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Parts help: chain link, front gears, front derailuer, more

1214 Views 6 Replies 3 Participants Last post by shiggy, Dec 17, 2005

serval

Discussion Starter · Dec 14, 2005

Short Version: Klein Pulse Comp with 7 gear rear casset looking to move up to 8 or 9 speed rear cassette because need to replace old worn parts (including the rear cassette, front cassette, chain, cables, front derailuer). Which parts should I get to make the change? Aim under $150 for all parts to make the change/update/replacement?

Longer Version: So I have a worn Klein Pulse Comp (1996) and I think I need to replace some of the parts, some have already been replaced. I'm looking for recommendations of which parts to buy (and where if you like) to replace the following worn parts:

(1) The middle gear of the front cassette is sheared, by four of the gears the metal is torn between some of the gears. The top of some teeth are missing. The tops of some of the largest front gear teeth are also missing/knocked off.

(2) The chain is an SRAM (I think) with a Power Link ... but the power link was improperly removed by a friend (punched out with a chain tool rather than removed w/o tools as it should be) and is prone to coming undone (usually when late for something important).

(3) The front derailuer is, well, funky ... it barely reached the largest gear and not because it's limited by the adjustment screw. It's physically hard to get it to shift up to the largest gear. After disassembaling and cleaning it's just barely okay to keep doing its job.

(4) The rear cassette is a 7 gear version, not this new 8/9 speed stuff that has become the norm I suppose. I'm not sure my chain (SRAM with a power link) is compatible with this rear cassette, any ideas? Has worked okay for about 300 miles.

(5) My cables are dirty, loose at the ends, and the encasements around them, while doing okay, are probably also quite dirty inside.

So I want to replace these parts but I'm not sure what else I'll need ... if I change to the new 8/9 speed rear cassette, what will I need and which specific models/parts should I buy (new shifters at least, right?)?

I'm looking to do all this for under $150 if possible, so budget is a concern if you have recommendations.

I understand cambriabike.com is having a sale (20% off) so if you see anything there that looks like a deal please let me know.

Thanks a million for getting a fat guy on his bike again!

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shiggy

· #2 · Dec 14, 2005

serval said:
Short Version: Klein Pulse Comp with 7 gear rear casset looking to move up to 8 or 9 speed rear cassette because need to replace old worn parts (including the rear cassette, front cassette, chain, cables, front derailuer). Which parts should I get to make the change? Aim under $150 for all parts to make the change/update/replacement?

Short version: You probably can not fix it/convert to 8/9-speed for less than $150 even if you do not need to replace the chainrings.

Longer Version: So I have a worn Klein Pulse Comp (1996) and I think I need to replace some of the parts, some have already been replaced. I'm looking for recommendations of which parts to buy (and where if you like) to replace the following worn parts:

(1) The middle gear of the front cassette is sheared, by four of the gears the metal is torn between some of the gears. The top of some teeth are missing. The tops of some of the largest front gear teeth are also missing/knocked off.

Chainrings, not a cassette. The "torn" or worn looking teeth are probably normal. They are contoured to shift easier. Does not mean your rings are not worn out and in need of replacing.

If you convert to 8/9-speed you have to replace the rings and maybe the cranks, too.

(2) The chain is an SRAM (I think) with a Power Link ... but the power link was improperly removed by a friend (punched out with a chain tool rather than removed w/o tools as it should be) and is prone to coming undone (usually when late for something important).

No worries. the chain should be replaced often anyway.

(3) The front derailed is, well, funky ... it barely reached the largest gear and not because it's limited by the adjustment screw. It's physically hard to get it to shift up to the largest gear. After disassembaling and cleaning it's just barely okay to keep doing its job.

New cables and housing may fix it.

(4) The rear cassette is a 7 gear version, not this new 8/9 speed stuff that has become the norm I suppose. I'm not sure my chain (SRAM with a power link) is compatible with this rear cassette, any ideas? Has worked okay for about 300 miles.

See #2

(5) My cables are dirty, loose at the ends, and the encasements around them, while doing okay, are probably also quite dirty inside.

Replace the housings and cables.

So I want to replace these parts but I'm not sure what else I'll need ... if I change to the new 8/9 speed rear cassette, what will I need and which specific models/parts should I buy (new shifters at least, right?)?

To convert to 8/9-speed will you need to replace at least:

rear hub
cassette
rear derailleur
shifters
middle and large chainring
cables and housing
chain

Might have to replace:

crankset
front derailleur
bottom bracket

I'm looking to do all this for under $150 if possible, so budget is a concern if you have recommendations.

Not likely.

Keep it as a 7-speed and you can fix it on budget.

New cassette, chain (not an 8/9-speed), cables and housing, maybe one or two chainrings and you should be good to go. You do not need 8 or 9-speed.

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Call_me_Clyde

· #3 · Dec 14, 2005

As Shiggy says, keep it 7 speed

There are still some vendors who can supply you with 7 speed replacement parts. Rather than upgrade to 8 or 9 speed, just replace what's worn and save for a new bike. Jones Bikes in Long Beach CA has a great selection of "New Old Stock" items and they might be able to supply you with the drive train components you need to give the bike a second life. They do a lot of selling on eBay, too. Just look them up under jonesbikes on ebay.

Best Wishes,

Bob

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serval

Discussion Starter · #4 · Dec 14, 2005

Thanks for the detailed and fast replies. I guess 8/9 speed it out, no biggie.
But I still have a question:

(1) The middle gear doesn't seem right to me still. I understand that there are sections that will not be uniform including shorter gear teeth and indentations along the side of the gear, however mine looks "torn" ... non-uniform in the symetry/positioning of the variations AND the indentations are not just indentations, the metal is separated from the metal next to it about 8mm down from the lowest point between several teeth. The GF has the camera at work today, so here's an altered piucture of a gear (image taken from Cambria bikes site) ... the red lines are the size and shape of my "torn" sections:

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shiggy

· #5 · Dec 14, 2005

The ring pic you posted is a straight cut, unramped ring. Usually used only on single ring (no front shifting) setups these days.

Shimano and most other companies use all sorts of ramps, pins, grooves and tooth profiles to "improve" shifting performance. I call them "pre-worn."

The ring below is a typical Shimano middle ring. It is worn (some of the teeth are pointy or "shark finned") but the short teeth, ramps, and notches are normal from new. Pretty much every tooth has some sort of special contouring.

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serval

Discussion Starter · #6 · Dec 17, 2005

Sorry I couldn't describe the problem without pictures, maybe these will help:

The gear is actually torn a bit, see the red arrows?

This needs to be replaced, right?
If so, where do I find a 7-speed chainring for not too much $$$?

Thanks!

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shiggy

· #7 · Dec 17, 2005

serval said:
Sorry I couldn't describe the problem without pictures, maybe these will help:

The gear is actually torn a bit, see the red arrows?

This needs to be replaced, right?
If so, where do I find a 7-speed chainring for not too much $$$?

Thanks!

The arrow are pointing to "design features." They are suppose to be there. Other parts of the rings show some wear.

The bad news is the rings on your crankset are not replaceable. They are riveted on rather than bolted.

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Parts help: chain link, front gears, front derailuer, more

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