD on both bikes. It gives me an excuse to replace both sets of shifters, too.

OK here's a pic of the Specialized. It's not quite a before pic. I've changed out the brakes and cables, and my partner had to add the little under saddle pack.

http://gallery2.jleeper.us/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=1789&g2_serialNumber=1




http://gallery2.jleeper.us/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=1793



http://gallery2.jleeper.us/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=1796

Nice looking bike :) needs fenders :)