I've been thinking about this all day long...
So I have a '93 Giant Nutra hybrid bike, cro-mo main triangle, big frame that I was fitted to 13 years ago, cantilever brakes, rapid fire shifters controlling a triple up front and 7-speed rear cassette, all low-end Shimano. Chain stay's a good 17-18 inches, plenty o' eyelets for rack, etc (in fact, test fit a rear rack and fenders w/o issue). Flat bars, a couple inches below my seat. Bicycle was $300 stock.
I want to use this short term for just group rides, now dusted off, and long term as my do-anything bike that is good for commuting should I live in such an environment, light dirt road usage and most importantly, touring - combing cycling with my love of travel. I figure I'll probably buy a dedicated road bike in a year or two, and it'll cost a lot more than any planned upgrades for this old boy and I'll use it for faster group rides, centuries, etc.
I've found two ways to go with upgrades, learning the mechanics and doing it myself:
$100: Install drop bars, get friction shifters on the downtube, and of course non-shifting brake levers for the bars.
$300: Install drop bars, replace the entire drivetrain with the good stuff -- go to Shimano 105 derailleurs, rear cassette, bottom bracket, shifters/brake levers, with Nashbar Trekking crank and rings for lower gearing and price than the 105's. If I'm going to replace the drivetrain, I'm not going with super-cheap parts.
These are both less expensive than running out and buying a touring bike, and both figures are fairly conservative new product costs. I'll probably scour eBay for the more expensive stuff but don't know exactly how much I'll save. The other option is to leave it alone, do as well as I can in flat but windy Dallas with flat bars, not learn how to disassemble and reassemble my bike (but that's hard because I've given up making autos faster ($$) and yearn for the wrench again, plus love making things better and upgrading the underdog!)
I don't have experience on a true road bike and have never ridden past 60 miles or so on a single ride, and never in a group -- I want to get active in cycling this year and need it to motivate quitting smoking. I do have plenty of experience on the bike on the road and really like it, partially because it fits pretty well and I'm used to it, partially for sentimental reasons (old friend and what not). Which biases me and shows my inexperience with even drop bars in the first place.
So guys and gals with some experience under your belts, what do y'all recommend?
So I have a '93 Giant Nutra hybrid bike, cro-mo main triangle, big frame that I was fitted to 13 years ago, cantilever brakes, rapid fire shifters controlling a triple up front and 7-speed rear cassette, all low-end Shimano. Chain stay's a good 17-18 inches, plenty o' eyelets for rack, etc (in fact, test fit a rear rack and fenders w/o issue). Flat bars, a couple inches below my seat. Bicycle was $300 stock.
I want to use this short term for just group rides, now dusted off, and long term as my do-anything bike that is good for commuting should I live in such an environment, light dirt road usage and most importantly, touring - combing cycling with my love of travel. I figure I'll probably buy a dedicated road bike in a year or two, and it'll cost a lot more than any planned upgrades for this old boy and I'll use it for faster group rides, centuries, etc.
I've found two ways to go with upgrades, learning the mechanics and doing it myself:
$100: Install drop bars, get friction shifters on the downtube, and of course non-shifting brake levers for the bars.
$300: Install drop bars, replace the entire drivetrain with the good stuff -- go to Shimano 105 derailleurs, rear cassette, bottom bracket, shifters/brake levers, with Nashbar Trekking crank and rings for lower gearing and price than the 105's. If I'm going to replace the drivetrain, I'm not going with super-cheap parts.
These are both less expensive than running out and buying a touring bike, and both figures are fairly conservative new product costs. I'll probably scour eBay for the more expensive stuff but don't know exactly how much I'll save. The other option is to leave it alone, do as well as I can in flat but windy Dallas with flat bars, not learn how to disassemble and reassemble my bike (but that's hard because I've given up making autos faster ($$) and yearn for the wrench again, plus love making things better and upgrading the underdog!)
I don't have experience on a true road bike and have never ridden past 60 miles or so on a single ride, and never in a group -- I want to get active in cycling this year and need it to motivate quitting smoking. I do have plenty of experience on the bike on the road and really like it, partially because it fits pretty well and I'm used to it, partially for sentimental reasons (old friend and what not). Which biases me and shows my inexperience with even drop bars in the first place.
So guys and gals with some experience under your belts, what do y'all recommend?