component upgrades.

[madscot13]

So it looks like that K2 Mach 4.0 is probably sold since the poster hasn't emailed back. I actually really like my bike, as I call her the Old Turkey Bird. The Trek520 probably doesn't have the geometry that is perfect for me, but I'm young and flexible so I don't notice it too much!

The thing is it is pretty old (93) and I would like to think about replacing the components. It's a trek 520 touring bike and it has a mix of MTN and road parts. What if I replaced it with all road? it looks like a lot of newer touring bikes are doing that. What would the advantages of staying mixed or going road. I think I would like to go higher end parts shimano 105 (or even SRAM if I knew more about them) minimum since this is my one and only bike and I would get a lot out of upgrading it to some nice pieces. But would I really value those changes on an old lunker? Since my parts are so old and technology has come such a long way, I know I will feel a difference with any drivetrain switchout.

So as many of you know the Old Turkey Bird has downtube shifters. Any upgrade must take those out! I was thinking of putting on STIs but the down tube shifters and barcons are supposed to be indestructible. How much trouble have STIs for sure given you guys? I've actually never had any problems with my shifters and I don't want to lose that security. But at least I don't think I would strike my knee on the barcons- that long top tube is good for something!

[madscot13]

wow! I expected at least some input on the gear someone had or wished they had!

[motochick]

I just upgraded my old (early nineties) ti bike with new stuff. I had down-tube shifters that were 7 speed and updated it to 10 speed. I used SRAM rival for the drivetrain and went the barcons in Dura Ace. I wanted to keep it kind of era, plus the STI is way too much $$$. I went with a compact crank and I do a lot of UP riding. I think the upgrade was the best thing I could have done with my budget. I am very happy with it and it was not expensive if you shop around. So my 2 cents is to upgrade to all road as I noticed a HUGE improvement!

Brenda

[Zen]

Motochick, how much did it cost you to do that?
I don't know what Mad's riding will be like in the future but for where she is now I'd like to see her on a new Trek FX (big sale this week at the Bike Doctor in Frederick, tell 'em I sent you...or maybe not

[madscot13]

Way back when I almost bought an FX. I was split between the upright ride and the increased agility of the roadbike. I obviously went road bike but at least one that is not racing bent.

Living in DC makes me appreciated the upright riding more. I end up riding on the flats of my handlebars so much.

I love having a triple and i don't know if I could live without one. Although, my cassette is 7x. maybe a 9 or 10x would make me more amenable.

motochix, how did you choose SRAM over shimano? My bike is for commuting and so I wonder about choosing all ROAD over MTN.

[Zen]

if you're only looking at it as road vs. mountain, see post #17 in this thread "Mountain" might just be what you want.

[HillSlugger]

I just saw an old Trek catalog that shows this bike with barcon shifters. Is yours that lovely dark green?

[madscot13]

it is the dark green. I would like to replace it with that if poosible. it isn't not a flat forest green either. its sparkly ( in a good way

And Zen in a year you will have bike envy

[7rider]

That K2 just got posted again......

[madscot13]

that's funny because I know I emailed twice. maybe third time is a charm

[7rider]

Emails could be going to his/her spam folder ('cuz you're not in the person's addy book) and they're just not checking it.
D'oh!!!