hey everyone, i just bought a Benotto off my friend but i have no idea about road bike becasue i ride mountain bikes ( downhill and cross country)..i bought the benotto for 100$ and it looks pretty old and scratched...as i do not noe much about raod bikes..can u guys guide me on wat to get to upgrade the bike? i m planning to get it reapainted( gloss black) and get a carbon fork (will EC90 fit on this bike?) then i might get STIs but i believe that i will have to change everything from my front derailleur to chainrings..basically my whole drivertrain (m i right?)

Can u guys help me on wat to get..not too expensive as i m using it as a training bike...but i would like it to look shmick!! also i would like to change the wheels as well..but that can wait!

the most important thing is carbon fork and STIs..pls give me some recommendations

heres a pic- if u see anything that shouldnt be on this bike..tell me!!

o and how come my stem points downwards and from pictures i have seen..how come u guys have the stem pointing upwards? and i went and had a look at the EC90 and it had 2 versions of them, the curved blade and the straight blade..wat is the difference and which one is better(maybe include a pic if u can so i can see wat the difference is) sorry for being a noob..but thanks for the help

cheers

KC

Straight up- Don't do anything to that bike. If that is the correct saddle height, chances are that bike is too big for you. Concentrate on riding on the road with that for awhile, and doing research on what you want exactly in a road bike.

Also try and work out the correct size frame for you because it is the most important thing when it comes to road bikes, unlike mountainbikes.

In regards to stems, you have something called a threaded stem, and they normally come horizontal. Nowadays most stems are like mountainbike stems and are threadless. They are reversible to either flip up or down depending on the rise.

In regards to those forks, the difference is very marginal between a straight blade and curved fork if the offset is the same. Something I think you don't have to worry about for now.

Again, get your size sorted before you decide on doing anything with your cash.

Given the overall mix on this bike, you will not get a revelation by adding a CF fork. And there is no fundamental difference between a straight blade and curved blade forks - it's all about looks, not function. As noted by another poster, this bike does not fit whoever is riding it now - it's much too large. If the picture shows the bike as set up for you, then you should just ride it while looking for one that fits.

It's hard to say what you would have to change to go with STI. However, it looks like the bike has a freewheel rather than cassette (Campy high flange hubs?), and if that's the case, then a new rear hub would be required. How many cogs in the back? If it is 7 or less, you will have to scrounge to find a 7 speed STI shifter. The rear spacing may also need to be changed, although that's not a big deal with your steel frame. And are those BioPace chainrings? I don't think STI would shift those very well - no shifting pins or tooth profiles.

The $100 you paid for the bike starts looking like nothing - it's like buying a car and then wanting to replace engine, transmission, suspension, and start chopping and channeling. That's fine if it's a classic hot rod, but not a good investment in a Ford Tempo. By the time you buy a fork, paint the frame, replace the rear wheel, drive train, and shifters, you will have $500 in the bike, easy. For that price, you can get a used racing bike that would be a serious step up from your upgraded Benotto. You'll be much better off to consider this bike a learning experience. Figure out your fit issues, learn about road riding, get your training done and if you like road riding, get a good used bike that fits. After all, if this bike is just for training, there's no performance issues that you could argue need to be addressed so that you can place better on the podium.

hey everyone, i just bought a Benotto off my friend but i have no idea about road bike becasue i ride mountain bikes ( downhill and cross country)..i bought the benotto for 100$ and it looks pretty old and scratched...as i do not noe much about raod bikes..can u guys guide me on wat to get to upgrade the bike? i m planning to get it reapainted( gloss black) and get a carbon fork (will EC90 fit on this bike?) then i might get STIs but i believe that i will have to change everything from my front derailleur to chainrings..basically my whole drivertrain (m i right?)

Can u guys help me on wat to get..not too expensive as i m using it as a training bike...but i would like it to look shmick!! also i would like to change the wheels as well..but that can wait!

the most important thing is carbon fork and STIs..pls give me some recommendations

heres a pic- if u see anything that shouldnt be on this bike..tell me!!

o and how come my stem points downwards and from pictures i have seen..how come u guys have the stem pointing upwards? and i went and had a look at the EC90 and it had 2 versions of them, the curved blade and the straight blade..wat is the difference and which one is better(maybe include a pic if u can so i can see wat the difference is) sorry for being a noob..but thanks for the help

cheers

KC


How tall are you? How many inches is it from the center of the bottom bracket axel to the top of the seat tube, 21" (53-54cm?) If your seat is too low, you are losing a lot of pedal power and possibly doing some damage to your knees.

Personally, I really like the bike. It looks like it has some "soul" in it, so I agree with you that it needs some updating (if it fits).

I see three options:

Option 1
Multi-Geared Option
The fork is fine. I think that you like the look of the straight bladed fork like I do. But, you will not feel much difference in how it handles unless you go for some hard core crit racing. Actually, you may find out the steel fork rides better, smoother than a carbon. Keep the fork. $0.00


If you must go STI (cause you want to, you certainly don't need to), you will need to buy a new rear wheel at least (I dig that high flange hub in front, you gotta keep it). You most likely have a 126 rear spacing, but they can usually handle today's 130 hub spacing.

$175.00


You need a new chain and a cassette for the new rear wheel. While you are at it, you should go ahead and replace the chain rings, not just because they are bio-pace (OK, yes just because they are bio-pace) but because 9 speed rings are a bit more narrow to allow better shifting from the narrow 9 speed chain.

$100.00

Now, you have it, a $400.00 beat up frame with some new components.
Coolness factor, 4.

Option 2
Fixed Gear.
Let me see, vintage Italian frame, horizonal drops, scratched and scarred, screams Fixed Gear candidate (or at least a single speed).

Spend $14 on a rear cog (or a BMX freewheel), remove the front and rear deraileurs and maybe remove the rear brake. Select the appropriate front chain ring (OK, keep the bio-pace if you have to, but see below for the full Italian experience).

Now for $114.00, you will have an awe-inspiring Italian Classic fixed gear (or SS) that your new roadie friends will covet. They may even let you ride their $4000.00 X-Brand Carbon Titanium bike if you let them try out yours.

Coolness factor 9.9 (for the ultimate Italian experience, ditch the Shimano stuff and find some vintage Campy stuff, even Victory if costs are an issue.) Adjusted coolness factor, off the scale.

Option 3
If the bike fits as pictured, don't spend a dime on it. Buy yourself some road shoes, and ride it until you are sure you love the sport. Then, send the frame to me for proper disposal (wink) and treat yourself to a brand new shiny ride (that fits) with all of the most modern bells and whistles!

hey guys...when i read ur replys..i was scared, i was like damn i just spent 100 bucks for a frame that dosent fit me and would have spent it on my dh bike...but luckily my other friend came over and saw this bike and really wanted it so he gave me 150 bucks and the benotto went to the new owner!! yay..i m relieved..now i gotta save up(casue i just bought a new downhill frame) and buy a road bike that FITS me...i m ignoring my friend that sold me this bike casue he didnt tell me that it dosent fit me...

once again thanks alot...

KC