Commuter Bike Upgrade



This is my trusty bike that I have been commuting on all summer: A 2000 Gary Fisher Big Sur with mostly all parts stock. This is the bike that got me into mountain biking, and over the years, I switched out the front fork from a Manitou SX to a slightly beefier Marzocchi X-Fly, went from a flat bar to a riser, and gone through several saddles. This bike has seen me through Corte Madera, Downieville, the Wasatch, and Moab, all on the SAME drive train and peddles! But this summer, it has been turned into a full time commuter and as such, I have been shopping for parts that will turn it into an all-weather, 4 season commuting machine.

The parts I bought:
Surly 1x1 Fork: This cromoly fork is sturdy yet wide enough to accommodate fat tires--important for those slushy winter days.
RaceFace Evolve XC Crankset and BB: Finally some new cranks. Same length (175mm) and toothset (44/32/22), but lighter, stiffer, and full teeth!
Sram 9 speed chain
Sram cassette
Shimano M520 pedals: The stock Bontrager RE-1 pedals, though heavy and a bit sticky, ran me 2k+ miles. What a piece of engineering! These do not get the respect they deserve!
WTB Rocket V saddle: wow, is this saddle comfortable!
Rear Rack and trunk bag.
Kenda Kwest 1.5 tires with puncture resistant kevlar shield (not shown).
Planet bike Freddy Fenders (not shown).

I acquired these parts through Ebay, online stores, and through industry connections. Most were new, some were gently used. All told, it cost me just under $350, but i now have a bike with a brand new drive train and a set up that should allow me many miles of urban commuting.

Susan's co-worker and friend B-rad helped me with getting the parts on. As you can see, he knows what he's doing. Here, he's cutting the fork down to my fit for the bike.
Check out his shirt too! Thanks B!


Installing the new drive train.


And the finished product. The trunk allows me to carry my stuff off my back and it is so much more comfortable to not have a sweaty back every morning! The rigid cromoly fork is really supple and absorbs the road really well, and it is very responsive. The drive train feels really smooth, and it is actually easier to peddle up hill now! Even though i have moved the weight of the stuff i carry from my back to the bike, and the bike now weighs a hefty 30lbs or so, fully loaded, it seems easier to peddle. I think that weight might not be that big of an issue when it comes to peddling short distances, and more important might be the efficiency of all the moving parts.


Posted: Sat - September 1, 2007 at 09:31 AM          

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