Originally Posted by
Phil_gretz
5ofus,
I'm not clear on where you're getting your ideas about this "upgrade"...
Possibly swapping the 53T chainring for a 50. Swapping shifters/brake levers for a new set of Shimano A070 Tourney combined shifters. Wider range cassette, changing from 13-21T to 13-28T, and replacing the chain, too. You'll need to add a cable stop on the downtube.....
That way, you'll have lower climbing gears and a more reasonable cruising range. Your parts costs will still be ~$250 (Shifters - 110, cable stop - 10, cabling - 25, chainring - 45, cassette - 30, chain - 10, plain cotton tape (please) - 8).
......Don't make this more complicated than it needs to be.
Winner! (Just had to change the tape fro cork to cotton/) And that's only b/c you seem to really want some "brifters"; otherwise, I'd just go with a bigger cassette and some maintenance. PS- A triple on that bike will not help you keep up with friends on modern bikes. It'll just make climbing easier for you--not faster.