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upgrade help

Old 01-18-11, 07:48 PM
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upgrade help

I'm not sure what to look for in buying a crankset, stem and handlebars (but I know I want drop bars).
I mostly ride just for fun around the city but am interested in doing longer rides.
Any help is much appreciated!
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Old 01-18-11, 07:51 PM
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What bike do you have now, And what parts are currently on it, And how much would you like to spend.

Otherwise i'd give you all top brand name then you'd get your bike stolen then you'd crie and i'd be so happy when your awesome parts go on ebay for 1/4 of the price.
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Old 01-18-11, 07:54 PM
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How much are you willing to spend? Are you upgrading or do you need this stuff for a build? Lots of questions, I know, but we can't give accurate information without it. Most importantly: what bike do you have? The stem you need is determined by what headset you have (threaded or threadless, 1" or 1 1/8")

Edit: evilcry you're too fast!
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Old 01-18-11, 08:01 PM
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I've already had my front wheel stolen and definitely don't want that to happen again so nothing super enticing to all the bike thieves. ( I have since learned how to properly lock my bike)
I have a globe roll. I threw away the god awful plastic saddle for a RYD Velo.
My front rim is a R700 Alexrim.
I don't want to break the bank but I want to be happy with what I have.
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Old 01-18-11, 08:04 PM
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Do you have a picture of your current bike? What components do you not like? What components are worn? Ask yourself these sort of question and go from there.
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Old 01-18-11, 08:07 PM
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Also consider the practicality of your upgrade. Like on my commuter its literally a shopping car on wheels.

If i needed a stem, I would buy a stem from the lbs for 10 dollars because its only funtion is to hold the bars where they're supposed to be.

Form>function?

Function>form?
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Old 01-18-11, 08:11 PM
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So, there is nothing special to look for in a stem? What about quill stems vs threadless stems?
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Old 01-18-11, 08:14 PM
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Originally Posted by Vixtor
Do you have a picture of your current bike? What components do you not like? What components are worn? Ask yourself these sort of question and go from there.
I don't like my handlebars, they are not comfortable. I think I want drop bars, I like how they feel.
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Old 01-18-11, 08:16 PM
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Originally Posted by salami
So, there is nothing special to look for in a stem? What about quill stems vs threadless stems?
Originally Posted by FastJake
The stem you need is determined by what headset you have (threaded or threadless, 1" or 1 1/8")
If this is just for a commuter bike you park outside, get the cheapest stuff possible as long as it works properly. Go with used stuff if you want to save more money.
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Old 01-18-11, 08:19 PM
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Originally Posted by FastJake
If this is just for a commuter bike you park outside, get the cheapest stuff possible as long as it works properly. Go with used stuff if you want to save more money.
This is what i am saying, Decide if your upgrading your bike for quality or for function. If you simply want nicer feeling handlebars, I advise you get some nice ergo road drops and get some nice bar tape and some nice gel gloves.

If you need a new seat you should try differnt options because every's booty is a differnt style. Like me, Mine makes a figure 8 (:
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Old 01-18-11, 08:22 PM
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Globe Roll have a threadless stem...1 1/8" I believe. All the stem does is really holds your fork and bar in place, if you stem is too long or too short, change it. Bars are very personal and will be hard to offer advice for...do you know if you like classic bends or do you like compact drops more?
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Old 01-18-11, 08:24 PM
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Originally Posted by FastJake
If this is just for a commuter bike you park outside, get the cheapest stuff possible as long as it works properly. Go with used stuff if you want to save more money.
Rarely do I park it up outside, I have a beater bike for that. I wouldn't really consider it a commuter bike, I like to go on 20 mile rides and eventually I want to go on longer rides.
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Old 01-18-11, 08:30 PM
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Originally Posted by Vixtor
Globe Roll have a threadless stem...1 1/8" I believe. All the stem does is really holds your fork and bar in place, if you stem is too long or too short, change it. Bars are very personal and will be hard to offer advice for...do you know if you like classic bends or do you like compact drops more?
No, I don't know the difference between the two. I know a lot of things are very personal but what I want to know is what to look for. What makes them different and why some prefer one style and some prefer something else. Or is it all pretty much trial and error?
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Old 01-18-11, 09:14 PM
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This is all pretty easy stuff, maybe i can help break it down.

CRANKSET
-you need to make sure your crankset matches your bottom bracket (square or isis? if square, which kind?)
-length... 165mm is pretty common for a track frame
-teeth/gearing... how difficult do you want it to be to pedal? 46-48 is pretty standard (and also aggressive) the higher the number the more difficult it is to pedal but more top speed.

STEM
-you need to know if you have a threaded or threadless headset/fork (if you have threaded headset get a threaded/ quill stem, if you have threadless get threadless stem)
-what diameter is you fork? 1" or 1-1/8"?
-what diameter is your current/future handle bar? 31.8mm, 26mm, 25.4mm?
-how much reach do you need, is your current setup too long or too short? adjust accordingly. i think 100-110 is normal and then 80-90 is shorter and 120-130 is longer

and that stuff is important, the rest is quality and looks (form and function) and thats up to you. I hope this helped.

(also all of this stuff is on sheldon browns website, check it out)
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Old 01-18-11, 09:21 PM
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oh yeah... handlebars

HANDLEBARS
-need to be the same diameter as what your stem accepts (31.8mm, 26mm, 25.4mm)
-width... should be about the distance from the center of one shoulder to the center of your other shoulder... 36cm center to center, 38cm, 40cm, 42cm are common handle bar sizes... 40 is easiest (and often cheapest) to find
-styles.. for drops there are track and road (... and road has many subset shapes as well)... track bars are curvier and stronger, road are lighter and more readily available... i like track bars better on single speeds but its all up to you.

again i hope this helped and i encourage you to check out sheldon browns website
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Old 01-18-11, 09:40 PM
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Also Dont forget to include how you'll be riding. If you want to be able to use your brakes dont get a 31.8 clamp weird timetrial bar.

also try accomidated in shims for cheapest deals possible IE Stem on sale 26mm clamp for 10 dollars handlebars on sale 30 dollars clamp 25.4 shim 10 dollars BAM HERPIES>,,<
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Old 01-19-11, 08:06 AM
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Thanks!! this helps big time!
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Old 01-19-11, 08:34 AM
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Originally Posted by evilcryalotmore
Also Dont forget to include how you'll be riding. If you want to be able to use your brakes dont get a 31.8 clamp weird timetrial bar.

also try accomidated in shims for cheapest deals possible IE Stem on sale 26mm clamp for 10 dollars handlebars on sale 30 dollars clamp 25.4 shim 10 dollars BAM HERPIES>,,<
re: all your posts

i cant tell whether you are genuine or a brilliant troll.
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Old 01-19-11, 08:41 AM
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If you don't know what you want, you shouldn't buy it. Upgrading is silly.
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Old 01-19-11, 12:05 PM
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Originally Posted by adriano
re: all your posts

i cant tell whether you are genuine or a brilliant troll.
I think he is genuine most of the times but have trouble expressing himself.
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Old 01-19-11, 12:26 PM
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Originally Posted by evilcryalotmore
also try accomidated in shims for cheapest deals possible IE Stem on sale 26mm clamp for 10 dollars handlebars on sale 30 dollars clamp 25.4 shim 10 dollars BAM HERPIES>,,<
I have never been one for forum signatures but this might have to be one.
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