Old MTB Upgrade
#1
Newbie
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2020
Location: London
Posts: 2
Bikes: Raleigh Resonator MTB
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
Old MTB Upgrade
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
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
Last edited by hisho; 10-22-20 at 05:46 PM. Reason: forgot wheel size
Likes For hisho:
#2
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: 700 Ft. above sea level.
Posts: 3,249
Bikes: More than there were awhile ago.
Mentioned: 22 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 637 Post(s)
Liked 1,281 Times
in
609 Posts
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.
__________________
".....distasteful and easily triggered."
".....distasteful and easily triggered."
#3
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2019
Location: South Shore of Long Island
Posts: 2,799
Bikes: 2010 Carrera Volans, 2015 C-Dale Trail 2sl, 2017 Raleigh Rush Hour, 2017 Blue Proseccio, 1992 Giant Perigee, 80s Gitane Rallye Tandem
Mentioned: 12 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1088 Post(s)
Liked 1,022 Times
in
722 Posts
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.
#4
Newbie
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2020
Location: London
Posts: 2
Bikes: Raleigh Resonator MTB
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
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.
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.
#5
Senior Member
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.
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.
Likes For katsup:
#6
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: 700 Ft. above sea level.
Posts: 3,249
Bikes: More than there were awhile ago.
Mentioned: 22 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 637 Post(s)
Liked 1,281 Times
in
609 Posts
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.
Likes For Murray Missile:
#7
Phyllo-buster
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Nova Scotia
Posts: 8,846
Bikes: roadsters, club bikes, fixed and classic
Mentioned: 133 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2297 Post(s)
Liked 2,054 Times
in
1,254 Posts
Walk away from upgrades here.
Likes For clubman:
#8
Full Member
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.
Likes For bear_a_bug:
#9
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: Montreal, Quebec
Posts: 5,925
Mentioned: 16 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1818 Post(s)
Liked 1,693 Times
in
974 Posts
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
Likes For alcjphil: