Now time to annoy- You could have gone 9 speed- possibly at a slightly higher cost and that would have given you the 34t on the cassette. One of the best improvements you can do for most bikes is in the wheel department. And having had a Trek 820- those weineman rims on no name hubs could definitely be improved on. The other items left from original will probably outlast the Frame- including the front mech- so ride the thing into the ground and enjoy.
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How long was I in the army? Five foot seven.
Spike Milligan