Rebuilding a Specialised Sirrus Sport

[Welshnwobbly]

Hi all,
I'm rebuilding my Specialised Sirrus Sport to turn it into a lighter, faster racer.
I've taken off the handlebars, saddle, brakes, bottom bracket and everything else and want to rebuild it with racing handlebars, new or second hand bottom bracket and components.
It's not really worth spending a lot on so I'm wondering what to do as I have various second hand components already.
I need to synchronise bottom bracket, cassette, derailleur and chain and wonder if it's possible to match second hand ones or do I need to buy new?

 

[Cycleops]

You can certainly buy second hand but it looks like you have most of the stuff already, all you need is a saddle, chainset and chain. Cables you should buy new.
Good luck with your project, it'll teach you alot .
Advisory note: You might want to check which side those shifters go.

 

[roadrash]

well done @Cycleops , spot the deliberate mistake, you win

 

[vickster]

Be aware if it used to be a flatbar you’ll likely need a rather short stem or it’ll be too long in the reach

 

[fossyant]

Stem reach, like has been said could be an issue, and the v-brakes - check the road levers give enough 'pull'.

PS it won't make it 'faster'... you'll gain some hand positions from the drop bars. For faster, you'd need lighter tyres and wheels, but realistically, they make a tiny difference. You are the engine - so ride more - it's simple.

 

[HLaB]

The reach is not bad as its the sirrus sports is a flat, I found my converted sirrus very comfy and less effort as it was more aerodynamic. What I would say though the braking wont be the best (sti's don't pull enough cable for v brakes). I over came that in part by installing in line 'Problem Solver Travel Agents' but even then it wasn't perfect.

 

[ChrisEyles]

Fine to mix and match chain / sprockets / chain rings and derailleurs / shifters with old parts, I've done it plenty of times.

Only things to check are

1) make sure the cassette and shifters are for the same number of gears as spacing between sprockets is slightly different for 8/9/10 speed (derailleur type doesn't matter here, so you can use a 10 speed derailleur with 8 speed shifter & cassette if you wanted)
2) you can't mix sram and shimano derailleurs and shifters as they use different amounts of cable pull to achieve a given amount of derailleur movement
3) if the chain is new and the sprockets are really worn the chain may skip - using an older, more worn chain can fix this

 

[Gravity Aided]

1) make sure the cassette and shifters are for the same number of gears as spacing between sprockets is slightly different for 8/9/10 speed (derailleur type doesn't matter here, so you can use a 10 speed derailleur with 8 speed shifter & cassette if you wanted)

Good to know, I may have just such a situation coming up.

 

[Welshnwobbly]

You can certainly buy second hand but it looks like you have most of the stuff already, all you need is a saddle, chainset and chain. Cables you should buy new.
Good luck with your project, it'll teach you alot .
Advisory note: You might want to check which side those shifters go.

Hi,Thanks for your reply.
My plan is to fit only right shifter and one front brake.
I'd rather have just one chainwheel on the front and don't really want two.
Garry

 

[Welshnwobbly]

Many thanks to everyone for their interest and replies.
I don't think the stem thing is an issue for me really but appreciate the point.
The V brakes are because the frame is wider for wheels than my Condor Italia RC bike so I cannot fit that type of brake to frame. I think I will have problems with braking, yes. It wasn't particularly good when it had flat handlebars.
It's the points Chris makes that really count, for me, particularly the issue of fitting a new chain on an older chainwheel and cassette.
I don't see the point of left sided shifters as I can shift eight gears on right and can have a brake there which will make the bike legal.
I also don't see the point in having two chainwheels on front if I don't have shifter on left.
Am I right in saying that I need to find an eight speed shifter on front right to match up with eight speed cassette on rear wheel?
I think the shifter I've fitted on right is actually a left sided shifter?
I have the other shifter in the garage but it seems to have stopped clicking. Can I repair it?