You don't need to be an 'investor' to invest in Singletrack: 6 days left: 95% of target - Find out more
After acquiring a bike for my littlun from the classifieds that requires some work i need some help please!
It is a 3 x 7 setup with a gripshift. I would like to swap it to triggers and foam grips as my daughter has smaller hands and gets on better with these than twist shifters/grip shift.
Question is are all 3 speed front mechs/shifters compatible/same pull?
And 7 speed rear - can i sue a 7/8/9 speed shifter?
All shimano BTW!!
Fork wise it has a 50mm sus fork on - thinking of swapping fro a rigid fork for lighteness but as an after thought - could it be replaced with an old 26" air fork if i fashion a spacer to reduce the travel?
front mechs are all the same, 7 speed rear use a 7 speed shifter for easy of setting up.
I'd just leave the fork or switch to a rigid.
If you have some money/time to spend I do endorse spending some of both hunting down the bargains to entirely rebuild the drivechain. My kid's bikes are 24" Carrera Blasts that both came with 3x7 drivechains and gripshift. As 7 speed hubs are smaller (unless you're lucky enough to have a larger freehub with a spacer) I ended up buying a used Deore hub, rebuilding the rear wheel, and then using a Zee rear mech with a 11-36 cassette and a 32t chainring. Not quite the range of a traditional 3x9 or even a modern 11-42 but with smaller wheels the gearing goes further, and I've seen my son get up hills that riding buddies in my club have walked. Also the Zee mechs are tough as nails and have short cages so they're less in the way of trail debris, and no front mech means less faffing.
Because everyone loves pictures:
Like what has been said I swapped the grip shift on my lads genesis for this which was a straight swap
SHIMANO Unisex's SLM310R7 Bike Parts, Other, One Size https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00EXU0WBK/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_xl3iDb4VFTNK2
Also check if you have 135mm spacing on the back wheel (standard mtb). Cheap 7speed wheels can’t usually be upgraded to more gears as they are screw-on. My lads is 135 but screw on so I’m going to build some spare hope hubs up when he’s ready and I’ll go to 10speed zee. I’d not worry about the forks as they are usually pretty useless and even if you did get some 26” forks on they would probably be too stiff and so wasted anyway. Best bet is look out for some cheap rigid forks to pop up In the classifieds. Or you could go for some of these ( if assumed 24” but you can get 20” or 26” disc or v brake. I have even seen them in the classifieds on here so
https://www.carboncycles.cc/index.php?p=588&
Right onto this - now i NEED a left hand shifter - anyone got a spare lying around for postage/beer?
I have an 8 speed one kicking about I think. It'll be late 90s xt and band on, cable fed from above if I can find it
Might that work? If so PM me and I'll rummage through the boxes over next day or two.
A fork like this that can have the travel wound down on:
https://singletrackmag.com/classifieds/advert/rockshox-tora-u-turn-100-130mm-for-26in/
Let me know if of interest :o)