How to improve staff bikes

[Robyn Eshelby-Theart]

My guys have got a few bikes. 1 x Raleigh, 1 x Gotcha and 1 x Totem XC330. All budget MTB (Makro bikes). My guys all live-in and mostly use the bikes to go to Spar - a 10km round-trip.   

 

The bikes hold up pretty well in general but there's no way the wheels are running true. They get quite a lot of punctures which I'm sure isn't aided by wonky wheels. 

 

I believe that over-inflation on the cheap wheels buckles/warps them. 

 

Am I right in assuming that wheel upgrades will make the bikes safer?

 

If so, what is a good wheel for the bikes? They are all 29" bikes.

 

And then I could match the wheels with decent tyres and my guys could be safer.  

 

I'm afraid that buying new bikes is not an option. 

[Mountain Goat]

Are they all running disc brakes, are the hubs QR or TA? 

Tyres will be a good start, upgrading three wheelsets even with entry level options will start adding up. Maxxis Crossmarks are known to hold up well, so perhaps they will make a good choice for a 29" commuter. 

Lights are a great upgrade to the overall safety especially when commuting at dawn and dusk.

Edited August 12, 2022 by Mountain Goat

[MORNE]

get the wheels tensioned and straightened properly imo. Alot of the times on bikes like those its just loose or a broken spoke or 3.

New wheels and ill say you could probably just buy new bikes all round. not worth it. aftermarket wheels are costly. 

Dont get any of these MTB tubless tyres. You get plenty of commuter tyres that are almost puncture proof thats how thing their threads are. They will be wire bead probably but thats fine. 

or consider solid tube inserts. 

[madmarc]

I once sorted a guys bike - But i will admit it was pretty shot. I took the wheels to a proper wheel builder and had them straightened and tightened up, there actually nothing wrong with the quality for the intended purpose, problem is they are loose when you buy them.

New Chinese tires and tubes

Re-cabled and sorted the brakes - He had none was using his foot against the rear tire.

Reset the gears - new cheepy chain - rebuilt the BB with new bearings from the Chinese bike shop

New helmet, reflective vest red taillight and a pump

saddle bag with puncture repair & spare tube with a small bottle of lube.

You should have seen the smile when he collected the bike - He was doing 30km round trip to work each day. He was saving 55 ronds / day on taxi fair that's nearly 1500 ronds a month  which is huge money for a gardener  

 

Edited August 12, 2022 by madmarc

[Robyn Eshelby-Theart]

Thanks very much guys - super helpful!

 

I'll have a look at everything properly and then come back with the deets. 

[FirstV8]

I did the same  for my gardener by upgrading his Super market special . i trued and tightened up both wheels when he got the bike . Reset the brakes (Rim type ) and gears . They normally have a 3 X upfront which i then set so only the big and 2nd ring were available ( Gauteng no hills ) When the tires were shot i got a pair road commuter tires  (Slick ) and tubes with removable valve cores and put Enduro slime in . He has had punctures but they seal and he is able to ride on home or to work . Chain and cluster finally gave in and we did cheapish chain and cluster (7 speed ) upgrade . He commutes 25 km daily which he has done for 4 years plus with a R1500 supermarket special and about R1000 worth of upgrade and maintenance that equates to about R50 transport per month as apposed R50 taxi fare daily (R1000 monthly )