|   GT i-drive front deraileur questions | Rob Scott
Jan 19, 2004 10:48 AM | | I just got a 2002 GT i-drive 3.0 that I would like to upgrade some parts. I am planning to upgrade it to a mix of XTR and XT components. Question 1. What kind of XTR front deraileur do I need? I am pretty sure it is bottom pull (cable comes from the bottom). But is it a bottom or top swing? I could be wrong. Question 2. Which rear deraileur should I get? The wide range or the regular? Also, does the rapaid rise one make that much of a differance? |
| bottom swing, bottom pull, 1-1/4" | Danny
Jan 19, 2004 7:29 PM | | To be quite honest, you won't see any effect in the upgraded front derailleur save a couple grams of weight. The rear will lose more weight but, unless your current one is very worn, you won't likely notice a performance difference there either.
Unless you've gone after them before, I'd look at other areas for bigger improvement. The handlebars, stem, seatpost and seat are all pretty heavy on i-drives. You can shave a pound off easy there...maybe almost 2 pounds. The seatpost is atrocious to begin with, mine would slip over the rough stuff no matter how tight I clamped it down.
Fork designs, have improved considerably since the one GT spec'd. A nice Marz, Fox or SID will give you a plusher ride, while being stiffer to boot.
If you are still using rim brakes you may have noticed the back brake feels rather spongy. That is because the flexy swingarm. Drop a brake booster over them and they firm up nicely. |
| Thanks Danny... | Rob Scott
Jan 20, 2004 8:36 AM | | Been findng so much conflicting info. Danny, you have answered alot of my I-Drive questions before. Thanks. It appears you have one also. Do you have any pics or more info, could you please email it to me at: rscott46@nc.rr.com. Thanks. I just got mine off EBay. Here is the info the guy gave me off EBay, "27 speed, Avid f/r mechanical disc brakes, Avid speed dial 7 levers, Answer Pro Taper handlebars, Fox Float rear shock, Rock Shock Judy SL Air Fork with 100 mm of travel, Syncros Big Box rims, Tioga Tires, Deore LX front and rear derailluer's, SDG saddle, Topeak saddle bag Shimano PD-M324 ATB Pedal." Here is a picture of it. What kind of components are you running? |
| Your specs vs. mine | Danny
Jan 20, 2004 3:50 PM | | You're welcome, Rob,
By no means am I an expert but I have got some serious saddle time on my i-drive.
Your specs vs. mine:
Yours: Avid f/r mechanical disc brakes, Avid speed dial 7 levers,
Mine: ditto, I've upgraded the frt to Avid mechanical and added a booster to the rear.
Yours: Answer Pro Taper handlebars,
Mine: Syncros bar...soon to be replaced (comfortable bar but weight opportunity.)
Yours: Fox Float rear shock,
Mine: ditto
Yours: Rock Shock Judy SL Air Fork with 100 mm of travel,
Mine: Manitou SX-R, elastomer and coil. Not as plush as the Judy SL but considerably more reliable reputation. Based on my great experience with the SX-R I have a Black Elite as an upgrade. I'm hoping the longer travel elite (100 vs. 80) will make it better going down but with the TPC, not suffer going up.
Yours: Syncros Big Box rims, Tioga Tires,
Mine: ditto, GT disc hubs (at least one review said these are iffy for disc braking.)
Yours: Deore LX front and rear derailluer's,
Mine: Ditto
Yours: SDG saddle,
Mine: WTB Laser (SDB it came with was heavy and uncomfortable.)
Yours: Topeak saddle bag
Mine: Sometimes carry a Nashbar bag
Yours: Shimano PD-M324 ATB Pedal.
Mine: Came with Ritchey (I think.) Upgraded to Shimano. Now using Sun-Ringle Platform...soon to be Wellgo MG-1 magnesium platform. |
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