Help me spec my build… Please!

[TSP]

I’ve just turned 40 and I thought I should carry on with the Mongoose project I started… 20 odd years ago.

The trouble is, certain details have disappeared from my mostly mullered memory.

I spend my evenings on eBay, looking for bits. I’ve found the obvious bits now. Raceface cranks, Azonic bars & stem, DX v-brakes, carbon fibre Shimano boosters (pointless I know!) DMR forks, some 521 rims I’ve had 25 years, FSA Pig… The frame is a Mongoose NX. I had one when I was about 15 when Brian Lopes rode one and regretted getting rid of it so I bought another one about 12 years ago.

The problem I’m having is groupset. The rest of the build doesn’t justify XTR etc. The wheels have currently got Deore hubs and I’ve got a Deore rear mech and shifter. They just look a bit pants! I want something just a bit better. What hubs, shifter, chainring (I only want 1x) and rear mech etc should I look for?!

I won’t be jumping down stairs and off benches this time around. Just chasing my kids around the park but I’d like to actually ride the thing before I’m 50.

Thanks RBers

 

[bikeworkshop]

If you want 1x (to work) you might need to get a thick/thin ring and clutch rear derailleur, so that's going to be a modern setup.
Alternatively you can hold the chain on with a chain device thingy?

With a vintage bike its often best to put the period parts on there though. Mixing it up often doesn't work right, but if deore isn't good looking enough, how about stx or lx? It's still a lot cheaper than xt

 

[ishaw]

This is right up my street as I prefer retro mod to period. If you want to run 1x, first up, 10 or 11? You should be able to fit 10 or 11 on existing wheels, depending on era of deore hubs. You could go 1x9 too, though the cassettes could be limiting as 1x tends to use a bigger range cassette. I don't think you'll find a clutch mech for 9sp so you'll need a chain retainer up front.

I've done many builds using 1x10 or 11. Slx, xt and xtr, saint too. I've a few mechs, shifters and cassettes in my stash if you are after anything.

The simplest route would probably be 1x10. You'll need shifter, rear clutch mech, chain, cassette and a narrow wide, thick thin, megstooth or whatever the brand calls their rings with a tooth profile for 1x.

Modernish deore looks decent imo and works well as I had this setup on my son's bike until he outgrew it. I've still got the bits as I built a new build for him using xt. If you are interested in any parts I may be able to help.

 

[bikeworkshop]

Shimano have introduced a couple of 1x9 groupsets, altus, and then Cues, which offers a dinner plate cassette if you want to keep gear range

 

[90's Ninja]

I have run a 1x using a Surly chainring. They are tough stainless steel rings without narrow-wide teeth which will be fine if you just want to cruise around in. I mated it to an XT M737 rear derailleur and 8 speed cassette and never had a chain drop even with some light off road riding

 

[bikeworkshop]

For some riders they need little extra to run 1x on older bikes, for others it's a complete PitA.

Terrain, riding style and finesse, chainline, derailleur spring tension and cage length all seem to play a part .

 

[TSP]

Thank you for the replies everyone. I really had no idea it was such a minefield!

Back in the day we used to just take the outer and inner chainrings off our £25 FSA chainsets and ride it like that! For a while it was granny ring only - We all wanted to be in Tricks and Stunts!

I have a choice to make then, period with a front mech, period with a single chainring at the front that might not work or a modern group set. I know even less about modern stuff than I can remember about period stuff!

I sort of consider single speed but it just looks a bit messy I think. Not quite right. Plus I’ve got a DCD I’d really like to use!

First things first, I need to find some nice 32H hubs!

 

[M124]

If you want to go with 1x9 over modern gears something like a roox chaindog would do the job at the front and is suitably retro.
For gears xt m750 or m770 is relatively cheap and freely available second hand (with chains and cassettes still available new)
Hubs, I'm a big fan of hope, nice looking, easy to maintain and plenty of spares available in the uk

 

[TSP]

Thanks mate… I better get looking!

I’m really not too worried about the spread of gears, I used to run a 32T front with a DMR bash guard and 8 at the back. I never remember running out of gears. I guess I was just lucky with it not skipping! That or my memory tricks me…

 

[minor_LEGEND]

Show us a pic of the frame.