Let's start from the original specifications.
Specifications
| Sizes | Small, Regular, Large |
|---|---|
| Colors | Double Diamond: Black/White Blue/Bronze Matte Green/Orange Mid-Step: Blue/White Red/Pearl White |
| Frame | ALUXX-grade aluminum with integrated rear carrier and cup holder, double diamond and mid-step options |
| Fork | High Tensile Chromoly Steel |
| Handlebar | Alloy, Mid rise |
| Stem | Alloy Quill |
| Seatpost | Alloy, 30.9 |
| Saddle | Riveted Retro-Classic Comfort, coil spring |
| Pedals | Alloy/Anti-Slip Platform |
| Shifters | Shimano Revo, Twist |
| Front Derailleur | N/A |
| Rear Derailleur | Shimano Tourney |
| Brakes | Alloy, Direct Pull |
|---|---|
| Brake Levers | Alloy Comfort |
| Cassette | Shimano TZ31 14x34, 7-speed |
| Chain | Z51KMC Z51, Nickel Plated |
| Crankset | Alloy, 42T |
| Bottom Bracket | Sealed Cartridge |
| Rims | Giant Alloy, Double wall |
| Hubs | Alloy, 28h |
| Spokes | Stainless Steel, 14g |
| Tires | Kenda Kwick Roller, puncture protection, 700x32 |
| Extras | Chainguard, Kickstand, Bell, Integrated Rack with Straps and removable bag mounts, Integrated Cup Holder, Frame Mounted U-Lock Carrier |
Not very exciting, is it? For some, the word 'tourney' is a complete turn-off and I happen to be one of those. Building a bike is not about what the bike is now but the ability to see the potential of the bike under your charge. Its about dreaming and visualising what and how things should be done. Most importantly, you must have the ability to make it happen.
Just look at that frame. How can you not fall in love with it? It's pure art to bend pieces of metal into such shapes. And how could Giant actually use those cheap components? The top tube is a single piece of metal that starts at the head tube, makes a detour for the cup holder, winds its way towards the rear to form the rack and back again.
It is obvious that with the modifications made to the bike, it is completely transformed. What used to be a straight-up, 'cheap-looking' thing is now a sophisticated piece of machinery.
Over here, we have a term for el-cheapo bikes; we call them market bikes. These are the kind of bikes that are covered with rust, creaks and croaks, uncared and never stolen. I suppose Giant intended for the iNeed Street to be such a bike. If not, why load it with all that crap?
The rear rack has a maximum load of 25 kg. That's strong enough to carry a kid but please do not do that. The rack is meant for goods, not people.
The original wheels came with brandless hubs, the spec sheet simply says Alloy, 28h. Check out the hubs now; Deore XT. The drivetrain is a Shimano Zee 1 x 10 groupset; 36t chainring with 10 gears from 13 to 35 holes. That's more than enough and climbing hills should not be an issue.
Not just the rear but the front hub is also a Deore XT.
The elastic bands are supplied with the bike. The rear rack has pannier holders for those long rides out of town.
Brandless rims give way to DT Swiss wheel set.
You won't believe the options I think of for the drivetrain. Internal gears? 1 x10? 1 x9? Retain the original 1 x 7? Etc, etc... In the end, I cannibalise the Zee system from the Cannondale 29er since I was going to change that to a 2 x 10 drivetrain. Save some money and solved the problem at the same time.
You are unlikely to see a WTB saddle on a cheap banger. I think saddles says alot about the bike. It can raise or lower the stature of the bike. Put a Brooks saddle onto any bike and suddenly, you would think its an expensive bike.
The integrated cup holder was the first thing that caught my eye. Its somewhat crazy and bizarre to put a cup holder on a bike. We don't drink coffee while on the move! But now, I do... The Deda 100mm stem might be replaced with a 90mm one as its quite a reach.
The handlebar is an On One OG gentleman styled. Somehow, this handlebar only works on big bikes. Its so comfortable, I use it on all my 29er/700c hybrids.
Its been a real pleasure building this bike. The smile factor is 9/10.
