hisho

Hi Everyone,

This is my first post, and I am a total beginner when it comes to bikes. My father and I are considering upgrading his old Apollo Laser Bike with 26" wheels (it hasn't been used for over 15 years). It has a 5x2 setup, I'm assuming it is a freewheel. We were considering upgrading it to a 1x10 setup but I am not sure if this is possible. I have measured the rear frame which comes up at 130mm, but looking at all the new wheels on eBay, they state that the rear hub is 135mm.

Are we not being realistic when it comes to upgrading this bike, or should we just purchase a 7-speed freewheel, I am not sure if this will even fit?

Thank you for your help!

Hisho

Murray Missile 

From the pics I could find on Google the Laser appears to be a pretty low end bike with 1 Pc. Ashtabula cranks and steel wheels. I'd just make the Laser functional the way it is and ride it or sell it and look for something else. This is from a guy who's put lipstick on a lot of pigs in his day.

Russ Roth

Not really being realistic. Most every 10 speed wheel will be quick release and your bike requires a bolt on wheel to keep the rear der attached, you can find a bolt on hub but they're rare. The rear der will require an adapter bracket to fit a rear der. You can fit a new crank to it but ultimately you're replacing a lot of parts for a lot end bike.

hisho

Thank you Russ Roth and Murray Missile for your replies. The only reason why we have considered this is because the gear shifter has been broken off and the gear cable has been snapped. I guess it would just be cheaper to just to buy a 5-speed gear shifter and connect it up.

Can we install drop handlebars on this bike? I understand it may mess the geometries up?

I can't upload pictures or a link unless I have 10 posts, so apologies.

katsup

OP's gallery with the bike photos
https://www.bikeforums.net/g/user/528709

I'd vote for just replacing the shifter and making the bike rideable as is. Not worth messing with a drop bar conversion on this bike.

Murray Missile 

Millions of bikes use quick releases with stamped dropouts and claw mount derailleur hangers. The hanger is held in position by a small bolt, either or through an axle spacer in the dropout or a hole in the dropout. Claw mount hangers are widely available to mount a bolt on RD. But yeah, regardless, the bike isn't worth the expense.

clubman 

Walk away from upgrades here.

bear_a_bug 

Agreed. Not sure what the market looks like for old MTBs in your area, but it's hard to go much lower in quality (brakes, frame, crankset, etc). It's throwing good money after bad, I'm afraid. Only the most nostalgic of attachments to the bike could make an upgrade worthwhile.

alcjphil

Drop handlebars will require new brake levers, probably a new stem along with suitable shifters, could easily exceed the value of the bike. Going to 10 speeds in back will probably require a custom built wheel along with a new rear derailleur. A 7 speed freewheel will require respacing the rear axle. Looking at the flimsy side pull brakes on this bike, this was a very low end department store bike when new, not worth any sort of upgrade, Replace the rear shifter and ride it as is