No, this isn't a photo of the latest drivetrain system on display at the Interbike International Bike Show. It's simply a picture of some badly needed new components for my worn out LeMond Tourmalet.
A slipping chain and a near-ballbusting experience — in addition to a tell-tale grinding from the bottom bracket — convinced me it was time to make the replacements after my bike tour of the Olympic Peninsula last month.
Instead of selling me the entire drivetrain, the bike shop installed three new Shimano Ultegra chainrings and cassette, a bottom bracket, and SRAM chain. The old Shimano Tiagra cranks and front and rear derailleurs worked fine with the new components.
Why did I wait so long? Cheap, I guess.
I stopped on the way home for a test ride. There's an immediate response when I shift, and of course no slipping when I accelerate. Although I'm no slave to fashion, I like the shiny anodized aluminum over the dark Tiagra components.
And it's so quiet, no clickety-clack from the bottom bracket.
The guy at the bike shop said I should get as many miles — if not more — out of the new components as I did the old ones. So I guess my $300 investment means I can put off thoughts of a new bike for a few more years.
Then, when I finally get the new bike, I'll ask: “Why did I wait so long?”
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