S
submarineshaun
Guest
Im currently building myself a touring bicycle.
On advice, I ordered myself a 50cm SURLEY Long Haul Trucker frame and now i'm ordering the other parts while waiting shipment to UK.
This is the first time I've built a bike, or indeed owned a bike other than the sub-£250 argos bikes. My budget is as little as I can get away with while bearing in mind I am buying this with the expectation it will replace a car for a good long period of my life, hopefully all of it, so Im expecting it to last a good 10-15 years and as well as making the 5 mile commute everyday, a 20 mile weekend visit to the parents, I plan to take the bicycle on holiday as a tourer around europe. Im expecting to pay 1,200-1,500 on everything.
I have decided to go with the Deore LX gearing and brakes as I am told that's where the quality components start. I notice there is a more expensive Deore XT for touring bikes also.
Can you mix and match these? I notice some pre-built bikes have mainly LX but with the odd XT bit, like the rear derailleur, thrown in. Is this worth the money, or should I stick with the comparable LX model? Any other components that are worth the upgrade?
Does anyone know if stuff like cables come with the components, eg: if I brought the brakes and levels (BR-T660 and BL-T660) would that be everything I need to fit them on and ride?
What is the difference between the FD-T660 and the FD-T661? I am quite confused on that.
I am also considering should I buy the approved Shimano chain (C-HG73). Its expensive for a chain and I don't know what benefits it has over a tenner chain from halfords, particularly when I have read somewhere that Shimano chains are particularly hard to maintain compared to other makes. Then again, after spending money on a quality chainset it seems silly to scrimp on the chain if it designed to work with the rest of the LX line perfectly.
Any knowledgeable cyclers care to venture their ideas? It would be appreciated.
On advice, I ordered myself a 50cm SURLEY Long Haul Trucker frame and now i'm ordering the other parts while waiting shipment to UK.
This is the first time I've built a bike, or indeed owned a bike other than the sub-£250 argos bikes. My budget is as little as I can get away with while bearing in mind I am buying this with the expectation it will replace a car for a good long period of my life, hopefully all of it, so Im expecting it to last a good 10-15 years and as well as making the 5 mile commute everyday, a 20 mile weekend visit to the parents, I plan to take the bicycle on holiday as a tourer around europe. Im expecting to pay 1,200-1,500 on everything.
I have decided to go with the Deore LX gearing and brakes as I am told that's where the quality components start. I notice there is a more expensive Deore XT for touring bikes also.
Can you mix and match these? I notice some pre-built bikes have mainly LX but with the odd XT bit, like the rear derailleur, thrown in. Is this worth the money, or should I stick with the comparable LX model? Any other components that are worth the upgrade?
Does anyone know if stuff like cables come with the components, eg: if I brought the brakes and levels (BR-T660 and BL-T660) would that be everything I need to fit them on and ride?
What is the difference between the FD-T660 and the FD-T661? I am quite confused on that.
I am also considering should I buy the approved Shimano chain (C-HG73). Its expensive for a chain and I don't know what benefits it has over a tenner chain from halfords, particularly when I have read somewhere that Shimano chains are particularly hard to maintain compared to other makes. Then again, after spending money on a quality chainset it seems silly to scrimp on the chain if it designed to work with the rest of the LX line perfectly.
Any knowledgeable cyclers care to venture their ideas? It would be appreciated.