Pimp my ride

**Ordinary Hero** · 08-23-2007, 07:24 AM

Hey,

I have been thinking about some modest changes to my commuter bike.

I live in a FLAT country, no hills, and in the city. So despite I am dreaming of some of a full suspension MTB, it is of no use here. I know that it is prob. cheaper to buy a new bike, but it doesn't come just the way I want it

My bike is a "city" MTB 26', which I am currently running as a SS, by removing the gear changers.

The changes I have been thinking about:

a:Change the wheels from 26' to 29' (they fit, borrowed a friends), it will make it quicker, but how does this affect the riding position when the frame is lifted ~5 cm?

b:Regid fork instead of suspension. I would image that it would lower the handle bar and the angle on the head tube, and therefore the riding position?

c: new SS hubs. I need to find a decent quality. It does not have to be super strong as riding is mostly on paved roads. (Chris King is way to expensive). How does a SS affect the chainline, when crank is currently a triple?

d: Is it possible to drill holes for internal wiring, to give a clean look. Would I just destroy the frame, leading to breaking tubes etc.

e: Would you grind of the features used for the gears, bottlecage, when they are and will no longer be needed?

Hope some of you mag's can help a jong

**Andy_B** · 08-23-2007, 07:35 AM

Umm... Yeah.

Just buy a new bike.

Redline Monocog $450ish

**uncle crud** · 08-23-2007, 07:57 AM

I find it hard to take this post seriously.

Drilling holes in the frame just so it "looks cleaner"?

That's about as smart as shooting holes in your body when you have a fever, to cool you off.

Or using bloodletting to "get rid of ill humours" -- maybe even some cupping!

**Staggerwing** · 08-23-2007, 08:54 AM

How long is your commute? If you are just riding city streets, think 700c, NOT 29er. FWIW, they are the exact same diameter, just the 29er is typically wider, and has tread. Don't need or want tread on pavement, even when wet. For mixed hard trail/pavement a cyclocross tire might be the ticket. Run of the mill 700c wheels are going to be cheaper than 29er spec. Maybe something with a slightly wider rim, so you can run 700c-28 or 700c-32.

If you are on the streets, ditch the suspension/fork, unless you like going slower. At this point, it might be easier to buy a new, or used, frame that does the things you need. If you are patient, jump on the IRO Rob Roy group buy, but that is 3-4 months out.