monstorr

So I have a Gravity CXD and plan on upgrading/modifying some parts on the bike,

• Wider raised tread tires: Kenda Kross Supreme 700 x 35c, $30/ea
• Larger range cassette: Shimano 8 speed, HG41 11-34t, $22
• Upgraded front derailleur: Shimano Alivio (or similar), NOS for 7/8 speed, $18
• Upgraded rear derailleur: Shimano Alivio 7/8 speed, $25
• Remove top levers

Any additional suggestions? It will be for year round use but I intend to do cross next season. A local vendor offered those options.

I will also be adding clipless pedals but I am unsure which pedals and then do MTB shoes as well.

Thanks in advance!


Bike Specs
Frame Gravity CXSeries Aluminum, Engineered Top tube, Bi-Oval downtube, S-Bend seatstays, 2xH2O mounts, replaceable rear derailleur hanger, rear rack mounts. Disc Brake tabs
Fork Disc Brake Gravity Carbon Fiber Straightblade, 1.125 inch steerer, Front Rack mounts
Crankset Aluminum arms, triple ring 52/42/30T
Bottom Bracket Sealed cartridge, square taper
Front Derailleur SHIMANO Claris DOWN PULL for 8 Speed
Rear Derailleur SHIMANO SORA RD-3400 Long Cage for 8 Speed (24 gears total)
Shifters SHIMANO CLARIS STI for 8 Speed (24 gears total)
Cassette/Freewheel SunRace Cassette 12-25T for 8 Speed (24 gears total)
Chain SUNRACE for 8 Speed
HubsFORMULA Disc Brake aluminum, Black finish with Quick Release
SpokesStainless Steel
Rims Alex R450, Double Wall aluminum with machined brake track
Tires 700x32C Kenda KwickTrax, presta valve tubes (Wide Tires FIT with Room for up to 1.7" x 29er Tires)
Brakes Tektro Lyra, 160mm Rotors
Brake Levers SHIMANO CLARIS, Tektro RL570 cross top levers(getting rid of these)

shoota 

1) Skip the derailleur "upgrades", they aren't upgrades.
2) Shimano SPD mountain pedals are pretty hard to beat for the money. I'm thinking PD-M520 would do you fine.

chas58

+1 What shoota said.

I would (and do) put 40mm tires on the thing. They fit - no advantage to using 35mm. 40mm is a great size for cross (less chance of bottoming on the rim at low pressure). Cassette is a huge upgrade. I'm guessing it will fit with some B-screw adjustments, but 34 might be pushing it.

That bike runs a triple? (3x?)

monstorr

Thanks! I will look into those pedals for sure. Do you think its even worth upgrading the derailleurs? It has a Claris in the front and Sora in the rear.

Awesome thanks! And yes, the bike is a 3x. I updated the post with specs of the bike.

shoota 

That's exactly what I said. And now knowing that your bike is triple I say skip the cassette unless you need lower gearing, which is hard to imagine with a triple.

So maybe the better question here is..what's your purpose for "upgrading"?

monstorr

Honestly, there is no real reason. I went to that bike shop requesting any upgrades depending on what is needed for cross.

I just want to be able to get a few races and have the best possible experience on this bike before upgrading.

shoota 

Ah, there we go. In that case I wouldn't spend any money on this bike other than CX tires for CX. This isn't exactly a high end bike and I'd hate to throw money at it and then regret it.

monstorr

Noted! That was another fear. I didn't want to spend 3-500 upgrading the drivetrain when for a couple more hundred I could just get a new bike with a better frame and everything. I will bite the bullet on the clipless pedals and some 40mm tires!

shoota 

I think that is a much more sound plan. Especially since those two items are transferable to a new bike.