MTB Parts buying advice (cassette, chain, pedals)
 

Hi guys,

I need to get some new bits and pieces, wondering if you have any advice.

Rear cassette

I need an 8 way rear cassette to go with my new wheels (off road).

At the same time, I think I should probably change my current rear cassette (road wheels) as it appears to be very worn now, there's a lot of mileage on that cassette.

Any product recommendation?

New chain, chainring recommended?

I've seen elsewhere people recommending replacing the entire chain when replacing rear cassettes. Given the mileage on the chain, I don't have any problem splashing out on that. Do I need to change the chainring also? (I need to inspect it more closely to see what kind of wear it's showing.)

Any product recommendation?

Shoes, pedals

My Specialized shoes are falling apart, it's time for replacement. I have a crappy set of spares, e20 in Decathlon, looking for another set for main use, but these will keep me going if I'm stuck.

I'm thinking about upgrading my Wellgo e30 pedals to something half-decent, I was looking at Egg Beaters. Any recommendations in this area?

Rear slick

Going for a new rear tyre, will be a Conti Sports Contact most likely.

2x 26x2.0 tubes

My off-road wheels are wheels and tyres, so in addition to a cassette, I'll need some tubes :) Yes, I do need to check exact measurement, I'm not familiar with the off-road stuff, so they may be bigger than 2.0.

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My total budget is realistic for what I've described above, but any bargain tips recommended. I may buy the lot online, but I'll head to my LBS and ask for a quote after reminding them of the 4 bikes and many other purchases I've influenced or made recently :)

Cheers,
Al.

www.nashbar.com is among the low price leaders for mail/internet sources. I got excellent service and unusually wide internet catalog stock from www.aebike.com last year. SRAM is your best quality/price combo for chains and cassettes, and SRAM chains have the quik disconnect link that is superior to Shimano. I have gotten good results with KMC also. As a general rule, in road biking situations (ATB ridden on clean road/trail should be the same) the chain will last 2-5kmi, a cassette will last 2chains, and chainwheels will last 2-3 cassettes. Most people spend more time in one chainwheel and this will be either the middle or large chainwheel so which ever it is for you, that will be the one needing replacement. Small chainrings tend to last forever on triples, and a lot longer on doubles for most riders.
Everyone that I have talked to that uses them likes Crank Bro pedals and they are a bit more than knockoff SPD types at $60-80. I am a fan of a pedal that works equally for road/ATB shoes and allows recessed cleats which are much more comfortable walking around in.

This only applies if you are within the United States, outside the US customs, brokerage, exchange and additional local taxes can turn sublime into the ridiculous. Shipping and customs can be more then the item itself. I once ordered a CD from the US for $10, it was CA$65.00 by the time all was said and done. That was 15 years ago, and I never made that mistake again.

I'm in Ireland, as you can see. Shipping is always a huge factor, but amazingly due to European prices and the strong Euro/weak USD, it can work out as cheap for me to buy from US.


Eur 159.72 gets me delivered:

2005 Sram Powerglide II PG850 Cassette 8 Speed (11-32) x 2
2005 Sram PC-68 8 Speed Chain x 1
2006 Crank Brothers Egg Beater MXR Pedals x 1
Maxxis Xenith Slick Tire x 1

I didn't put in the tubes because it knocks me over $150 and into higher shipping fees. These quotes from Pricepoint (who I've negotiated down on shipping previously).

I was thinking about getting the 11-28 or 11-30 cassette for on-road. I need to figure out how much I use the larger cogs. Maybe 11-30 is a good balance.

You'll like the 11-28 much better. I have the same 4300 as you and switched to 11-28 many thousands of miles ago. Much nicer shifting for any road conditions, even unpaved like i ride. The distance between gears is less, which is very nice.

I've worn out probably 5 11-28 cassettes in the last few years.

Canadians seem to really get the shaft on shipments from the US, judging by complainers on other websites I visit. One comment that is universal, USPS shipments are much to be preferred to UPS as
UPS has a $35 "customs charge" that USPS does not. USPS is a bit less user friendly than UPS for large shippers so it can be difficult. I should have picked up on the Ireland connection, but Alrocket has a point. It is amazing how much more stuff is in EU than the US, of course the VAT has a bit to do with this but there are still inexplicable differences.

I agree with Portis, 11-28 is a better idea, if the terrain and your legs are suitable. Those monster jumps above 20t on the cassette take some getting used to on a road bike.

try chain reaction cycles, they are based in the north somewhere. they seem to have a good rep, and shipping would be cheaper than from either the uk or from the usa. i have also used totalcycling, and found them to be ok.
i have a 42-11 on my bike. realistically, you don't need any more gears unless you are reallu going for it, or heading downhill very fast! that's why i don't use the 52 ring on my trekking bike much....