Upgrade advice please (w/ pics)
07-16-07, 08:59 PM
#1
Hip-star
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Calgary, Alberta, Canada
Posts: 629
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Upgrade advice please (w/ pics)
Hi all, first post 
Just got my first fixie a month ago and I love it! It was built for me by a guy at a local bike shop. I am using it for commuting to and from school/work and for recreational city riding.
So far I have switched the little mountain bike front brake lever he had to a racing lever (it has been moved farther down since the picture was taken), added corked gel tape to the handlebar, swapped the pedals for an spd/plateform pedal to use with my old mountain bike shoes.
---
It's an old department store bike that was sitting in a garage basically unridden. I am looking to make it as sweet as possible and learn more about working with bikes by playing with the gear.
I am hoping to get some advice on what upgrades I might consider, best bang for the buck upgrades (I am a student just trying to get by). I was considering bullhorns, switching the break lever to something smaller in the middle of the handlebar, maybe switching the saddle, the seat post... Not really sure
Any advice is welcome. THANKS!
Just got my first fixie a month ago and I love it! It was built for me by a guy at a local bike shop. I am using it for commuting to and from school/work and for recreational city riding.
So far I have switched the little mountain bike front brake lever he had to a racing lever (it has been moved farther down since the picture was taken), added corked gel tape to the handlebar, swapped the pedals for an spd/plateform pedal to use with my old mountain bike shoes.
---
It's an old department store bike that was sitting in a garage basically unridden. I am looking to make it as sweet as possible and learn more about working with bikes by playing with the gear.
I am hoping to get some advice on what upgrades I might consider, best bang for the buck upgrades (I am a student just trying to get by). I was considering bullhorns, switching the break lever to something smaller in the middle of the handlebar, maybe switching the saddle, the seat post... Not really sure
Any advice is welcome. THANKS!
07-16-07, 09:06 PM
#2
or tarckeemoon, depending
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: the pesto of cities
Posts: 7,017
Bikes: Davidson Impulse, Merckx Titanium AX, Bruce Gordon Rock & Road, Cross Check custom build, On-One Il Pomino, Shawver Cycles cross, Zion 737, Mercian Vincitore, Brompton S1L, Charge Juicer
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
It looks a bit large for you. Honestly I wouldn't put a ton of money into that bike. Just ride it and fix stuff when it breaks.
07-16-07, 09:11 PM
#3
thomas masini lives
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: i aint dh no mo'
Posts: 3,495
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
if the saddle is comfortable dont change it
try bullhorns to see if you like them
make sure they will work with your stem before purchasing
try bullhorns to see if you like them
make sure they will work with your stem before purchasing
07-16-07, 09:44 PM
#4
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: laramie !
Posts: 1,110
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Is that bottled water? Quit using that stuff. That junk is choking the life out of mother earth.
https://www.culturechange.org/Petroleum&Plastics.html
https://www.culturechange.org/Petroleum&Plastics.html
07-16-07, 10:02 PM
#6
fails just as quickly
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: two miles behind
Posts: 522
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
What the hell happened to that brake lever?
For upgrades, new wheels would probably give the greatest improvement for the cost.
Also, don't worry about putting upgraded parts on a cheap frame. Eventually, you will find a better frame that you can put the good components on.
For upgrades, new wheels would probably give the greatest improvement for the cost.
Also, don't worry about putting upgraded parts on a cheap frame. Eventually, you will find a better frame that you can put the good components on.
07-16-07, 10:07 PM
#7
Hip-star
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Calgary, Alberta, Canada
Posts: 629
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Originally Posted by thequickfix
What the hell happened to that brake lever?
07-16-07, 11:15 PM
#9
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Sacramento
Posts: 1,013
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
As others have said, I would probably not spend too much more money on this bike.... its not bad, just not worth investing more money.
Bullhorns may be hard to find. Make sure you check first what the clamp diameter of your stem is before you buy. Looks like 25.4 from here.....
You brake lever looks a little scary. I have an extra Shimano 105 road brake lever with a white hood. Perfect working condition, but the hood is a little discolored since it has been sitting in my parts box for 10-some years. If you want it, I just want shipping money ($4 should cover it). LMK
Jeff
Bullhorns may be hard to find. Make sure you check first what the clamp diameter of your stem is before you buy. Looks like 25.4 from here.....
You brake lever looks a little scary. I have an extra Shimano 105 road brake lever with a white hood. Perfect working condition, but the hood is a little discolored since it has been sitting in my parts box for 10-some years. If you want it, I just want shipping money ($4 should cover it). LMK
Jeff
