Gravel/Road Bike/Commuter

[brian_H]

Hi folks

I have just acquired a part built SCOTT road bike from a friend. It was being built up by her brother but he unfortunately passed away before he could get anywhere near finishing.

I intend to convert it into a straight handle bar commuter/road bike. I did fancy gravel tyres but I don't think I have enough clearance between the rear wheel and the seat post near the front derailleur.

It has a 2 speed front chain ring and an 8 speed rear cartridge. I need to buy the following items at least...and I am sure there will be more. Does anyone have any recommendations for reasonable quality but not too pricey parts. I don't fancy ebay cr@p if I am honest.

Handlebars
Grips
Brake Levers
Thumb shifters
Front derailleur
Rear Derailleur

I also need a chain. How do I know what spec of chain to buy?

Thanks folks

Cheers

Brian

[MarcelM6]

Would need a few more details about which Scott, but a few pointers:

Assume rim brakes, not discs?
You will struggle a bit with a 8 speed bike - think that standard went out of vogue over 10 years ago.

Added: make sure the deraiileurs and shifters are compatible - as far as I remember some SRAM works with Shimano but not all.

Try merlincycles - usually have good deals on. Also wiggle, tredz and sigmasports. Could also try and go to your local bike shop and see if they have any old stock lying around that you could buy for pennies.

But with a older sounding frame I would bite the bullet and do ebay for everything other than the drivetrain.

Edited by MarcelM6 on Tuesday 2nd May 17:16

[irc]

Watch the brake levers. MTB brake levers are the wrong cable pull for road rim brakes.

Tty these.

https://www.sjscycles.co.uk/brake-levers/tektro-fl...

[lufbramatt]

To save faffing with finding the right combination of levers/brakes/shifters that all work together I’d just get some wide drop handlebars with a bit of a flare and keep it as a drop bar bike.

Planet X often have cheap handlebars that might fit the bill.

[dontlookdown]

lufbramatt said:

To save faffing with finding the right combination of levers/brakes/shifters that all work together I’d just get some wide drop handlebars with a bit of a flare and keep it as a drop bar bike.

Planet X often have cheap handlebars that might fit the bill.

This is a good shout.There are lots of wide and not very dropped gravel bars to choose from these days.

It's very easy to get a dose of upgraditis on projects like this - one new thing leads to another and before you know it you've spent more than the bike is worth on a complete group set;)

Re the chain, if you're sticking with your 8 speed set up, KMC and Shimano ones are readily available online, only cost about 15-20 quid each and last longer than 11/12 speed too! I have 8 speed on one of my old bikes. Zero bragging rights but it's robust, reliable and the indexing is easy to dial in.

ETA actually 8 sp chains are only about a tenner. I was thinking of cassettes for some reason...

Edited by dontlookdown on Wednesday 3rd May 06:25

[irc]

There is still 8 speed stuff around.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/SHIMANO-Cycling-RDM310DL-...

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Lever-Shimano-Altus-SLM31...

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Shimano-HG50-Speed-Casset...

If you want an 8 speed flat bar bike it will be relatively cheap.

[brian_H]

Thanks everyone....appreciate the advice. I am going to get it riding this weekend then plan a way forward.....sounds like it may well be a trip to my local bike shop.

Cheers