Introduction
The idea is to transform a cheap hybrid bike into a cyclocross bike. Of course, this can't be done. The idea is to slowly replace parts from the original bike until all of them have been replaced. Why not buy a new bike? Well, I want to learn during the process and experience first hand what is the best bike for me. This blog will describe the process I have undertaken so far and I'll write new entries as I do more stuff. I commute around 5 miles a day, every day and save 60 pounds a month by not using public transport. This saving becomes my project's budget.
Original bike
I bought the cheapest functional hybrid bike I could find. It cost me around 100 pounds including lights, helmet and u-lock. All its parts were the cheapest you can find. It has six speeds, v-brakes and 26 inches wheels. The bike is Argxx (hey! no free marketing) cheapest hybrid brand Challenge. Probably the name comes from the 'challenge' you face in trying to stop the bike from falling apart after the first two rides. It's a MAN bike!!! Yeah! Heavy and difficult to handle! I'm kidding, it's just crap.
This little guy is quite loyal. I rode it for about 6 months before it started giving issues. The main issues come from the drive train system: crankset, cassette, shifter and rear derailleur (that's the order in which they failed and had to be replaced). I have noticed that purists say that the frame and wheels are the most important part of a bike so you should expend big bucks in them (yes I mix british and american stuff). However, I'm going to choose to ignore them as I do with lots of other experts' advice.
Anyway, I replaced all that stuff with brand new toys!
Anyway, I replaced all that stuff with brand new toys!
New crankset
So the bike had a super crappy single speed crankset and because this is the fixie era, finding a fancy single speed crankset was relatively easy. I got this one because I was fed up with bottom bracket bearings. Also, it was just the right price ;) (most decent square bottom brackets come with sealed bearing nowadays, but it was one of those days I just felt like being special)
This Shimano Alfine uses the Hollowtech II technology which means that ohh yeah! You need to buy special tools to install it! Isn't that exciting? So I bought the tool and installed it. I imagine Shimano's design process and the chief engineer telling them: 'Gentlemen! We need to design a new part: forget about everything you knew, just make sure it needs a completely new tool!'
You will need some special tools, but more importantly your frame has to be straight! Wait what? Yeah, I was lucky that my crappy frame was straight, but it might not be the case. Hollowtech II is screwed into the frame while other bottom brackets are not. However, it's impossible to figure out if your frame is straight before trying to fit one of these bad boys. So, buy it and cross your fingers. If you don't like strong emotions (or having to send stuff back to the sellers) buy a square bottom bracket. I must say this crank set is pretty amazing and seems like it will stand anything I can throw at it.
New freewheel
Then I changed the rest of the things that were falling apart. Literally, my cassette was bio-degrading (if that's possible). The lovely weather where I live does that for anything that doesn't have Optimus Prime level armor. Bits and pieces I changed were: the freewheel, the rear mech and (I had to) change the shifter.
I did my homework and researched what to buy. The conclusion was that because my old cassette... wait wait WRONG! My freewheel (if you don't know what I'm talking about http://sheldonbrown.com/free-k7.html BTW Sheldon's page has everything you are going to need, ever!) had 6 speeds, I should be able to upgrade it to 7. So, I went and replaced it (old one on the left and new one on the right):
I did my homework and researched what to buy. The conclusion was that because my old cassette... wait wait WRONG! My freewheel (if you don't know what I'm talking about http://sheldonbrown.com/free-k7.html BTW Sheldon's page has everything you are going to need, ever!) had 6 speeds, I should be able to upgrade it to 7. So, I went and replaced it (old one on the left and new one on the right):
Now, you need to take the freewheel out with the guy on the far right. Be aware of buying the right one for your freewheel or you will have to buy another and your budget will be utter destroyed FOR EVER! nah, I'm kidding they're like 5 quid so don't worry about it. This guy fit both freewheels. So far so good until.... (thunder and lighting effect please), you need to actually take it out! I tried with a normal 15 cm french tool and nothing happened. So I decided to put all my background behind this endeavor: yes, I designed and manufactured my own tool for the task. You can see it next:
I know what you're thinking. Don't worry, you should be able to buy it at your local shop soon: I'm just waiting for the patent to be approved.
New rear derailleur and shifter
It's difficult to find shifters and rear mechs or rear deraullieur for 6 speed. It's even difficult for 7, but I did. What I couldn't find was a shifter for 7 gears at the quality level I wanted. So I got one for 8 gears, it works perfectly. Here is what I got:
Sadly when I received these guys I realised I was going to need another part. My old crappy rear mech had the hanger included with it. You can see a picture of it on the far right (believe or not, it is just a picture and not the one I had on my bike).
Of course, because I do things the right way, I don't read instruction manuals and I don't look what I need before buying (BTW I have no idea what's the difference between a rear mech and a rear derailleur so I assume they are the same)! So, my project was on hold for a week until I got this baby from e-bay. Quite cheap but be aware! It's the only one I could find with the right shape in the whole world wide web!
Of course, because I do things the right way, I don't read instruction manuals and I don't look what I need before buying (BTW I have no idea what's the difference between a rear mech and a rear derailleur so I assume they are the same)! So, my project was on hold for a week until I got this baby from e-bay. Quite cheap but be aware! It's the only one I could find with the right shape in the whole world wide web!
So I put everything in place, I set up my rear mech so the wee screws can avoid messing up things if I go into the 8 speed by mistake and voila! All done!!! Tadaaa!