Modding the Mongoose Randonneur Part 2

This is how it looks now. (Click for larger view).

The photograph shows the latest incarnation of the Mongoose Randonneur. The only other modification made since this photograph was taken was to cut the rear mudguard off near the brake mounts. The reason for this was that when off road, the mud and sand was jamming at the rear of the mudguard. The BOB trailer was also hitting the end of the rear mudguard.

Since Part One of Modding the Mongoose, I have fitted some Vision Stick rechargeable lights, solved the chain suicide problem, fitted lower ratio gears and a solved a few other problems.

As can be seen in the next photograph, the new headlights are mounted within reach of both hands on the sides of the aero bars. I installed a blinker LED type light to the top of the aero bars. This aids in my visibility. The rechargeable headlights are for seeing where I am going.

View from the front of the bike showing the Ortlieb handlebar bag and head lights.

View from the top.

I was also able to track down a brand new pair of old stock ratcheted reverse sprung friction shifters, which I fitted to the bike to replace the old, found at the tip type. Gear changes are so smooth, it is hard to tell if the chain has actually moved.

Brand new old stock friction shifters.

The next problem to solve was the chain's propensity to fly off on it's own accord whenever it felt like it. On close examination, the front derailleur was mounted dead straight, and I noticed the cage was bending under shifting conditions. A good kick bent the derailleur cage even further, and then I adjusted the derailleur at a slight angle.

This resulted in much better shifting, but still the occasional chain drop. As mentioned in Part One, I had two anti chain suck devices and neither of them fitted correctly. I ended up getting the light weight plastic one and cutting the notch off of it. I then took the plate off of the NStop device and bolted the plate to the plastic one.

I then shimmed it with a piece of rubber and mounted it. I have not had the chain come off since. The plate can be seen in the photograph below if you look hard enough.

If you look hard enough you can see the plate to stop the chain coming off of the inner chain ring.

After finally solving this problem, I then next needed to solve the problem of inadequate low gearing. I approached several bike stores, but most of them were no good. Finally I took the bike to the local bike store, and he scratched his head, and said he would ring Shimano.

Whilst he was on the phone to Shimano I went rummaging through his old stock bargain bin, when lo and behold, I found a set of Shimano Hollowtech I MTB 175 mm cranks with a 22-30-42T combination.

I told him that these would fit, and not to bother, even though the look on his face showed that he thought that they would not fit. I already had 175mm cranks. When I got home I removed the old cranks and chain rings and fitted the new ones on without any problems. I also had to shorten the chain by dropping 8 links out of it.

New cranks and chain rings in place.

This now gives me a low gear of the a 22 tooth small chain ring, to a large 32 tooth on the rear. This now makes a good tourer for riding up steep hills with a load on. Coupled with my modified anti chain suck device, and the new shifters, the gears are a dream. With the previous chain rings, the largest one was a 52 tooth which I never used so I doubt that I will miss it.

As mentioned in Part One, I also changed the seat as the original seat was causing some numbness. I fitted a seat with a gap down the middle as shown in the picture below.

The replacement seat. One with a gap down the middle.

Apart from some minor problems with the rear wheel not staying true, the bike is now perfectly set up for my type of touring. I suspect that over time I will have to replace the rear wheel, but this is expected.

The only other minor modifications required now are to fit a better rear view mirror system which I am currently working on.

And so ends the long journey. We now continue on to Part Three of Modding the Mongoose for some final changes.