Hi everybody (first post
)
I need some help with upgrading my bike. Total newbie so I would appreciate some advice.
I'll be visiting USA soon and I plan buying some parts for my "Trek 4300 '07", so I could upgrade it a bit.
Prices are crazy here in Croatia (Europe), so I'm looking forward for some normal US prices.
I just hope that airport security won't have any problems with big metal parts in my language..
But lets cut this story short...
First of all, I'm not that happy now because I realize that I should have went for 9 speed bike, it would make upgrades much easier since all the good parts now seem to be 9 speed compatible? Seems like Alivio is top class for 8spd, nowadays? Is that true and can I mix 8 speed / 9 speed part? What would happen if I would mount, lets say, "Shimano Saint" crankset to my Trek 4300 without changing other parts?
I'm worried about upgrading following parts:
-Front derailleur: Deore, XT, Saint (all seem like 9 speed?)
-Cranset: Shimano Deore, Saint Triple, Shimano LX (will I have problems with bottom bracket?)
Do I need to upgrade the cassette, shifter, chain and all the rest to 9 speed?
Here are the original bike specs:
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Wheels:
Wheels Alloy front, Shimano RM60 rear hub; Bontrager Camino rims
Tires Bontrager Connection Trail, 26x2.0"
Drivetrain:
Shifters Shimano EF50, 8 speed
Front Derailleur Shimano C050
Rear Derailleur Shimano Alivio
Crank SR XCC-T102 42/34/24
Cassette SRAM PG830 11-32, 8 speed
Pedals Alloy platform
Components:
Saddle Bontrager Select Basic
Seat Post Bontrager Sport
Handlebars Bontrager Crowbar Sport, 25mm rise
Stem Bontrager Sport, 25 degree
Headset Aheadset Slimstak w/semi-cartridge bearings, sealed
Brakeset Tektro V w/Shimano EF50 levers
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What do you recommend upgrading? I want to change Front derailleur for sure. Think original one is messed up, also I need more rigid crankset. Probably better fork and those shifters look like could break easily.
Thanks everyone...sorry if I missed similar previous posts.