More Off Road to my Trekking Bike!

Well, as a person grows, so do his needs (or wants)…

I chose to return to cycling after many years with a trekking bike in order to maintain flexibility and pinpoint my playground later on as a grown up and better informed rider.

As time goes by I find that my routes take me to the mountain more and more. Thank God I chose the sportster that has proven a tough and loyal friend to take with me.
But a potent frame alone can’t cope with the terrain as I rise my speed. So I had to make decisions…

I decided to stay with the Sportster and upgrade those parts that will enhance the off-road profile of the bike.

Tires will be changing to schwalbe Smart Sams 700x40c any day now, and the plan includes both the rear and front mechs to be replaced with Shimano XT parts. I also consider the fork, but I will keep this one for some more time to keep budget in control.

Aesthetically I chose a Laser V WTB saddle – weight benefit as well here, and a red Hope saddle clamp to add some color and match the red details of the saddle.

I think the bottom bracket, chainset and cranks will do the job just fine for a long time.

If you have any proposals I would be glad to listen to them and any upgrade experiences with trekking bikes is also very welcome!

PS: initially I thought about changing to a mountain bike altogether but then I dropped the idea since I want tarmac to stay in the menu and since my off-road demands are covered to a great extent with the Sportster as is stands.

 

Well, this is true, but very costly…

My main consideration is to keep cost as low as possible (always related to performance gain of course). So, in case I will be moving to an mtb for the trails, I would not have been wasting too much money on the Sportster.
In that case I will be left with a good all-round trekking bike and an mtb.

 

Well, decisions have been made!

As I'm (still) waiting for my tires to arrive, a second order is on it's way home.

I decided to completely upgrade everything in the drive chain along with a 9 speed cassette and new gear shifters to cope with it.

So, the front and rear derailers will be upgraded to XT 770 - shadow for the rear.
The crankset will be changing to Shimano Deore LX - integrated bottom bracket.
Shimano HG80 1-34 9speed cassette and chain.
Deore SLX rapid-shift 9 speed gear shifters.

I hope the upgrade will have a strong impact on the bike, which I consider very good as it is.

The saddle change alone improved comfort by far.

Cost wise, It is still a cheaper bike than a P1, and the specs are getting really close.

Most probably a couple of weeks after Orthodox Easter - mid April I guess - the bike will be assembled and eventually test driven. Should I hold my breath? I think not!

 

Thanx!

The bike is so much better now...

But still there is room for improvement. Last week I rode with a friend on a nearby mountain, when some really hard terrain appeared. I had a hard time keeping myself on the bike and I also tried his all mountai on the same spot. It was like riding a magic carpet...

I think that the fork was the most striking difference. His would absorb the bumps something like 80% more and thus allowed the bike to follow the path without any effort.

I really wonder what would become of a trekking bike equiped with a Rock Shox Reba SL 29er fork...

 

please accept my apologies...I will try to respond soon!

 

One thing that is not so visible is that the terrain differs in every country, not to mention each area...

In Greece most moyntains are very rocky with the rock not just lying on the surface, but being burried in the ground with sharp parts of it making it to the surface. This is so usual that you face it on forest roads and trails as well.

The difference between the Suntour - which is hardly capable for any off road situation and the rock shox (if I remember correctly) was huge and immediate.
I would buy one in a heartbeat.

But still...

I wonder how the bike will be after a major tweaking like that. This change will affect the bike as a whole. Hmmm...I just don't know...

 

It's always nice to know someone can feel your pain (when riding on rocks).

Another thing I keep thinking about is that all these accessories may well end up on some 29er Fs frame next year.

But still I love the Sportster!

And nonetheless there is NOBODY in Greece riding those trails I do with a hybrid. In a way I feel like a pioneer!!!

 

You guys are forcing me to clean up the monster… I’ll try this week…

 

Ok guys!

Clean bike & clean mind from Greece...

This is the bike upgraded, but it will not be like this for long... soon the fork will be replaced and the handlebar will become somewhat longer for imporoved control.

Keep on trekking!