Drive Train Upgrade Assistance

[GrantS@52]

Hi All

 

Im New to Mountain Biking and have bought a 2017 Titan Sport in January this year, i havnt done too much mileage on it. maybe around 500km since.

 

Im starting to ride more now and Im considering changing my drive train on the bike to something a bit better, but im still just a casual rider.

 

The bike currently has a 3x8 Shimano setup (Stock).

 

I mostly ride tar and gravel roads, not major elevation.

 

Im wanting to go to a 3x10 setup, Im thinking of leaving the front 3 as is and changing the cassette, derailer, shifters and chain. to a x10.

 

Im wanting to get advice on the following if possible:

- Will this work?

- What dangers must i look out for in doing this?

- Where is the best place to get the parts?

 

Im thinking by doing this i can later change to 2x10.

 

I know that most people say rather upgrade the bike, but for now the bike is fine, im not looking at getting to serious, just want a small upgrade to enjoy the riding more. Also i dont have the budget for a bike upgrade.

 

Some advice and help would be greatly appreciated.

 

Thanks

Grant

[BaGearA]

3x10 adn 2x10 will be quite expensive ( don't have reliable numbers to give right now )

 

If you are fairly fit you can go with NX1 , 1x11 for R 2999 

 

That does not include crank and I have also seen people run older sram front mechs with it and do A mcgyver 2x11 

 

Front mech and shifter can be had off the classifieds for cheap 

 

Throw in A NW chain ring for another 600 randelas and you're looking at either 1x or 2x 11 at roughly 4k

[RiverInTheRoad]

Get a shimano Deore setup. There is a 10 speed 11-42 cassette which you can use for 3x or 1x. Best value for money.

[Kalahari Vegmot]

I hate 3x's, mostly because I don't like to put that much thinking into shifting. A 1x10 group can be had off the classifieds fairly cheaply, and that gives you all the gear range necessary if you have an expander kit.

 

10sp is also relatively cheap to maintain.

 

Something like this is a good bet:https://www.bikehub.co.za/classifieds/271992-sram-xo-2x10-with-kalbo-conversion-kit-to-1x10/

 

Bear in mind you might still need a cranks as yours might not have removable chainrings.

 

What's your budget?

[Ysterperd]

First of all, will you be able to fit a 10spd casette on your current freewheelbody, somehow doubt it if you have an 8spd.

 

Find out whether you can otherwise it would mean that you would need to get a new hub as well. StRts getting to expensive then

[porqui]

Just keep it as it is

 

Enjoy your riding

 

And when you have more experience you might come to a completely different conclusion

 

(Heck you may even go road bike heaven forbid)

[Kalahari Vegmot]

First of all, will you be able to fit a 10spd casette on your current freewheelbody, somehow doubt it if you have an 8spd.

Find out whether you can otherwise it would mean that you would need to get a new hub as well. StRts getting to expensive then

8-11sp cassettes fit on all shimano freebodys(only mtb with a small cog of 11t or bigger.)

[GrantS@52]

8-11sp cassettes fit on all shimano freebodys(only mtb with a small cog of 11t or bigger.)

 

8-11sp cassettes fit on all shimano freebodys(only mtb with a small cog of 11t or bigger.)

is a freebody and a free wheel the same thing?

 

Im sorry but some of these terms are still new to me haha.

[GrantS@52]

Im worried i wont be fit enough for a 2x or 1x set up for now.

[Odinson]

Grant, don’t overcapitalise on your bike. If you’re dead set on upgrading, go 2X9. Simpler as a three ring set up and is dirt cheap.

[Kalahari Vegmot]

is a freebody and a free wheel the same thing?

 

Im sorry but some of these terms are still new to me haha.

A freewheel is a thread-on cassette.

 

This is a freebody:

 

On the fitness: a 2x or 1x with expander set has the same granny(could have depending on the 1x's chainring) as a 3x

[Tatt]

Leave it as is for now, and only upgrade when you have completely worn it out.

 

I upgraded my Shimano SLX 3 x 9 to a 3 x 10 (22/32/42 x 36/11 if I remember correctly). Couldn't use the 42 with the 36, but everything else worked.

 

Tom

[GrantS@52]

Leave it as is for now, and only upgrade when you have completely worn it out.

 

I upgraded my Shimano SLX 3 x 9 to a 3 x 10 (22/32/42 x 36/11 if I remember correctly). Couldn't use the 42 with the 36, but everything else worked.

 

Tom

Im planning on leaving it to wear a bit longer, im just not sure how to tell when it needs replacing?

 

Im also the kind of person who likes to plan and figure out now things, hence why im asking for advice. Which i greatly do appreciate.

 

A freewheel is a thread-on cassette.

 

This is a freebody:prod78993_NC_NE_01.jpg

 

On the fitness: a 2x or 1x with expander set has the same granny(could have depending on the 1x's chainring) as a 3x

Ok i understand a bit better now. Whats an expander? That was my only concern with a 1x or 2x system is that i will tire out too fast and wont have the strength to keep the stamina going.

[Kalahari Vegmot]

Im planning on leaving it to wear a bit longer, im just not sure how to tell when it needs replacing?

 

Im also the kind of person who likes to plan and figure out now things, hence why im asking for advice. Which i greatly do appreciate.

 

 

Ok i understand a bit better now. Whats an expander? That was my only concern with a 1x or 2x system is that i will tire out too fast and wont have the strength to keep the stamina going.

An e pander kit is a bigger than normal big cog of the cassette(usually 42t for 10sp) with a 'in between' cog for those you are ditching to make space for the big one.

[BSG]

Changed my 3x10 to 1x10 with a 32t narrow wide chainring, 16t filler and 40t expander last week, replaced the 15 and 17t with the 16t filler.

This is my second Merida that I've done this conversion on and I just love the simplicity of 1x.

 

Sent from my VTR-L09 using Tapatalk

[dirtypot]

Expander is great if you already have a cassette that you want to convert.  However if you're buying a cassette to start with, then you might as well just get a Sunrace 11-42 cassette which has the expander built in with all of the correct gear ratios lower down to match.  I've done both, and the Sunrace option is by far the better one.