I currently am in an confusing position of having the drivetrain parts on my very boring utilitarian Kona dew wear out.
It is the chain and the middle chainring which are both beyond worn out. I can no longer pedal the bike without chain slipping.
The cassette is probably okay as I remember actually changing it in relatively recent history.
It is a 52 42 30 triple. 9 speed. Horrible fsa Vero cranks. Bottom bracket never been replaced in 15 years ish of owning the bike.
I am struggling to find a 42t middle chainring for sale anywhere that isn't outrageously priced. Ideally I find one for £15 which added to cost of new chain and that there is a chance I'll still need new cassette. Is still kindve a lot. The cheapest one I've found is £23 on eBay. +£15ish for a chain.
Makes me feel like getting a whole new chain set with BB. Maybe something with ext BB. But I see that all the Shimano Sora, tiagra etc ones are typically 50 39 XX which would mess up my gearing.
And if I did spend around £60 on a decent condition chainset, with the cost of the chain. And other bits I need for the bike (a front mudguard at least) I'm looking at £100 which I could put towards a shiny new bike instead.
I do actually have the money for a new bike. But this (now) old bike I got in a time where I had no money and no space to even store bike indoors. I can't decide whether it's time to ditch this trusty old utilitarian bike which was never my favourite. Or get a fancy new bike that belongs in the 2020's and maintain it well from now on.
It is the chain and the middle chainring which are both beyond worn out. I can no longer pedal the bike without chain slipping.
The cassette is probably okay as I remember actually changing it in relatively recent history.
It is a 52 42 30 triple. 9 speed. Horrible fsa Vero cranks. Bottom bracket never been replaced in 15 years ish of owning the bike.
I am struggling to find a 42t middle chainring for sale anywhere that isn't outrageously priced. Ideally I find one for £15 which added to cost of new chain and that there is a chance I'll still need new cassette. Is still kindve a lot. The cheapest one I've found is £23 on eBay. +£15ish for a chain.
Makes me feel like getting a whole new chain set with BB. Maybe something with ext BB. But I see that all the Shimano Sora, tiagra etc ones are typically 50 39 XX which would mess up my gearing.
And if I did spend around £60 on a decent condition chainset, with the cost of the chain. And other bits I need for the bike (a front mudguard at least) I'm looking at £100 which I could put towards a shiny new bike instead.
I do actually have the money for a new bike. But this (now) old bike I got in a time where I had no money and no space to even store bike indoors. I can't decide whether it's time to ditch this trusty old utilitarian bike which was never my favourite. Or get a fancy new bike that belongs in the 2020's and maintain it well from now on.