gryffinwings

So I'm looking at upgrading my wifes bike, it was a cheapy I got at the local swap meet, A Womens Diamondback. I figure that I upgrade the components now and then when I find frame that is a good price I'll swap over parts.

Currently the bike has the following:
Front Derailleur: Shimano Tourney
Rear Derailleur: SRAM X.3
Rear Cassette: 7 Speed Shimano Tourney
Crankset: No name
Bottom Bracket: Not sure on size so I am guessing it's a 68mm standard, it's not a shimano or similar, not sealed.
Fork: No name brand, it is a 1 1/8" head tube so I can upgrade, it's a 63mm fork.
Shifters: SRAM 7-speed shifters

So here's my idea on basic upgrades to see if the parts are worth it:
Front Derailleur: Shimano Acera
Rear Derailleur: SRAM X.4 (Seemed from the pictures much better quality, and compatible with 7 speed)
Rear Cassette: SRAM 7 speed cassette (I'm still thinking if I should do this or not, it would most likely shift a lot better
Crankset: Shimano Acera/Alivio Crankset
Bottom Bracket: Shimano UN-55
Fork: Rockshox XC28 80mm (I figure this won't hurt the geometry too much).

Mind you I'm doing this on a budget, she isn't going to be beating on this bike if ever so it's going to be a basic pathed trail type bike or a bit more.

What do you guys think? I'm not looking for replies regarding getting a new bike because it's not an option at the moment.

roccobike

Are you going with new parts or used? I've done this type of upgrade and went with used parts off ebay or CL and both bikes came out really nice. However, I targeted used Deore level or higher derailers.
The only part I wouldn't replace is the 7 speed cassette. First, is it a cassette or a freewheel? If it's working OK, I'd leave it. IMHO, the SRAM is not that much of an upgrade. I think you're right about the 80cm shock. 100mm would alter the geometry of the bike and could affect the handling, I think the 80 will work fine.

gryffinwings

I'm going with new parts just because I know we will get more life out of them. Although if I can get the parts for a good price I may go with used. The cassette (rear gears) as you say really doesn't have any issues, I just figured a different cassette would shift better. As far as the rear derailleur, I think your right, I think I'll be going after the sram x.7 model, I'm not willing to replace the SRAM thumb shifters just to go with shimano on this bike.

Canker

Only upgrade I see worthwhile is the fork. If everything else is working leave it a lone until it needs replaced. I really wouldn't bother with those derailleur since they are barely an upgrade. Just wait till you upgrade your bike and shift your old stuff 8/9 speed whatever over to her bike or catch a deal on used stuff on ebay. I've been spending a lot of time there upgrading my old spare bike on the cheap real cheap. Lots of couple year old 80mm air forks on ebay btw.

gryffinwings

Oh... I'm replacing it for durability issues of the sram x3 rear derailleur, when I got this bike the lower arm of the rear derailleur was bent a little, I noticed the materiak for that area was really soft, thesame reason for replacing the front derailleur. The good thing aboutthe x7 is that its 7-9 speed compatible.

MisterK

Its like you're skimping on everything else then tossing a deore equivalent on the rear cuz its better...a lil overkill if you just need 7spped

gryffinwings

Do you think the x4 would be sufficient? Because it looks to be a decent part from the pictures and reviews.

Grimlock

Like canker said, the fork is the only thing that makes sense here (and I'm skeptical about that too). If she's not riding more than gravel trails, you have yourself a make-work project. The bike is fine as it is. When something breaks, replace it with something better. You won't get any money for the parts you're taking off so you might as well run them into the ground. Besides, the parts you want to put on aren't much better.

gryffinwings

Well I ended up replacing the crankset and bottom bracket which I new was needing replacement, the cranks big chain ring was bent and rusted and the bottom bracket wasn't solid, it wiggled. Ended up getting the Shimano Acera M361 crankset with a Shimano UN55 bottom bracket for longevity and durability. I used my new Nashbar Essential Tool kit to perform the upgrade.

The good about the new crank is that the chain rings are replacable.

Old stuff, the bottom bracket was shot as well, bearings on drive side were loose and the carrier was disintegrated.



New Install:

jimc101

As with others here, the proposed upgrades you are planning are not worth doing, as the upgrade is so small; even your plan of changing all the new components to a new frame is not a good one, as the chances are that a lot won't fit, the BB for example, your current one may have a 68mm shell, the new one 73mm, meaning the old one won't fit, and another new one will be required.

Would have a look at the cost of a complete bike from somewhere like Bikesdirect, as they will offer far better value for money to what you are attempting to do.

For the fork, if a bike has a 63mm travel fork stock, it will accommodate upto 100mm forks with no adverse effects to handling.

Daspydyr 

Good call on the crank, that bearing was hammered. NICE

Burton

The question is - was the BB actually finished? Or did it just need $3 worth of new bearings? What were the bearing race faces like?

gryffinwings

You do realize that getting another frame with a 68mm BB shell is not a hard thing to do, from what I recall it's a pretty common standard, this is of course if I ever plan to change the frame, for now I only plan on changing the parts as they break or wear out with more durable parts and parts that function. As I already have the bike it is cheaper for me and my wife to replace the parts as the bike itself was ridiculously cheap when I bought it with my Specialized Hardrock Sport for $150.

gryffinwings

Actually that's not the question at all, I'd rather replace a loose bearing BB with a sealed bearing BB which requires far less maintenance and the Shimano unit is far smoother in operation than the piece that came off.

roccobike

Well it appears that you've made up your mind to upgrade that bike and there's absolutely nothing wrong with that especially if you're doing the work yourself. Most of us have upgraded bikes and it wasn't always because the old parts where worn out. Have fun, BTW I still like the idea of buying a higher end, used fork if you can find a 80MM travel fork on ebay or CL.
Got to admit, that crank is way nicer than the old one.

gryffinwings

I'm still toying with that idea, I still haven't found anything I would buy in the price range I prefer to spend for this bike.