Thoughts on upgrades/tlc for my wife's bike
Discussion
My wife has an oldish Gary Fisher Tassajara that she loves. It does need some updating and some TLC and I don't want to spend a fortune on it.
The difficulties kick in when we consider that it doesn't have a disc mount on the frame, so we're stuck with V brakes, it's also running 3x9 which she is happy enough with.
I can't remember the exact fork, but it's a Rockshox air spring thing also with brake bosses.
The drivetrain is old, but doesn't have many miles on, some FSA carbon cranks, XT mechs, XT cassette etc.
The plan is to try and upgrade/improve:
- Wheels - Thinking some XT hub/XM317 wheels with DT Comps from Merlin ~ £165
- Brakes - Try to find some M750 XT V brakes and levers
- Shifters - some used M750 XT shifters
- Fork - need help! They've had zero servicing but don't look damaged externally. Any suggestions for something decent, light and that has brake bosses that I can look for second hand?
I did start looking for a newer bike in the classifieds/ebay, but standing 5' tall she needs a very small frame and this limits choice a lot.
Any thoughts or suggestions to the above?
The difficulties kick in when we consider that it doesn't have a disc mount on the frame, so we're stuck with V brakes, it's also running 3x9 which she is happy enough with.
I can't remember the exact fork, but it's a Rockshox air spring thing also with brake bosses.
The drivetrain is old, but doesn't have many miles on, some FSA carbon cranks, XT mechs, XT cassette etc.
The plan is to try and upgrade/improve:
- Wheels - Thinking some XT hub/XM317 wheels with DT Comps from Merlin ~ £165
- Brakes - Try to find some M750 XT V brakes and levers
- Shifters - some used M750 XT shifters
- Fork - need help! They've had zero servicing but don't look damaged externally. Any suggestions for something decent, light and that has brake bosses that I can look for second hand?
I did start looking for a newer bike in the classifieds/ebay, but standing 5' tall she needs a very small frame and this limits choice a lot.
Any thoughts or suggestions to the above?
5678 said:
My wife has an oldish Gary Fisher Tassajara that she loves. It does need some updating and some TLC and I don't want to spend a fortune on it.
The difficulties kick in when we consider that it doesn't have a disc mount on the frame, so we're stuck with V brakes, it's also running 3x9 which she is happy enough with.
I can't remember the exact fork, but it's a Rockshox air spring thing also with brake bosses.
The drivetrain is old, but doesn't have many miles on, some FSA carbon cranks, XT mechs, XT cassette etc.
The plan is to try and upgrade/improve:
- Wheels - Thinking some XT hub/XM317 wheels with DT Comps from Merlin ~ £165
- Brakes - Try to find some M750 XT V brakes and levers
- Shifters - some used M750 XT shifters
- Fork - need help! They've had zero servicing but don't look damaged externally. Any suggestions for something decent, light and that has brake bosses that I can look for second hand?
I did start looking for a newer bike in the classifieds/ebay, but standing 5' tall she needs a very small frame and this limits choice a lot.
Any thoughts or suggestions to the above?
You can't polish a...The difficulties kick in when we consider that it doesn't have a disc mount on the frame, so we're stuck with V brakes, it's also running 3x9 which she is happy enough with.
I can't remember the exact fork, but it's a Rockshox air spring thing also with brake bosses.
The drivetrain is old, but doesn't have many miles on, some FSA carbon cranks, XT mechs, XT cassette etc.
The plan is to try and upgrade/improve:
- Wheels - Thinking some XT hub/XM317 wheels with DT Comps from Merlin ~ £165
- Brakes - Try to find some M750 XT V brakes and levers
- Shifters - some used M750 XT shifters
- Fork - need help! They've had zero servicing but don't look damaged externally. Any suggestions for something decent, light and that has brake bosses that I can look for second hand?
I did start looking for a newer bike in the classifieds/ebay, but standing 5' tall she needs a very small frame and this limits choice a lot.
Any thoughts or suggestions to the above?
I'm not saying the bike as it stands is bad but you started off by mentioning disc brakes so if the bike is fundamentally not of sufficient spec to achieve what you'd really want, you are only papering over the issue.
Also, if you're looking at £165 for wheels, some brakes and another fork, you must be at the point where looking for a suitable new bike makes sense, surely?
5678 said:
I have suggested it to her a few times!
I'll keep a look on the classifieds to look for a bargain. I'm not spending new bike money (and losing loads of it straight away!)
Sounds like a fairly low use bike, nothing wrong with v brakes for that. What about some second hand wheels, 100£ should blag some nice hope hubbed ones, look out for disc hubs with pristine rim brake rims. Get the fork properly serviced and set up for her weight, you should do this with a different fork anyway. Spend some money on some nice light tires and tube's. Fit new cables all round. You'll also need new bar grips, old ones always go baggy when you remove them to change controls.I'll keep a look on the classifieds to look for a bargain. I'm not spending new bike money (and losing loads of it straight away!)
5678 said:
My wife has an oldish Gary Fisher Tassajara that she loves. It does need some updating and some TLC and I don't want to spend a fortune on it.
The difficulties kick in when we consider that it doesn't have a disc mount on the frame, so we're stuck with V brakes, it's also running 3x9 which she is happy enough with.
I can't remember the exact fork, but it's a Rockshox air spring thing also with brake bosses.
The drivetrain is old, but doesn't have many miles on, some FSA carbon cranks, XT mechs, XT cassette etc.
The plan is to try and upgrade/improve:
- Wheels - Thinking some XT hub/XM317 wheels with DT Comps from Merlin ~ £165
- Brakes - Try to find some M750 XT V brakes and levers
- Shifters - some used M750 XT shifters
- Fork - need help! They've had zero servicing but don't look damaged externally. Any suggestions for something decent, light and that has brake bosses that I can look for second hand?
I did start looking for a newer bike in the classifieds/ebay, but standing 5' tall she needs a very small frame and this limits choice a lot.
Any thoughts or suggestions to the above?
What's the objective here? I'd start with a full service - new cables, new bearings, forks serviced, new pads, wheels trued, tyres properly inflated etc. Then see if anything actually needs replacing - probably sprockets and chain, maybe chainrings too if they're sharktoothy (just middle one perhaps).The difficulties kick in when we consider that it doesn't have a disc mount on the frame, so we're stuck with V brakes, it's also running 3x9 which she is happy enough with.
I can't remember the exact fork, but it's a Rockshox air spring thing also with brake bosses.
The drivetrain is old, but doesn't have many miles on, some FSA carbon cranks, XT mechs, XT cassette etc.
The plan is to try and upgrade/improve:
- Wheels - Thinking some XT hub/XM317 wheels with DT Comps from Merlin ~ £165
- Brakes - Try to find some M750 XT V brakes and levers
- Shifters - some used M750 XT shifters
- Fork - need help! They've had zero servicing but don't look damaged externally. Any suggestions for something decent, light and that has brake bosses that I can look for second hand?
I did start looking for a newer bike in the classifieds/ebay, but standing 5' tall she needs a very small frame and this limits choice a lot.
Any thoughts or suggestions to the above?
Then you can look at upgrades if they're still "needed".
Cabinet Enforcer said:
Sounds like a fairly low use bike, nothing wrong with v brakes for that. What about some second hand wheels, 100£ should blag some nice hope hubbed ones, look out for disc hubs with pristine rim brake rims. Get the fork properly serviced and set up for her weight, you should do this with a different fork anyway. Spend some money on some nice light tires and tube's. Fit new cables all round. You'll also need new bar grips, old ones always go baggy when you remove them to change controls.
You get the idea 
She used to ride it a lot, biking is actually how we met in the first place! But since kids she prefers to run as it's easier for her to fit in. The kids are a bit older now and we've got a trailer and tag along. After a fairly long ride at the weekend it's highlighted the bits that need attention.
This started off as me just replacing the cables, but you know how a man likes a bit of scope creep.
I've got some XT shifters sorted now, just deciding if I pull the trigger on some XT V brakes and LX levers from RoseBikes for £55 or not.
Her forks, I might just try to service. I've seen a pair of Fox F80s for not a lot of money though so they might be worth a shot.
Wheels are the tough one though. I'd rather buy second hand, but finding some is a bit tricky. Anything with an xm317 or xc717 will do.
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