Alv

Hi Guys, Last week i tore my bike apart so I can start cleaning it and painting it, I want to change the Brakes, The whole gear system including the chain and maybe the tires

I want some realiable parts that won't let me down, any suggestions? How mouch could it cost me?
I don't want high end stuff but just things that work well

wrk101

Find a donor bike to provide all of the parts, otherwise, it is going to cost you several hundreds of dollars (Well in excess of the value of most MTBs). Painting a bike is a pretty involved process to get it right, do a search on that topic.

Do you have the tools/time/aptitude to properly rebuild the bike?

Alv

I have the time, It might take a few weeks to do it, I plan to sand and start painting the bike this weekend and maybe I will start working on the pieces next week

Retro Grouch 

I agree with the other poster. The project that you're talking about probably isn't going to make purely economic sense.

However, there's also a fun-factor in play here. I LOVE doing these kinds of projects. Besides re-doing the bike, the stuff that you are going to learn along the way has value too. It's November. Winter's coming. That's the traditional time for taking your bike completely apart and refurbishing it for next Spring. I say "Just do it."

Donor bikes are generally a low cost way of acquiring replacement parts. As a bonus, the parts on a donor bike are generally all compatable with one another. Ebay can be another way of acquiring lightly used parts but you have to know exactly what you need or you're likely to buy stuff that "almost" works. The research that you need to do can be kind of fun and educational too. I've got a good pile of bike junk down in my workshop. In fact, I'm planning to go through some of it today. I prefer to trade it for other bike stuff rather than sell it but it's hard to find people who have what I want and need what I have.

BCRider

It would help immensely if you were to let us know what bike and what brakes and drive train stuff you have now.

We'd have to know what sort of rear wheel you have, freewheel or freehub and how many speeds. For the brakes we'd have to know what brakes you have now and if you want to stick to the same style or if this is a switch to discs. If a switch to discs does your frame and fork have the mounting lugs for discs?

And really what you're suggesting is likely best done by just selling what you have or keeping it as a spare or loaner bike and buying a bike with better stuff already. You're talking about two pretty major component packages and financialy doing such anupgrade doesn't make sense other than by just getting a new or used better grade of bike.

surreal

all this discouragement! if what we were doing with bikes was about financial common sense, we'd all have one midgrade bike that was 100% original, save consumables. i'm sure that, 4 replies in, the op knows about the expense. this is about discovery, passion, exploration, improvement, $pend!ng money-- in short, a hobby.

that being said, tell us about the bike.
-rob

02Pilot

Unless you are using modern catalyzed paint that hardens quickly, you had better budget several weeks (at least, depending on conditions) for the paint to set up, or you're going to have all sorts of scratches and nastiness simply from reassembly.

surreal

pimp thing to do is powdercoat, at about 100 beanz usd...

-rob

MACAQUE

if you have access to an oven (that you won't be cooking anything else in), i'd just buy the powder coat kit from harbor freight https://www.harborfreight.com/10-30-p...tem-94244.html

you'll come out ahead, and find endless parts to powdercoat

Retro Grouch 

Yup. There's there's guys who just want to ride and there's guys who mod. The two groups tend not to understand one another.

$pecial

well put

Alv

Yes, I want to do this for the fun of it and also because being able to choose the parts is good too, when you buy a cheaper bike some quality tends to vary

surreal

Heck, when you buy expensive completes, the quality of the components tends to vary. That's why i've given up entirely on new completes, and i tend to have upgrades/mods in mind whenever i buy a used or vintage complete. I'd found, while working in a shop, that almost every new bike came with either unacceptable wheels or shifters, for my standards/preferences. These are among the most expensive components on the bike, so buying a complete doesn't necessarily save money for a guy like me.

Back to your build: please, tell us what you got, and what your plans are. I'm always enthused by these kinds of projects.

-rob

BCRider

Alv, you still have not told us what brand and model the bike is that you're wanting to upgrade. I know a lot of us sound like killjoys but you would not be the first person that wanted to toss a bunch of money into a Walmart special thinking it would come out the other end as a great bike. It would be nice if you could at least confirm that you're not one of those misguided souls.

skilsaw

What this forum needs is a an expert that is willing to give an answer and stand by it. None of this woosy answering a question with another question.

$95.48

Alv

Hi guys, sorry I didn't reply to your questions, The bike has 26 x 2.1" Tires, The freewheel is a Shimano 7 Speed Megarange 34T, It currently has some disc breaks, I think They are RST, and they don't work at all

Retro Grouch 

There is probably a greater performance difference among disc brakes than any other bicycle component. Avid BB7 are head and shoulders my current favorite among the cable actuated ones.

Alv

Today I was able to remove some paint off the frame, still not all of it but I hope I'll be ready with that Tomorrow

Thanks I'll see if they sell them here

LesterOfPuppets

This equipment is commonly found hanging on lowend frames found in Walmart and Target. I'd shop for a complete used bike if I were you.

Alv

I found the Avid BB7 brakes for 70$ Do they come with the Discs and everything with that price? Heck, I thought they would be more
also, are hydraulic brakes much better? If so, why?

surreal

if it were me, on this build, i'd go with the bb7s. Hydros are arguably better, and they are, in terms of performance. Also, when all goes well, they tend to be lower maintenance. But, working on hydros is far more difficult than working on a nice set of mechanicals. Further, unless you have shimano or magura hydro discs, you'll be using volatile brake fluid, which isn't good for the environment, and is even worse for you if you come into contact with it. Also, of course, good hydros are expensive. I'd rather have avid bb7s than, say, tektro aurigas.

Go with the bb7s
-rob

Retro Grouch 

Typically that price gets you a caliper and disc for either the front or rear. Brake levers aren't included but the ones that you have now will probably work if you want to save some money.

LesterOfPuppets

In NO WAY could I EVER suggest throwing $140 worth of brake parts at a bike that retails for $150-200. Not a good use of funds.

Once again, use the money to shop for a better used complete bike.

Retro Grouch 

You have a point and, if all the OP wanted was a bike to ride, I'd agree with you. That's not where he's coming from. See response #10.

for a guy who likes to mod it's not throwing a $140.00 brake set at a $150.00 bike, it's simply acquiring a $140.00 brake set. Those brakes will live on other framesets before they find their way into the spare parts box.

bradtx

Alv, Have fun with your rebuild. Very rarely, and never with me, does this type of work make economical sense, unless you chalk it up as educational tuition.

Brad