Next project! When I decided not to be fat anymore a fair few months back I decided I wanted to get back in to bike riding. I didn't have a bike and a mate offered me his to get me going. Done a fair few miles on it the last year or so, but it's got to the stage where my riding requirements don't work well with it. It's configured as a hardcore downhill mountain bike for which it is undoubtedly awesome, but it's horrendously low geared and has fat knobbly tyres (a bit like me before my diet).
I've been looking on and off at buying a new bike to match my riding style, but as I'm stuck working from home I thought I would increase my bicycle upgrading knowledge from absolute bugger all, to somewhere vaguely knowledgeable.
Project goal is to make it quicker on the flat towpaths/gravel tracks I use, and subsequently a bit safer on road. I don't "downhill"!
So this is the candidate... (It's dirty cos it gets used!)
So initial plans are to upgrade the chain rings from 24/36 to 32/48. First I had to learn all about BCD (bolt circle diameter) which is the equivalent of PCD on car wheels (currently 4 x 104 for the main ring and 4 x 64 for the small one).
Could only figure this out by working out how to remove the crank, so had to learn about the different types for that. Followed by "bottom brackets". Figured I can pull the existing crank apart and remove the two chain rings to measure them accurately. Found a nifty chart which could be printed off and the chain rings placed on top, line the holes up and it gives the correct bolt pattern.
So I now have a couple of chain rings being delivered in the next couple of days.
Because the current chain rings are smaller than the new ones, I need to lengthen the chain. I've cheated and ordered a new chain, and a set of chain tools to fit it.
Finally for now, I've just ordered some new rubber. Dropping the size slightly from 26" x 2.35 to 26" x 2.20, and changed the style to a cyclo cross tread pattern. No more aggressive knobblies so it won't sound like a nest of angry wasps on tarmac, and lower rolling resistance so it's a little easier on my lungs!
Heaven knows how this all goes back together, I'm hoping it's as plug and play as it should be. Should it all fit together then I need to work out how to adjust derailleurs again (something I've not done since I was 15.
Cross your fingers for me....
