Project Elance Rides!
Posted: November 19, 2009 at 8:38 am
Ryan’s 87 Trek Elance 330 now rides! After purchase, the bike was reduced down to nothing but a frame and almost all components were replaced. There were a couple things we ran into afterwards.
First, the bottom bracket is too wide. It is the Shimano 105 BB designed for a triple chainring. While the Trek runs a double, the 118mm bracket was the closest match to the original 116mm bracket. Even so, the chainrings are out too far and the chain is left at a sharp angle. It’s certainly ridable, but the chain will lead a short life in its current condition. A 109mm bottom bracket is on its way which should fix things.
Second, the rear dérailleur has not nearly enough spring which is leaving the bottom of the spring with far too much slack. This is something we would have realized had either of us been more familiar with bike repair. This is the first time either of us have changed a dérailleur, so we didn’t know this until the chain was on and we noticed something wasn’t right.
Even with those minor hiccups, it seems to ride very well and Ryan is pleased with it. For a first project, I don’t think it went too badly!
