What speed is my bike and other questions. THANKS!
 

Hey guys! I want to thank you all so much again for the advice. I've been looking at Nashbar and Pricepoint etc. trying to get an all around cost for the upgrades I would like to do and I've realized(embarassingly so) that I do not know what speed my bike is. It's a Trek 800 Sport circa '94 or '95. Thanks so much again. I've decided to upgrade the cables, the brakes(I'm opting for V-brakes and some come in a package with the shifting levers as well), pedals, tires, and grips. I already got a new saddle for it. Can anyone suggest inexpensive, but decent components? I've seen the V-brakes for about $22.95(rear or front) and Avid has the brakes with levers for about $60. I am going to go with platform pedals I think. I don't even know what clipless pedalsa are, but I don't have any special shoes or anything. Like I said, I will be doing very recreational riding with this bike. Mainly paved riding at the park and some easy, easy dirt trails with small drops, hills.
How do I decide on cables? Also what would be the best type of tire for this kind of riding? Mainly paved at the park, I'd say 80% of my riding and then 20% at the trail.
Again, thanks!

Count the number of "gears" in the front and the back and multiply them together. So if you have 3 in the front (which more the likely you do) and 7 in the back you would have 21 "speeds". I am not a bike mechanic so I don't know if you would have to stay with the same speed or not. I am sure one or more of the great mechanics we have on the forum will chime in with good advice and let you know if you can go and get a 9 speed rear end or not.

the last Trek 800 (2003) was only a 21-speed, so it's likely yours is the same (or possibly an 18-speed).

it probably wouldn't make much sense to upgrade to a 9-speed rear - at a minimum, you'd probably be looking at $250 or so in parts, which is more than a new bike in the same class as yours would cost. a new Trek 820 (closest thing to the 800) lists for $240...

if it works, ride it! and don't worry about upgrading - you'd be better served saving your money, fixing it when it breaks, and buying a new (better) bike later...

oops, forgot. tyres:

i'm a big fan of the Kenda Kwick for uses like yours...

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