No rules. An upgrade for some might only be for looks.
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I am a bit the opposite...
I'd encourage moderation on the upgrades for the Raleigh and Univega.

Add $1000 worth of upgrades, and you still have a second-tier Raleigh and Univega.

Your Eddy Merckx.. or DeRosa... upgrade as much as you want, and you'll end up with a very nice bike with a foot both in the modern world and in the vintage world.

Now, if you wish to build a true "Frankenbike" with the Raleigh or Univega, get out the angle grinder and have at it.

Here are some photos of my "upgades" to my Steyr Clubman.

http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=448932 http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=448933

Ive left my Road Bike as is for a Very long time , since I ride other bikes I Bought since , More .. Like My Brompton folding Bike ..

or My Trekking Bike to do Grocery store Haul Backs ..

for me it varies, some of it is utilty, some style, some just fun, and some what the heck

my 89 Miyata 1400 is pretty close to how i bought it, at least style wise, updated to ultegra triple 9 spd STI, any a brooks swift (the turbo is on the torpado) and nitto stem and hangle bars.....so I guess it is not that close :)

Nishiki commuter, the frame (repainted) and seat post are the only oriiginal parts.

84 torpado.... very true to original, new koolstop pads, replaced ofmega crank with crack with similar ofmega, original rims (and spokes on on front wheel) soon to be replaced with campy vitory strada tubular rims. A Cino Heroica is on the to do list and want to keep this one legal

Whatever gets you on the bike is the important thing.

On my Chrome Voyageur 11.8, I have a Deore touring group off of an SP. The Altus LT stuff it came with was super corroded.

On my Clubman, I swapped out the stock wheels for some Miche Competition/MA2 wheels, the brakes from Weinmann 500s to 610s and the Huret Ecos for Cyclone GT.

On my Finest, Its all stock apart from Jagwire titanium shift housing.

fify

Just upgrade with period correct parts.
If you have low end, get higher end. Itll drop some weight, improve performance, etc.


...unless you want brifters and all.

I've done extensive upgrades before and my wallet didn't fare too well. I'm trying to stay good with my current bike. All i've done so far is new bar tape, hoods and a new bag. I might do some new brake levers and hoods but thats about it.

You're on new levers and hoods, after you sawed off the two Mirrycle mirrors, left the stumps and made "hoods" out of plasti-dip?

"Upgrading" can mean a lot of things.

I haven't gotten around to putting modern gearing on old bikes. Yet. But I like putting parts that I like, either for performance or looks, on bikes that I like.

If you ask me, replacing pure friction Superbe shifters with run of the mill Power Shifters is an "upgrade." And although the Huret Duopar was one of the most expensive derailleurs of its day- IMO, something like the mid-level 80s ATB derailleurs have 99% of the capability at a fraction of the price, 10x the availability and unlimited fewer headaches. And they probably look cooler too.

Now, there's also the idea of getting a bike that's a special bike in and of itself. IMO, you don't mess with that, but it's not really a "rider" then either.

I think you can also really upgrade the performance and prestige of a bike by putting nice stuff on it. One of my favorite bikes is a 1986 Trek 400 Elance. It was just above entry level for Trek that year. It was a "nice" 531/CrMo frame/fork. The stock components were "good." Hell, they were actually really good- they just lacked cachet. Now I've got some top of the line and next to top of the line components on that bike- and I love the way it looks. It's not only a bike that looks great and rides great and shifts great- but I really see that bike as something special rather than a pretty bike with "some" parts on it.

I'm contemplating new levers/hoods. I got hoods, cut them in half and wrapped them around the stumps and closed the gap with liquid electrical tape.

I'm more into the modification camp than just upgrade camp and will generally find NOS or excellent used rather than the latest technology. But it doesn't need to be period correct. If everyone with a '32 Ford went period correct they would be pretty boring.

Before my wife got a newer road bike I was doing all sorts of mods to her '86 Univega Viva Sport. In the end it was running 7 speed cassette that was spaced for 8 speed and the 13/15 were swapped out for 12/14... 8 speed brifters to an XT Rapid Rise rear derailleur and a Cyclone front derailleur and Fulcrum 130mm wheels. 36/46 chainrings. Still running toe clips and straps. I did add some inline brakes as she really likes them. All of the changes were upgrades, but not what most people would consider when looking at groups.

My Cannondale is running Superbe Pro and 7 speed DA. When I went to a 32t I added an XTR rear derailleur. I am able to get a 130mm rear wheel into the rear dropouts and will eventually find a nice set and run 8 speed (11-32) with Campy 10 speed brifters. I like also the Rapid Rise, (right lever upshift-right button downshift) so I will throw on a medium cage XTR with an XTR front and go with it.

John

Nothing wrong with that mod. Use whatcha got.

While at it, see if you might have a spare wine bottle opener ;)
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