Jacobus Louw Posted February 12, 2019 Share Hi everyone! New here. 24, Bellville/Langebaan WC, 1.96m, back on the bike after 7 years of not riding. I have a 2008 Merida Matts TFS 700 XC 26er with Deore on the front, XT on the back, and those stupid Deore brake lever / shifter hybrids. I have also realised that even though I want to, I can't buy a new bike. Now – Would it be wise/possible to upgrade to a Shimano or Sram 1x11 system? Any input on other upgrade suggestions are also welcome. Thanks in advance! Jakes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Odinson Posted February 12, 2019 Share Hmm. I'd caution against overcapitalizing on such an old bike. Maybe look into cheaper wide range 10spd options. SRAM 11spd will also put you out of pocket for a new XD driver or hub, unless you go for the NX range. Mabe look into the Shimano Deore M6000 rear mech, shifter, chain and 11-42 casette. That way you can perhaps use your existing crank (incl. a NW chainring). shaper, Puncture Kid, svacha and 4 others 7 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChrisF Posted February 12, 2019 Share Take the bike to Louise at Knipe-Racing, in Durbanville. He will have a look to see what can fit and what cant ... and what would need replacing .... Maybe the front crank can be salvaged and he can just fit a new blade in the front ... With any luck your hub can accommodate the 11 speed ... apparently the 12 speed NX could also fit .... If the shifters gets replaced ... the brakes gets replaced .... Best to sit down before he price this lot .... Might not be too far short of a new bike ..... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BaGearA Posted February 12, 2019 Share Hi everyone! New here. 24, Bellville/Langebaan WC, 1.96m, back on the bike after 7 years of not riding. I have a 2008 Merida Matts TFS 700 XC 26er with Deore on the front, XT on the back, and those stupid Deore brake lever / shifter hybrids. I have also realised that even though I want to, I can't buy a new bike. Now – Would it be wise/possible to upgrade to a Shimano or Sram 1x11 system? Any input on other upgrade suggestions are also welcome. Thanks in advance! Jakes. Nx 1x11 Sram really not worth putting anything more updated on the bike DieselnDust 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Goodbadugly Posted February 12, 2019 Share Short answer:No MDJ 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MORNE Posted February 12, 2019 Share i ride a 26 still as well, although its a pretty current one. i'm rolling 1x10 with a 34T narrow wide ring up front and 11-36 XT in the rear. i can honestly say if you need more granny than 36T on a 26"bike, you need to HTFU but really...save your cash and either convert yours to a 1x9 or get a 10 speed 11-36 XT (R900 ish) cassette and a cheap 10 speed rear shifter/mech. Forget this 11-46 NX nonsense on a 26". You can get proper 11-46+ when you upgrade to a new 29" bike later imo....just get riding again. 11-36 is plenty. If you feel it might be to rough go down to 32T up front....if you go 1x9 even and keep your current cassette and get a new 9sp shifter - even cheaper. i used to ride that no problem with a 32T ring in the front too. ajnkzn 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wildwindfr Posted February 12, 2019 Share I currently run 1x10 wide range 11x42 cassette with 34 oval ring.This should give you good range and is about the cheapest option. You can then save for a new bike. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dicky DQ Posted February 12, 2019 Share SRAM YES XTR NO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! https://community.bikehub.co.za/topic/180847-shimano-xtr-please-help/page-4?do=findComment&comment=3457989 Edited February 12, 2019 by TDFN gemmerbal 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NC_lurker Posted February 12, 2019 Share If your current drive chain still has life in it, then ride it as is and save towards a new bike. No point spending money on something that doesn't need replacing given the age/spec of the bike. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dexter-morgan Posted February 12, 2019 Share Check out bikeaddict, they had a SLX upgrade kit for R1850 a while back Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
madbradd Posted February 12, 2019 Share You'd need as a minimum: 1x11 upgrade kit (SLX probably cheapest)Brakes (second hand deore probably best bet)Chainring (Rapide/Lyne), just check crank compatibility. So You're probably in for about R4k minimum. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SwissVan Posted February 12, 2019 Share Hi everyone! New here. 24, Bellville/Langebaan WC, 1.96m, back on the bike after 7 years of not riding. I have a 2008 Merida Matts TFS 700 XC 26er with Deore on the front, XT on the back, and those stupid Deore brake lever / shifter hybrids. I have also realised that even though I want to, I can't buy a new bike. Now – Would it be wise/possible to upgrade to a Shimano or Sram 1x11 system? Any input on other upgrade suggestions are also welcome. Thanks in advance! Jakes. "those stupid Deore brake lever / shifter hybrids" Do you mean the STI like brake lever shifters? They were way ahead of their time imo, I've got some xtr ones on an old s-works, loved them because they help create an uncluttered handlebar effect with no gear levers cluttering up the grips... In todays trend of simplifying everything i would have though mtb sti type shifters would be popular...maybe in a few years they will be the next best thing... Anyway, about the 1x I would stick with the 3x that you most likely have, they are not difficult to use and will provide better gearing options overall than 1 x Good luck Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CAAD4 Posted February 12, 2019 Share i ride a 26 still as well, although its a pretty current one. i'm rolling 1x10 with a 34T narrow wide ring up front and 11-36 XT in the rear. i can honestly say if you need more granny than 36T on a 26"bike, you need to HTFU but really...save your cash and either convert yours to a 1x9 or get a 10 speed 11-36 XT (R900 ish) cassette and a cheap 10 speed rear shifter/mech. Forget this 11-46 NX nonsense on a 26". You can get proper 11-46+ when you upgrade to a new 29" bike later imo....just get riding again. 11-36 is plenty. If you feel it might be to rough go down to 32T up front....if you go 1x9 even and keep your current cassette and get a new 9sp shifter - even cheaper. i used to ride that no problem with a 32T ring in the front too.I'm sorry to be that guy, but no 26er can be a current one... OP ride your bike as the man says and see if you really do get back into it after such a long layoff, as maybe you don't and then you have not spent unnecessary ZAR. Marcv and Odinson 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Forthelove Posted February 12, 2019 Share Please ride a 1x11 before you do anything. There may be very little difference. I have a 2x11 and tried a 1x11 on some realy rough stuff and hated the 1x11. Had to hop of on parts I would usually ride quintonb 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
keithbe Posted February 13, 2019 Share Get into the routine of regular riding before spending on kit. When you do 1 x 12 may be a better option than x 11. The extra cog makes a massive difference. Happy riding!!! BigDL and Forthelove 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Slowbee Posted February 13, 2019 Share But why ? Why do you want to upgrade ? Why do you need to upgrade ? All you doing is spending more money for fewer gears. Save the money and ride in the big chain ring or small chain ring of your choosing. eddy, Goodbadugly and ChrisL 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now