Spec me some upgraded components for my bike please

SexyGreyFox

SexyGreyFox

SexyGreyFox

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Joined
29 Mar 2003
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Stoke on Trent
A friend gave me one of his old bikes last week and all I can say is that it really fits me compared to my other 3 bikes.
Please no arguments about this because I know that I feel good and confident on this frame.
Anyway, it's obvious that the components are the cheapest of the cheap so I was thinking about upgrading the Rear Mech and the disc brakes.
What I want to know should all components fit all bikes?
Should all the holes be in the same place?
The bike is 7 speed so I know I've got to buy another 7 speed Rear Mech and the disc size is 160mm so I know I've got to buy disc brakes that fit 160mm.

The original components are below but I've put a link to alternative parts above the pictures, should these fit?
Do you think they are decent alternatives or can you link to something better but I don't want to spend a fortune?
I also don't want to go the hydraulic brake route either.

Thanks a lot OCUK, much appreciated for any advise.

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/avid-bb5-mechanical-disc-brake/rp-prod67747

reardiscbrake2.jpg


http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/shimano-alivio-m410-7-8-speed-rear-mech/rp-prod30990

shimanoshifter2.jpg
 
You may struggle to find a 7 speed mech these days, short of going second hand. If you move to 8 or 9 speed, you've then got to upgrade the shifters as well. You migh be as well taking it into your lbs and getting a verdict and a quote for the work.
 
That mech will be fine. 5-8 speed are the same width, the shifter dictates what the mech does.

The brakes I'd look at tektro io or novels. Either that or a Shimano m515 or m525 that come in at £20-25 each.
 
What sort of bars are on it? flat mtb style or road drops?
If its flat - get some hydraulic disc brakes instead, not much more expensive than cable discs these days.

edit: actually, i think it would be pretty rare to find a bike that old with disc brakes and drop bars - so i guess it'll have mtb bars. Something like this?
 
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I'd also go for hydraulics but i think that bike may have brake/shifters combined so simple would need to change shifters too.

If it has gripshift then go for hydraulics.

Looks like an Apollo mtb to me.
 
I know you said you'd rather stick to cable discs but hydraulic ones really are that much better. The Deore set from Merlin posted above is a bargain and they work just as well as those further up the range.
 
You remove the calipers/cables/levers and fit the fully bled hydraulic brakes with their new levers.

I'd not change the chain unless I had to, see if oil helps it run smoothly, if you change it you may end up with it slipping if the freewheel has too much wear.

I'd be getting some degreaser on those rotors too before I put on new brakes as you don't want to contaminate new pads.
 
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Might be worth looking at Rose Cycles and Bike Discount, they're german based but I've found that component prices are really cheap even after postage cost, and normally it only takes around 3-4 days for delivery.

I've picked up front and rear hydraulic brakes before for under £30.
 
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