yashinon

Picked up a Women's Sirrus to get my daughter interested in cycling. The bike needed some TLC. First and foremost, the bike came with awful (ugly) 3rd party wheelset (NOT OEM) and tires with dry-rot. I started with the seatpost and saddle...added a carbon fiber seat post and Bontrager WSD Affinity saddle. Next - I replaced the wheelset and tires - Mavic CXP22 and WTB Freedom Ryder tires. Finally, a nice tune up with new brake cables and replaced bolts on the brake calipers. Disclosure: I had a bike mechanic do a lot of the the 'fixes'.

It is Fall here, so the bike will not see use until spring.

Doctor Morbius

Over the last few days I've been cleaning and repacking the hubs on my M60, now referred to as the M61 as there have been so many changes and upgrades to the bike. I'll probably put the rear hub together tomorrow as it needs to dry out overnight. Front hub was assembled today. This will complete the bike's 2,500 mile overhaul.

It's been a fun project. I had some trepidation at first as the bike isn't what most here would consider a keeper. However, I enjoyed the process and the bike is now ready for many more years of enjoyment. I'll never be able to sell it for what I have in it though, so in that respect it was kinda dumb.

badger1

Is that a/your Raleigh M60 hardtail, Dr. M? If so, I disagree: why wouldn't it be a keeper? I have an '05 Giant Rainier (bought new); it was my main 'do it all' bike from '05 to '10 -- when I bought my Sirrus. Still have it. It is currently performing mtb duties, but I would have absolutely no hesitation in re-roadifying it for 'do it all' again. Rode 6-7000 kms/year on that thing, including a true century ride.

In fact, I often consider updating the drivetrain and putting it back to that use. I'd replaced everything on it over the years; currently has Mavic 717 Disc/XT hubs, a wonderful nos Marzocchi MX Pro air fork (back when Marz. made real forks) that I picked up from my LBS, SRAM X9 (old 9 speed), and BB7s. Thinking of going nuts and lashing out on new XT 1x11 + a pair of Jan Heine's new 26" road tires: yummy!

Doctor Morbius

Yes, the one in posts 342, 343 and 347 in this thread. It's an OK bike really, but it's not carbon fiber or some kind of uber frame. The front shock is an entry level Rock Shox. The rear wheel went south after about 1,200 miles.

Your Rainier is a much higher end bike by comparison.

When new the 2003 M60s were $400 at my favorite LBS. I thought about it and thought about it and by the time I made a decision to buy one they were sold out. I was very lucky in that some guy on ebay was selling one as a last year's clearance model for $325 shipped BIN so I snapped it up. The front shock is an entry level Rock Shox. The rear wheel went south after about 1,000 miles. Very pedestrian. It's best feature was it had Deore 9 speed shifters and derailleurs, which typically came on more expensive bikes.

As of right now there isn't much original equipment on the bike. The frame, fork, cable housings, cassette, headset spacers, seatpost and innertubes are the only things left. Next spring I'm going to overhaul my 2010/11 Roam 2 and put the M60's old Deore drivetrain/shifters on it. I'm still GASSING hard for a 2016 Giant Toughroad SLR 2 though.

badger1

Got it! Discs aside, doubt there was/is much to choose between the M60 and Rainier (of that vintage, i.e. mine) when it comes to frame, which is all that matters really. That looks really nice, and quite similar. The frame is pretty much all -- in fact, now that I think of it, literally all -- that is left of my Rainier. I've always loved the thing because I just 'like' ye olde timey 26er/NORBA XC geometry hardtails. They are great for non-technical singletrack, and for 'street': light and quick-handling. Came perilously close to picking up a Yeti ARC 26er frame while they were still available; didn't -- wish I had.

garzanium

New wheels and tires. Nimbus armadillos. Small bag on main bag had some new goodies such as tools. Also got a topeak air pump mounted

Doctor Morbius

I just looked up the blue book value of the 2003 M60.

2003 Raleigh M60 - New and Used Bike Value

$86 - $89 (Like-New)
$82 - $85 (Excellent)
$77 - $79 (Good)
$52 - $53 (Fair)

Obviously, it's not worth selling. It's worth more to me than what I could get for it. Not sure what it would cost to replace it considering how much on the bike has been changed/modified/upgraded. Doesn't matter though as I'll keep it and ride it until it asplodes.

I finished cleaning/repacking the rear LX hub and took it for a spin around the block. Rides like a brand new bike. Has a very solid feel, especially with those heavy duty wheels.

andrei_r

Not that I did it today, but finally took some pictures and decided to post them.

1) 8 speed to 9 speed conversion. Nothing special here, just replaced a faulty rear shifter and the 9 speed was a cheaper option.

2) Replaced the straight handlebar and a heavy 110mm stem with a 31.8mm (slightly wider) semi-rise handlebar and a KCNC scandium 90mm stem. Did this mostly to improve bike fit.




3) Replaced the old worn-out Serfas dual density saddle with WTB Rocket.



4) Converted to full cable housing in the rear. Did this because when I ride in dusty/dirty conditions, the dirt accumulates in the bottom bracket cable guide and it affects shifting performance and creates a very unpleasant noise when shifting. The front cable also passes under the bottom bracket, but due to less cable movement, it's less of a problem.

Had to drill out the cable stops with a 4mm drill bit to let the housing pass through. No permanent damage here, as the cable stops can still hold the ferrules in place, so I can revert to exposed cable if I want to.


Used the old plastic ferrules (chopped off one end) to make tight cable stop fittings. The rear one isn't tucked in yet, just to show the idea.


Enlarged the bottom bracket cable guide to accommodate the cable housing. Drilled through laterally to secure the cable housing with a tie wrap.


Final result:

DorkDisk

Some updates on this converted mixte, which is still a work in progress



The XT thumbies stripped out so I put some 7 speed rapidfire pods on. This broke the indexing on the 5 speed freewheel and Suntour AR derailleur. This did not surprise me as it never should have indexed anyway. Instead of messing with it I scrounged up a m735 xt short cage with SRP Al breakaway bolt and its matching front derailleur. Clamp size and cable pull was a match so I put them on. Used stickers to cover the gears that dont exist on the OGD. Indexing works perfectly on the non ramped 5 speed freewheel which seems to be original (1984 vintage). Chain is an old 8 speed Sachs SL/89R

Eventually I want to get a 700c wheel with a cassette and swap out the brakes for a dual pivot in front and a mid tube mounted centre pull. That should improve the braking exponentially and lighten the bike.

This bike has turned out be an exceptionally smooth ride even on cobblestones. I built it for my wife but I ride it more than she does.

ganchan

Switched out the flat handlebars on my Jamis Coda Sport for some North-Road style Wald 8095 bars.

lost_in_endicot

I decided that today would be a good day to put the studded tires(Schwalbe Winter Marathon) on the Crosstown. We're not supposed to get any snow from the coming storm, but it looks like it's going to be a little more like normal November weather next week.

jimdawgfan

Atlantic & Yadkin Greenway | North Carolina Trails | TrailLink.com
Well my GIANT is resting today. However, I plan to ride the Atlantic - Yadkin Greenway tomorrow with my grandson. Temps should be in the upper 40's.I will post pi of our ride...

principia 650

hope you have better luck with the nimbus tires. i bought one to replace my rear on my trek 7.4. i have had three flats in 6 months on the rear. still have orignal front tire no flats and it has at least 5000 miles on it. just bought some schwalbe marathon touring . hope i have better luck. enjoy your riding nice looking bike.

2702

Clarks Lock on 205 Ergonomic Grips w Barends Gray Black | eBay

Paradaz

Replaced the wheelset with some Mavic Aksium Discs a few months ago, today was just a winter clean, service, lube and top up of the hydraulic brake fluid. Some winter tyres will go on next (currently 28mm slicks)

2702

Wow, sweet ride. What brand bike is that?

Paradaz

Thanks, its a '13'......model is 'Implicit Alpha'. A newish brand here in the UK

13 Bikes

2702

Added a road bike
This aluminum Synapse is way more comfortable than I thought it was going to be. The frame is not that far behind my steel hybrid in comfort even with 25mm tires. Guess not all alloy bikes are the same as I gave up on some alloy frames in the past cause the ride was too stiff.

DorkDisk

Nice bike. Design is important, modern aluminum is very different from old thick and stiff aluminum.

I'd get rid of that excess rear cable housing around the seatpost clamp

2702

Its actually one size too small on paper and technically for me but the thing fits and rides like a glove. I'm a big fan of Cannondale road bikes now : ).
Its a 48cm ( I should be on a 50-52cm) but I feel like I am in total control of the bike more than a correct sized one. Took it for a couple of rides in every road I ride and rides perfect.
I'm 5 feet 6 30 inseam.

mrodgers

We are in holiday shutdown where I work. They have signup for what we call "Firewatch" so at least 1 person is in the plant to make sure equipment that we can't completely shut down has no problems or on some of the shifts where there is a guy in shipping that needs to load a truck, there is another person in the plant for safety reasons. I worked Wednesday afternoon shift. We're not allowed to so much as pick up a broom to sweep the floor. We can do whatever personal business we want and have to tour the plant once an hour.

Thus, I took my bike. Spent about 2.5 hours cleaning it (last rides for the year were wet on the crushed limestone and trashed the bike.) I had a blast tearing into it further than I normally do with cleaning.

I also used it for my hourly touring of the plant. Here's where I got to ride all night. It was fun blasting around on perfectly level and super smooth concrete....

CannedPakes

Got these drop bar ends. Haven't been able to ride with them yet, but I might end up putting them in the middle of the bar if it feels too wide.

CadenceBoy

I wouldn't use those if you ride in traffic, or anywhere you may have to break suddenly.

level3

This is my Fuji Absolute 1.0 LE. Not all done today but over the last few weeks I replaced the flat bar, stem, and seat post with FSA SL-K components. Changed the pedals to Shimano SPD 2 sided ones. Added Ergon grips with carbon bar ends. Switched the seat out with a Selle SMP Hybrid. Bikes been great with about a 150 miles on it so far. Weather has been suckish the last several days so I have had it on the trainer.

andrei_r

Nice bike. I would like to add two observations. 1) With your saddle tilted forward that way, you might be sliding off it and putting excessive weight on your arms. General recommendation is to have the saddle as close to level as possible with slight variations to release pressure in some areas. 2) If you incline your bar ends more (almost horizontally), it will stretch you out into a more aero position and give you more leverage for more power (especially when climbing out of the saddle). You might have good reasons for the setup to be this way. If so, just ignore this...