Wrong bike?

Johnmcl7

dunroving wrote: »

I have a classic Litespeed mountain bike, over 20 years old, 26 inch tyres (you rarely see 26 inch tyres these days, it's all "plus" size - 27.5 inches, 29 inches). I recently paid £600 to my LBS to replace my 20-year-old original 3 x 7 set-up with a 2 x 11 set-up. New gears front and back, new crankset, new bottom bracket, new chain, new derailleur. This bike is my baby, I love it. £600 well-spent, and has completely changed the feel and operation of the bike. I only spent this much because I knew exactly what I needed and the bike just feels right so I didn't want to sell it and buy a new one.

Plus size refers to the width of the tyre, not the rim size - standard 27.5's and 29's are not plus size while 26, 27.5 and 29 rims are all available as plus (2.8 width to 3.2 usually) and both 26 and 27.5 are available as fat (3.8 and above).

It's a fair point about checking derailleur compatibility but no point in going that far until we've found what cassette is currently fitted, it may be a fairly wide range one already which would mean there's not a decent upgrade option there. If it is a narrower one, then they OP can supply more details on their drivetrain. The upgraded cassettes will usually fit though as that's what they're designed for and there's not the multiple standards there are for 11 speed.

John

andygb

I would say - troll alert for the OP.
It is blindingly obvious that there is a big difference between top and bottom gears, even on a mountain bike.