questions about my giant
 

Hi
I have a Giant Iguana that I LOVE!!! Its relatively light, weighing in on a fish scale (LOL) at 35 lbs. I've picked up various bikes at dept. stores and bike shops that weigh more.
I'm not sure how old it is but it has Suntour parts on it and I'm told they went out of business, but I also heard they are back.

I need to replace the complete drive train--chain, sprockets, derailiur(SP), etc...To do it right I need to replace everything but the frame it self, but I can live with the shifters and brakes, for now.
Its still very ridable as is, but the chain jams between the low and middle chain rings.
My question: Is it worth fixing?? or should I spend the $400+ on a new bike--I don't ride that much and I'm leaning toward fixing it, cuz I really like it.
Its 21 speed, if I fix it can I upgrade to a 24 cassette, and what would that entail??
Are shocks worth it?? I heard they add weight, and is that a concern??

Thanx bunches!!!

IMO, upgrading that old Giant would rapidly run you more than a decent-quality new bike.


A decent set of forks alone will be in the 200.00 range, and if you can't do the work yourself...shop rates.
If it's just a labor of love, feel free; it's your money...

BTW, 35 pounds would be in the VERY HEAVY range for a quality bike. My home-built recumbent, put together of nothing but the cheesiest steel parts, goes about 38....

Could you possibly just replace the cassette and chain? and maybe the chainrings? It might be tough to source a new 7 speed suntour cassette (if it has a suntour hub). I'd look into just repairing it first. Depending on your patience and the hub, you may be able to do it super cheap.

I would look into a Shimano Alivio crankset ($40 typ)and bottom bracket($22 typ)(sometimes the suntour sets are incompatible with the Shimano arms.) They are fairly inexpensive but durable for all but freeriding. The cassette is probbably not all that far worn if it is steel. Ideally a Sram cassette($29) and Sram chain($18) can be had cheap. Alivio derailleurs are decent for the money, $20 rear, $15 front.
(prices typical, not available everywhere) ;)
To change the rear range up to 8spd would involve a new freehub/body($18+) and a new controlling shifter($45+). Probbably more trouble than it is worth. 7 spd units are still available, and for your level I dont see any sizable improvement in upgrading that.

Also be aware that Suntour Accushift components (and I believe some others) used a different shifting ratio than Shimano componenets (which are now the most popular). If you were to replace your cassette or your rear derailleur, you might have shifting issues with your stock shifter, if it were Accushift. If you take your bike to your LBS, they should help you find out what parts you would need. Be prepared for them to try to sell you a new bike, because it's in their best interest. If you ride your bike off road most of the time, a front suspension fork would make some sense. Otherwise, it will just add weight (figure about 4 or 5 pounds). Almost all new bikes come with front suspension, which may or may not be what you're looking for.

That's the start on the road to economic ruin. Every dollar that you spend on that Giant is going to make it that much harder to turn your back on it so that you can buy a newer, better and cheaper replacement bike.

Forgive me for sounding confrontational, but for a "Retro Grouch" you sure seem lately to like to encourage people to buy new stuff when they don't necessarily need or want it. Especially these days, when marketing rules over design, newer isn't always better. Neither is it always cheaper. Let the guy love his bike!

why would you need more than one fork, i only run 1... do you run 2 or something? i didnt even know forks sold in sets ;)

I don't feel that's confrontational at all, just a different point of view.

Actually, you have a point. I see the irony in that myself. In this case, however, he's talking about replacing an awful lot of parts on an old, low end, Suntour equipped bike. His bike might be the poster child for the trap in which you keep buying new parts in order to make other new stuff that you've just bought work. I've been there and done that more than once and the economics have never worked out very favorably. I'd feel guilty if I let a post like his go by without giving the writer the opportunity to benefit from my experiences.

You, sir, are a gentleman and a (bike) scholar.

Thanx for all your input--I went to another shop yesterday, and I was told that I could get by w/ just replacing the chain and crank set. I also asked about an upgrade and he said the same thing about having to replace the hub and rear deraileur. So, I'm not going there. I am, however, considering having the cables replaced as well.

Also, concerning the weight, as I said I've picked up several bikes in the $100-$500 range, which I guess can be considered "low-end" when you see bikes for $1200 and up, and my giant was lighter than most of them--its possible that my shish scale wasn't acurate.
I priced a new giant iguana at a reputable sporting goods store and it was $500+ My bike is at least 10 years old, but I don't know how to tell, but I doubt it cost that much new, still...