iamtim

I just got my bike back from the LBS, where there were taking some stuff off, putting some other stuff on, and generally tinkering with my bike. My bike is a Trek 1000 that I've been slowly but surely upgrading to a constant Shimano Tiagra group. So far I've done brakes, front derailleur, wheels, and now -- thanks to BF member Nubie -- I was able to do the brifters (brake/shifter units for you brifter haters) and a nine speed upgrade including a new SRAM chain and Shimano cassette. Here's some pics of the completed bike:


The tell-all profile shot. The guys at the LBS talked me into the orange bar tape. I was a little wary at first, but I think it came out OK.


The Tiagra rear derailleur and hub sandwiching the new cassette. It's interesting -- the Tiagra RD is, by default, a 9 speed job. The Trek 1000 is an 8 speed bike. That RD shifts better now than it ever did -- it always felt a little rough to me, but now it's smooth.


A gratuitious handlebar shot showing the new (to me) Nubie provided Tiagra brifters. Nubie is my hero.

hi565

yum...

baj32161

Flip it !


I have to admit...I like that look.

Cheers,

Brian

iamtim

Funny you should say that:
https://www.bikeforums.net/road-cycling/177664-angle-question-prep-new-stem.html

Heh.

baj32161

No worries....take a look at the latest picture of my bike [IMG][/IMG]

Nubie

Who, me?

The bike looks GREAT!!! The orange bar tape looks good, and if you don't like it, it's easily changeable. I guess you got to pick up your bike early from the LBS? Or were you hounding them to hurry it up? I'm so proud to see my little brifters on there - and I'm glad to hear about the better shifting. Who would've thought? Is the braking ok?

Congrats on the sweet ride. Is your upgraditis cured for now?

iamtim

I drove over on my lunch hour earlier today to ask them if they could get the faceplates you linked me to, and it was done. I was floored -- not even 24 hours had passed since I dropped it off. They do that to me every time: "Yeah, it'll be done by Tuesday," only to have it done the next day. THAT's a good LBS.

The braking is great. They put all new cabling in -- both shifting and braking -- and fully adjusted everything.

For now, I s'pose. I've come to the point on this bike where any further upgrades is really hitting the "it's new bike time" level. We'll see -- I know I may be looking at a new stem with less of an incline, but that's not an upgrade per se. It's more of a "proper fit" thing.

Nubie

I was thinking about getting a new stem too, actually. It's not that high on my "must do" list right now though. I think putting in more riding time would probably do more for me than a new stem. And don't kid yourself - it's an upgrade. I know what you mean about "new bike time." So much of the fun is upgrading and planning and looking forward to improvements, but you can only take it so far. I can't wait until my bike is entirely 105! No one's going to notice except me, but that's all that matters, right?

roadfix

Nice.....
But one thing....don't you think the STI cable housings are a bit on the short side?

iamtim

Not really, no. Why, do you?

SilentShifter

Looks great! I have always loved that screaming orange color. Good move on the bar tape.

roadfix

Well, they just look tight and seem like they might bind when you turn your bars 90 degrees. On the other hand, perhaps you do have plenty of slack even with the bars turned sharply. I know this won't affect you while you're riding....

rpc180

That orange is one of the main reasons the Trek 1000 was on my short list of rides! It was too bad the upgrades would've cost me too much. The Tiagra brifters are so much better than the Sora function wise (no thumbshifters)! But upgrading those made a 9-speed derailure and cassette a necessity. I couldn't justify the cost of parts and service. So nice to see it at the Trek 1200 level though, its pretty!

Nubie

Hey Tim - how much did the upgrades cost you in the end?

Mariner Fan

Tim,
That's a great looking bike! I noticed that you have your saddle moved forward. How does that work for you? Was it because you felt stretched out? If so, maybe a stem change will do you a lot of good. Unfortunately for me, I had to move my saddle back to get close to a KOPS fit.

iamtim

That must be a trick of the camera because there's plenty of slack. It doesn't get close to binding at a 90 degree turn.

iamtim

Let's see:

The Tiagra FD was $30,
The Tiagra brakes were $45,
The Tiagra/Mavic wheels were $125,
The Tiagra brifters were $20 (Thanks again, Nubie!),
The 9-speed upgrade (cassette, chain, cabling, and installation) was $140...

Altogether that's what $355 or so spaced out over a number of months? That sounds about right.

Tim.

iamtim

Truth be told, I don't remember *why* I moved it forward, but it feels perfect for me. I don't feel -- nor have I ever felt -- stretched on that bike at all. The reason I'm looking at a new stem is to lower the bars, though, not too bring them closer.

Tim.