Wednesday, February 2, 2011

Upgrading Raleigh MV7

Just came across this Raleigh MV7 mini velo, looks pretty good! Although the stock components are nothing to shout about, the frame actually looks decent and very upgradable. Not sure what the frame material is, but the low price of $269 means that you can buy it and slowly upgrade all the parts.


Imagine changing the wheelset, crankset, brakes, shifters, rear derailleur and cockpit of the bike to that of the Dash X20. This might set you back around $1500? Add some extra money for the other little items like seatpost and stuff like that, and the total cost of the bike would be around $2000. Not nearly as good as the Dash X20, but certainly far more affordable. Also, it would be fun to upgrade and choose exactly which components you want, and can upgrade slowly in instalments.

After upgrading, the MV7 would still be slightly heavier, has only 10 speeds at most (because no front derailleur), and cannot fold. But once again, it would be much cheaper than the Dash X20 ($3200) or even the Dash P18.
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29 comments:

  1. devilzhuangDecember 7, 2011 at 9:45 PM

    am i able to fit in a Shimano 105 crankset FC-5750? the set have shimano 105 bb together..

    ReplyDelete
  2. tylsteveDecember 7, 2011 at 10:16 PM

    No problem. One of the guys have upgraded to a Shimano Ultegra 6700 crankset. The 105 crankset has the same construction and specifications and will fit with no problem.

    ReplyDelete
  3. RossMarch 13, 2012 at 12:13 AM

    where and what is best to upgrade this bike can suggest as I am a new to all this thanks in advance

    ReplyDelete
  4. tylsteveMarch 13, 2012 at 6:38 AM

    wow that is a very open ended question. a lot depends on what you are looking for in the bike. I suggest you read up more and you might get some inspiration from this blog.

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  5. AnonymousJuly 3, 2012 at 9:30 PM

    Hi! Just want to check if MV7 can only use 451 wheel size only? Is it possible to use 406 wheel size instead like Kinetix Pro? Thanks! :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. tylsteveJuly 3, 2012 at 10:15 PM

      the default wheel size is 406 wheels. 451 wheels are bigger and are unlikely to fit.

      The kinetix pro wheels cannot be used, not because the wheel size is wrong. Rather, it is the front hub width that is different. I believe the MV7 uses a standard front hub OverLocknutDimension (OLD) of 100mm, whereas the Kinetix Pro (and Dahon/Tern bikes) use 74mm front hub width.

      Delete
    2. PauloJuly 4, 2012 at 12:21 AM

      Thanks for your reply! Would you be able to advise which brand or model of wheelset I can use? Mostly i've seen are kinetix and such :( also, is there a way to modify the front hub OLD...like making it slimmer?

      Delete
    3. tylsteveJuly 4, 2012 at 12:52 PM

      There are few wheelsets that can fit Dahon bikes as the front hub width is different. No way to make the hub slimmer.

      Kinetix wheels are pretty good.Taiwan do have many other wheels, but you have to be there to buy it.

      Delete
  6. PauloJuly 4, 2012 at 4:34 PM

    I see...thanks for the info. I guess my choices are either to buy a 451 wheelset (with 100mm) ...or i bend the bicycle frame to make it slimmer :) Thanks again!

    ReplyDelete
  7. AnonymousJuly 15, 2012 at 12:06 PM

    Wanna change to black rims. Any recommendations?

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  8. AnonymousJuly 24, 2012 at 8:03 PM

    Hi, there's a qn to ask... about upgrading the crankset... i asked ard...rodalink... hup leong, etc... what they told me that if i wanna change the crankset to shimano 105, i will basically need to change everything like adding rd, fd, brakeset and crankset,etc. it is not possible for me to changejust the crankset, rd and the rear shifter alone... could someone enlighten me? thks

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  9. tylsteveJuly 25, 2012 at 8:09 AM

    actually you can. change the crankset and bb, cassette and chain, Rd and rear shifter. brakes no need to change. if you not shifting the front then no need fd and front shifter.

    ReplyDelete
  10. AnonymousJuly 26, 2012 at 1:49 AM

    Any recommendation for the crankset n rear dee?
    Btw is this suitable?
    www.chainreactioncycles.com/Mobile/MobileModels.aspx?ModelID=54762

    Thks

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. tylsteveJuly 26, 2012 at 6:02 PM

      this one should fit provided you get the correct BB to fit the frame and crankset

      Delete
  11. Bike PenguinDecember 6, 2012 at 4:29 PM

    I've managed to have a 105 crankset installed on mine, along with a Deore 10 speed RD, cassette. Litepro 451 wheels with Durano tyres. This thing is nice and fast.

    Next thing will be to add a FD using an adaptor to mount it. It works and I've seen with a dual crank chain ring up on the front that actually shifts and works.

    ReplyDelete
  12. DeepOneFebruary 10, 2014 at 10:40 AM

    it's been done. Friend of mine brought his MV7 (now MV20) to the bike wizards at the Rebound Centre.

    ReplyDelete
  13. BlitzkrieghMay 10, 2014 at 9:26 AM

    hi steve, would you know of any single speed crankset for MV8? what specs of cranks or BB type/size should I be looking at?

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    Replies
    1. tylsteveMay 10, 2014 at 7:25 PM

      Not sure of single speed cranks, you might want to check out Scootz bike shop for more advice as they are quite good at dealing with Raleigh mini velos and I think they have some single speed cranksets. Choose a compatible BB after you select the crankset. The MV8 frame can take standard English threaded BBs so don't worry about compatibility there.

      Delete
  14. BlitzkrieghMay 11, 2014 at 10:25 PM

    Thanks steve. I was in crib sports wiz kids this weekend and chatting about my intention to upgrade the cranksets and one mechanic recommended to upgrade the cogs to 10 speeds and keep the stock instead. Sounds feasible though and might explore this option then. Thinking now to upgrade the 8spd to a sora 9spd or tiagra 10spd read D sets.

    ReplyDelete
  15. AnonymousMay 3, 2017 at 11:49 PM

    Hi Steve,

    Got 2 raleigh MD8 mini velos with disc brakes. Wanted to upgrade to Shimano 105 (11 speed or how many speed you will recommend for easy and comfort riding with hidden performance when needed?)

    Must I change the stock wheelset because it is heavy or it came with disc brakes?

    And any LBS which you will recommend to me for upgarding my 2 raleigh MD8s? I m staying in Ang Mo Kio.


    Thanks

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. tylsteveMay 4, 2017 at 8:41 AM

      11 speed is good as it is the latest technology and you can find the parts easily.
      However, you will need to get a new 11 speed compatible rear wheel that has a hub for disc brake rotor.
      Check out Chapter2Cycle at AMK or BRU at Yishun.

      Delete
    2. AnonymousMay 4, 2017 at 10:11 AM

      Thanks Steve.
      Your blog is rich in information and explanation is very clear.��

      Delete
    3. AnonymousMay 4, 2017 at 12:49 PM

      Thanks Steve.
      Your blog is rich in information and explanation is very clear.��

      Delete
  16. r0yboyJanuary 16, 2021 at 10:17 PM

    Hi, I owned a stock Raleigh MV 7. I plan to upgrade it. I wanted to replace the bottom bracket and also wheelset. Any idea what is the width of the BB? Can I use Shimano Hollowtech bottom bracket? Lastly for the wheelset especially the rear hub can I use MTB hub? Sorry for the noob questions.

    ReplyDelete
  17. Pcn riderFebruary 6, 2021 at 10:16 PM

    Hi I'm Ower of mv7 do anybody know what is the headset size? Messure outer diameter is 41mm . Any clue what is the inner diameter?

    ReplyDelete
  18. Pcn riderFebruary 6, 2021 at 10:16 PM

    Hi I'm Ower of mv7 do anybody know what is the headset size? Messure outer diameter is 41mm . Any clue what is the inner diameter?

    ReplyDelete
  19. UnknownMay 2, 2021 at 12:30 PM

    Hi, do u happen to know the weight of the frame? Thinking of buying a MV and slowly upgrade. Thanks.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. tylsteveMay 2, 2021 at 2:17 PM

      This is probably not a lightweight frame. If you want to upgrade a mini velo, I highly recommend getting a mini velo from Ascent Bikes. The frames are lightweight a d are of high quality. Check out the details at this link.
      https://handsonbike.blogspot.com/2019/02/ascent-bolt-mini-velo-introduction.html

      Delete
    2. SpencerMay 8, 2021 at 1:41 PM

      Thanks Steve.

      Delete

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