Vermilion

Univega Via de Oro, mid-1990s. The previous owner had installed road parts (drop bar, bar end shifters, double crank). I rehybridized it with a 28-38-48 crank. It's quick, smooth, and stable.

t2p

recent road trip to central PA

Dragum

t2p

Friday night ride before pizza and beer

JustaJoe

orbano

Nice lights! Can't wait to take pictures this weekend on my first longer ride

ViO

I am also thinking of replacing the stock 11-36 cassette with a 11-42. My crank set is also 46-30. However, my rear derailleur is a newer long arm ALTUS M2000 in a 2x9 setup that actually shifts quite well.

As for the gain in hill climbing capabilities how much do you feel a difference from the 36 to 42 gear?

Also, just curious if you changed the entire chain or if you just added a few more links?

poiuyt

Changing the cassette to an 11/42 will require your to adjust the b-screw of the derailleur, or install an accessory like a goat link if your derailleur can't handle it. This is where the shifting performance will decrease (but generally speaking, a Deore will still shift better than an Altus or Acera — no need to go for the M5120, the M4120 will do as well, you don't need the clutch on a 2x). The difference between 11/42 and 11/36 is significant uphill, yes, but more in the sense that it makes long uphills less strenuous, on technical trails, the limit remains the rest of the bike. I changed the entire chain, because I went from 2x9 to 2x10 — it was worn anyway. Although I tried at some point a microshift advent 11/42 9 speed cassette, and the shifting performance was too problematic, but I wanted to keep the 11/42. So the choice was either to stay in 9-speed and go for an Advent or replacing the cassette and the chain as well and go for the Deore. I chose the latter because of the availability of parts: Microshift is not widely distributed here.

Now if I were to do it in "today's market": yes and no. Note that the 2020 DS has a bottom bracket shell of 73mm (from 2021, they have 68mm BB shells), so this crank is currently the only 46/30 available. The increase of range and upgrading to better components was worth it. Note that what I did was the only choice if I wanted to keep the 46/30 cranks (and I'm off-specs in terms of rear derailleur capacity). On newer DSses, there's another option, but that requires changing the whole drivetrain in one operation: a mullet with GRX cranks and an XT RD-M8000-SGS rear (that can handle 46/30 front and 11/42 rear within specs, and possibly even 11/46). But the new Shimano CUES seems more interesting: 46/30 cranks and 11/45 cassettes, but components are not available yet, so I'd wait for that in today's market.

ViO

Thank you! That’s really good information.. I really want to keep everything the same though (m2000 Derailleurs, Shifters, 46-30 Crank 2x9 all Altus). Btw.. This is on a 2023 Trek DS2 gen 4. Could I get away with just installing the Sunrace 11-40 rear cassette as opposed to the 11-42. It’s a more conservative change vs my 11-36 cassette? I’ve heard the Shimano Altus rear derailleur can go slightly beyond max spec of 36T. I suppose, if the B screw couldn’t handle the additional clearance (which I believe it can by looking at its range of movement) wouldn’t Road Link be the better option for my situation? What are your thoughts?

SunRace Unisex's CSM980 Cassette, Black, 11-40 Tooth https://a.co/d/3OM2LoD

poiuyt

Depends on what you want to place the cursor for the compromise between raw capabilities and refinement. The range gain will be noticeable, but it won't fundamentally change the capabilities of the bike. The drawback is lower shifting performance (especially on small sprockets), that is for me more critical.

Based on your other post, you wrote that you do 90% road, 10% off-road. Up to you if you want to lower the experience on the 90% (like having to shift 2-up, 1-down to reach a 1-up change) to improve marginally the 10% of off-road. My experience is that stretching the abilities of the Altus/Acera is not worth it, and I don't think that 11/40 instead of 11/42 will change the conclusion dramatically. I wouldn't change the cassette until it's worn anyway.

Note that upgrading to Deore M4120 is about 60€ at current price (on top of the cassette and chain), so not a crazy expense if you want to improve the bike, and that will be more significant than just the cassette.

ViO

Again, Thank you for the good advice. 😊👍

bmanpgh

My Trek 7300 Multitrack on the Great Allegheny Passage near West Newton a couple of weeks ago.

rumrunn6

my Marin Muirwoods Urban/ Commuter Bike at Marconi Beach

t2p

t2p

hokiefyd 

t2p is that on the Cumberland, MD, end of the GAP? I think the western terminus is basically at the three rivers area in Pittsburgh, and this doesn't look like that. Is this where the C&O towpath transitions into the GAP?

Edit: disregard...I see from your other post, and now I can make out the sign, that this is in Confluence, PA.

JustaJoe

Guess this counts as a hybrid? After trying 4 other bikes, I believe I have found The One for me. American Tobacco Trail last weekend.

t2p

Panhandle trail near Collier / Walker’s Mill

Hank McMauser

Here's my new to me Schwinn DSB , got about $50 to $60 into it now, replaced rotors,pads,handlebar,stem, and stem cap. The seat was scavenged off an old Huffy , and believe it or not it's rather comfortable. Pedals are on loan from my Raleigh Mojave until next payday rolls around.

Cornchips

Joined the Specialized Sirrus X 3.0 (2022) fam today.

First impressions from the 15km/9mi ride home from the bike shop:

- Noticeably lighter than the Giant Roam and Escape I have in my collection (almost feels like a 'road bike' in comparison, despite being almost marketed as a 'gravel bike')
- Found myself 'running out of gears' on the flats/downhill. A slightly bigger front chainring would make the bike much better IMO
- Brakes are underwhelming (although not really a concern for me, as I generally need more help speeding up than slowing down)
- Aesthetically it is a very pleasant bike to look at. The colour scheme and reflective paint around the logo really make the bike pop.

Should be a great little bike for getting to the train station and hitting up the bike paths around town.

daywood 

I like its looks, too! So, are you going to make the changes/upgrades? Please post about it if you do.

Cornchips

TBC...I don't really have the mechanical aptitude to do it myself, so it could get pretty expensive pretty quick if I do...

Dragum

Leebob69

Added another Specialized to the herd this weekend. Had my LBS true the back rim. They jumped on it while I went and got lunch. The new one is a Specialized Alibi. Still has the airless wheel setup in front. Back rim is a replacement. That's the one I needed truing. An Alex rim. Well the back wheel is reinstalled. Brake is readjusted. Took off the Cloud 9 seat. Installed a temporary one till a new Specialized Bridge Sport saddle arrives.
Here are the Specialized duo. The greenish one is the Alibi. Maroon is my Sirrus X 3.0.


And a trio shot with my Trek MultiTrack

Leebob69

I have an update on the Specialized Alibi. When I picked up this bike it still had one airless tire in the front. That's now history. Installed a pair of Specialized Pathfinder Sports and new tubes. The OEM rim in front was ready for a tube air stem. Just had to remove a sticker. Schrader valve size. Good that matches the non OEM Alex rim in back. Now for the not great news. The front rim's inside width dimension is 21mm. That's good.
The back Alex rim is only 18mm wide inside. Sure wish it was a bit wider. I installed 700x42 tires. If you multiple 18 times 2.5 you get 45. Sheldon Brown's chart says I went to big but they do say that the chart is a bit conservative. Fingers crossed


I'm currently running 40psi. I might try 45psi and see if I can notice a difference.