Upgrading my good old Dawes 201

[Chief Broom]

Cant afford a new touring bike at the mo..so thought i would get a Trek FX 3 as a interim bike...but there aint any to be had as its being phased out for the new model [which is gross imho]. So's i wondered if i can upgrade the Dawes 201 to a ten speed, my LBS says it can be done. The rear wheel is a Mavic https://www.tredz.co.uk/.M-Part-Shimano-Tiagra-Hub-on-Mavic-Open-Sport-Rim-Complete-Wheel_35633.htm ,
Could there be any problems and what derailleur should i go for? Advice appreciated

 

[raleighnut]

Cant afford a new touring bike at the mo..so thought i would get a Trek FX 3 as a interim bike...but there aint any to be had as its being phased out for the new model [which is gross imho]. So's i wondered if i can upgrade the Dawes 201 to a ten speed, my LBS says it can be done. The rear wheel is a Mavic https://www.tredz.co.uk/.M-Part-Shimano-Tiagra-Hub-on-Mavic-Open-Sport-Rim-Complete-Wheel_35633.htm ,
Could there be any problems and what derailleur should i go for? Advice appreciated
View attachment 734346

You will need different shift levers too if going for a 10 speed rear cassette, my preference would be 105 but if it has a 2 or 3 ring crank you'll need a 'long cage' version.

 

[Jameshow]

I'd go for something like a deore spec mid range rd!

No point putting on a cheap rd which shifts poorly.

 

[Chief Broom]

You will need different shift levers too if going for a 10 speed rear cassette, my preference would be 105 but if it has a 2 or 3 ring crank you'll need a 'long cage' version.

Thanks raleighnut, its a 1 x with a trigger shifter

 

[Jameshow]

You will need different shift levers too if going for a 10 speed rear cassette, my preference would be 105 but if it has a 2 or 3 ring crank you'll need a 'long cage' version.

https://road.cc/content/review/271767-dawes-discovery-201-2020

If it's this model you'll need a 10spd shifter and might as well go for a 42t cassette too..

 

[raleighnut]

Thanks raleighnut, its a 1 x with a trigger shifter

Ah so more of an MTB/hybrid setup, in that case probably Deore

 

[Chief Broom]

* mods if this post should be in components please move, thanks

Okey dokey thanks for the input guys
So now im marking up the parts i'll need.... being a relative newbie its a bit brain boggling....hmm anyhow i think i need one of these- https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/28589205...uid=fVPGtNP2RCW&widget_ver=artemis&media=COPY

and these
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/235450308474?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-127632-2357-0&ssspo=7WirsyLWQX-&sssrc=2047675&ssuid=fVPGtNP2RCW&widget_ver=artemis&media=COPY


https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/30553155...uid=fVPGtNP2RCW&widget_ver=artemis&media=COPY


and lastly a chainring of the narrow/wide variety- a 5 arm 130 bcd 42t and i should be sorted. If ive made any appalling gaffs i hope someone will let me know

* oh and suppose a chain would be good too.....

 

[T4tomo]

What is going 10spd going to give you over 8, apart from a couple more mid range ratios?
What are you trying to achieve?

 

[Cathryn]

I loved my 201. It got nicked! Still gutted.

 

[Chief Broom]

What is going 10spd going to give you over 8, apart from a couple more mid range ratios?

Good question T4tomo! it may seem odd to spend out on a basic, budget, cheep n cheerful bike....but i really like it and its ergonomics fit me very well. As a steadily developing newbie though and ramping up the mileage its limitations become more apparent. As mentioned i was going to get a Trek FX 3 as an interim bike until i can afford a light tourer [Thorn Mercury/Shand Stoater] but the Trek isnt available in my size anymore so an upgrade seemed like a possibility. The Dawes has a simple charm which has always made me smile so if i can improve it then it can continue giving stirling service!
The extra ratios will be at the high/low end rather than mid range though i will have to decide on what chain ring size. Crisper gear changing will be appreciated as the Altus on the Dawes is ok but obviously not the slickest..... I can live with the rim brakes for the time being and im happy not to discard a bike ive got a real affection for...

 

[Jameshow]

Good question T4tomo! it may seem odd to spend out on a basic, budget, cheep n cheerful bike....but i really like it and its ergonomics fit me very well. As a steadily developing newbie though and ramping up the mileage its limitations become more apparent. As mentioned i was going to get a Trek FX 3 as an interim bike until i can afford a light tourer [Thorn Mercury/Shand Stoater] but the Trek isnt available in my size anymore so an upgrade seemed like a possibility. The Dawes has a simple charm which has always made me smile so if i can improve it then it can continue giving stirling service!
The extra ratios will be at the high/low end rather than mid range though i will have to decide on what chain ring size. Crisper gear changing will be appreciated as the Altus on the Dawes is ok but obviously not the slickest..... I can live with the rim brakes for the time being and im happy not to discard a bike ive got a real affection for...

You could keep the 201 as it is...

And by yourself a nice s/h light tourer for £100?

Unless space is tight.
Having a second bike is always a good idea!

Something like a Raleigh, Dawes audax, Ridgeback rapide etc.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/23561206...tixoXeJTeO&var=&widget_ver=artemis&media=COPY

 

[Chief Broom]

You could keep the 201 as it is...

And by yourself a nice s/h light tourer for £100?

Unless space is tight.
Having a second bike is always a good idea!

Something like a Raleigh, Dawes audax, Ridgeback rapide etc.

Not easy to find a bike here in the Highlands and made harder by me wanting a 1 x drive train Ive been scanning local ads for ages and 1 x's are unicorn rare! I did consider getting a Dawes Galaxy and converting to 1 x [apologies to purist] ! Ive no car so cant drive to see a bike and unwilling to chance it on ebay One day i'll have my Thorn/Shand but will always keep the Dawes!

 

[T4tomo]

The extra ratios will be at the high/low end rather than mid range though i will have to decide on what chain ring size.

I don't think you need much at the higher end, why not whack on a wider range cassette to give you the climbing gears and see how you go.
https://www.spacycles.co.uk/m8b0s150p4476/SUNRACE-8spd-M680-11-40-Cassette

Just need to check the spec of your rear mech to see if it will cope with 40T sprocket. A Wolftooth / RD extender might be needed - but tahts cheap, as its a 1X set-up, mech capacity isnt an issue.
https://www.spacycles.co.uk/m8b0s222p3967/SUNRACE-SP-570-Extender-Link

If that's not low enough then a 40/38T chainring are always an option to make it more touring friendly.

(I run my gravel / winter bike with a 38T & 11-34, I can get to a fair old speed on 38-11 before I spin out, just to reinforce I don't think you need more high gears)

as an aside I've seen the Shands in the flesh - lovely bikes.

 

[Chief Broom]

View attachment 734628
I don't think you need much at the higher end, why not whack on a wider range cassette to give you the climbing gears and see how you go.
https://www.spacycles.co.uk/m8b0s150p4476/SUNRACE-8spd-M680-11-40-Cassette

Just need to check the spec of your rear mech to see if it will cope with 40T sprocket. A Wolftooth / RD extender might be needed - but tahts cheap, as its a 1X set-up, mech capacity isnt an issue.
https://www.spacycles.co.uk/m8b0s222p3967/SUNRACE-SP-570-Extender-Link

If that's not low enough then a 40/38T chainring are always an option to make it more touring friendly.

(I run my gravel / winter bike with a 38T & 11-34, I can get to a fair old speed on 38-11 before I spin out, just to reinforce I don't think you need more high gears)

as an aside I've seen the Shands in the flesh - lovely bikes.

Thanks T4tomo i do appreciate you taking the trouble to impart this info
I think my ideal gear range would be a smidgeon faster at the top end with the lowest gear a smidgeon lower than the Dawes with equal spacing in between. I do a lot of hills so have been getting stronger and only use 1st gear on the severest climbs, though im sure i'll meet some beasts of hills as my range extends [hence the smidgeon lower]. At the moment i guess that 95% of the time im using gears above 1st and 2nd .
The rosy review of Altus slick/sweet gear changing just isnt true! its ok if not rushed but after doing 50 mile rides up and down dale it can feel a bit 'agricultural' and a tad annoying. The same review said the Dawes forks were ally...theyre not, theyre steel!
To summarise i would like a usable spread of gears with positive selection and not so much graunch!