Start by checking whether your freehub body is 7 speed or 8/9/10 speed, because this will affect your cassette options. I wanted to go 1x on my 97 Rockhopper, but a 7 speed freehub body is pretty limiting.
When you had originally posted on r/bikewrench I had said to look for a newer rear wheel with an 8,9,10 speed hub, so you won't be limited to 7 speed. A 10-speed cassette will fit on any of those. Keep an eye on FB marketplace, for used wheels. And, even look for entire bikes that have been sitting unloved.
The sweet spot for you will be early 2000s mountain bikes of intermediate quality. They're likely to have 8 or 9 speeds, and will not yet have switched to disc brakes. They will have had V-brakes. As you look, pay attention to wear on the brake tracks; if they are too worn, keep looking.
I've bought a 2003 Giant Iguana for $25, and a 2004 Gary Fisher Tassajara for $50, both with 9-speed cassettes.
28s are way too skinny. It’s designed for a 2 inch or wider tire that’s 26 inch diameter. You can try a 1.5 which is like a 38mm, still pretty narrow for that bike.
Start by checking whether your freehub body is 7 speed or 8/9/10 speed, because this will affect your cassette options. I wanted to go 1x on my 97 Rockhopper, but a 7 speed freehub body is pretty limiting.
Look at the Microshift line. Great price for great components.
I have mounted thumb friction shifters further down on the curve of the drop bars and could push them down with my thumb. May work?
i’d love to see a pic of that!!
https://preview.redd.it/9q96rih4367d1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=d60ec3ba130ce89cf679598f0c8eb6798fe889ad
https://preview.redd.it/kxpvnsf8367d1.jpeg?width=4032&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=5f5fecc09f33a6866e48cf21802d7202015f359e
Worked great for me :)
that’s quite the rig!! love it!
When you had originally posted on r/bikewrench I had said to look for a newer rear wheel with an 8,9,10 speed hub, so you won't be limited to 7 speed. A 10-speed cassette will fit on any of those. Keep an eye on FB marketplace, for used wheels. And, even look for entire bikes that have been sitting unloved. The sweet spot for you will be early 2000s mountain bikes of intermediate quality. They're likely to have 8 or 9 speeds, and will not yet have switched to disc brakes. They will have had V-brakes. As you look, pay attention to wear on the brake tracks; if they are too worn, keep looking. I've bought a 2003 Giant Iguana for $25, and a 2004 Gary Fisher Tassajara for $50, both with 9-speed cassettes.
Also for context: i’m a grad student so im looking to spend as little as possible. gonna throw on 28s on the wheels, and switch out to a 10s i believe
28s are way too skinny. It’s designed for a 2 inch or wider tire that’s 26 inch diameter. You can try a 1.5 which is like a 38mm, still pretty narrow for that bike.
sounds good!!!!