New groupset for 97 Klein Stage
04-07-19 | 07:54 AM
#1
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New groupset for 97 Klein Stage
I recently fell into a 97 Klein Stage with near 0 miles. (Sorry can’t post pics - too new to the forum.) I had my LBS check it over and put on new handlebars to allow me to sit a little more upright (I’m 62 with a repaired back). I love the ride, but it came with a low end Shimano set and I would like to upgrade to something with hydraulic brakes and a 2x11 instead of 3x8. Is the Shimano 105 r7025 (I have small hands) a good choice? Other thoughts on group set options?
Thanks in advance for any thoughts and opinions.
Rich
Thanks in advance for any thoughts and opinions.
Rich
04-07-19 | 01:48 PM
#2
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From: Pacific Northwest
Bikes: ‘87 Marinoni SLX Sports Tourer, ‘79 Miyata 912 by Gugificazione
Hydraulic brakes = disc brakes, and that frame was not designed for discs.
2x11 doesn’t offer any advantages over 3x8 for gearing range. Triple fronts can be set up to shift very reliably, and you’ll have more intermediate gears with the 3x8 setup.
My wife made all of those changes you request - for her new bike that was designed from the start for hydraulic discs. But it also required a WolfLink to allow the Ultegra rear derailleur to work with the 11-40 cassette, and a modified 46-34 crankset. All so she could have the same low gearing of her previous 12-30 cassette with 24-38-48 rings. In her case, the hydraulic discs were needed because of arthritis in her hands.
2x11 doesn’t offer any advantages over 3x8 for gearing range. Triple fronts can be set up to shift very reliably, and you’ll have more intermediate gears with the 3x8 setup.
My wife made all of those changes you request - for her new bike that was designed from the start for hydraulic discs. But it also required a WolfLink to allow the Ultegra rear derailleur to work with the 11-40 cassette, and a modified 46-34 crankset. All so she could have the same low gearing of her previous 12-30 cassette with 24-38-48 rings. In her case, the hydraulic discs were needed because of arthritis in her hands.
04-07-19 | 05:30 PM
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That looks like Shimano's 3x8 52/42/30. RSX wasn't the smoothest out there, and sitting for a long time can gum up those RSX STI shifters a bit. That's a pretty wide gear range there, but requires a ton of shifting to go through them all. Some people like that. The 3x7 RSX was a compact triple, and that was a pretty convenient setup.
You may like an upgrade, and even the 105 2x11 would be a significant performance improvement. A compact double crankset and larger rear cassette can easily make up for the 22 vs 24 gears. If you go with the R8000 11-32 or 11-34 cassette, and those are 8/9/10 Shimano wheels, you can keep the wheelset if you'd like (they fit 11speeds on the 10speed freehub).
If you have smaller hands, ask the shop about the inserts that bring the brake lever farther back towards the bar. I've installed these on bikes for smaller riders and they've had no problem with braking power, etc. If your main concern is stopping power, I'd suggest just some good dual pivots (almost universal now) and good pads, combined with true wheels and the calipers set with minimum clearance. A lot of shops don't really true the wheels, and the variance in "true" causes the brakes to rub. Too many shops simply adjust the calipers, which eliminates the rub but causes more than necessary brake pull to really stop well.
Above all, fit, fit, fit. Saddle friendly to butt, then comfort on the ride. Then tune the bike. Ride it a bit, figure out what you want. Upgrade if you want, but be careful on the bottom bracket. I think Klein went to threaded by 1997, but I don't know for sure. That would make things easier.
You may like an upgrade, and even the 105 2x11 would be a significant performance improvement. A compact double crankset and larger rear cassette can easily make up for the 22 vs 24 gears. If you go with the R8000 11-32 or 11-34 cassette, and those are 8/9/10 Shimano wheels, you can keep the wheelset if you'd like (they fit 11speeds on the 10speed freehub).
If you have smaller hands, ask the shop about the inserts that bring the brake lever farther back towards the bar. I've installed these on bikes for smaller riders and they've had no problem with braking power, etc. If your main concern is stopping power, I'd suggest just some good dual pivots (almost universal now) and good pads, combined with true wheels and the calipers set with minimum clearance. A lot of shops don't really true the wheels, and the variance in "true" causes the brakes to rub. Too many shops simply adjust the calipers, which eliminates the rub but causes more than necessary brake pull to really stop well.
Above all, fit, fit, fit. Saddle friendly to butt, then comfort on the ride. Then tune the bike. Ride it a bit, figure out what you want. Upgrade if you want, but be careful on the bottom bracket. I think Klein went to threaded by 1997, but I don't know for sure. That would make things easier.
04-09-19 | 08:21 AM
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04-09-19 | 10:02 AM
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Bikes: 1997 Cannondale, 1976 Bridgestone, 1998 SoftRide, 1989 Klein, 1989 Black Lightning #0033
04-09-19 | 01:35 PM
#9
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Bikes: 1991 Bianchi Eros, 1964 Armstrong, 1988 Diamondback Ascent, 1988 Bianchi Premio, 1987 Bianchi Sport SX, 1980s Raleigh mixte (hers), All-City Space Horse (hers)
Looks like the OP already has dual-pivots, though there might be better ones out there.
04-10-19 | 12:31 PM
#11
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From: MC-778, 6250 fsw
Bikes: 1997 Cannondale, 1976 Bridgestone, 1998 SoftRide, 1989 Klein, 1989 Black Lightning #0033
They were however, 130mm OLD, so the OP shouldn’t be limited to 7sp wheel sets.
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