NCM Moscow Plus 29" Upgrades / Project Bike

PeterDownes

New Member
Region
Canada
City
York
Hello everyone. This is my first NCM Moscow Plus 29" bike that I bought for a steal deal that cost $1150 used. I noticed that the previous owners did not take care of the bike at all and I'm working hard to make it much better than a stock NCM Moscow Plus.

Things I have noticed & future upgrades:

- The kickstand gave out and was a safety hazard while peddling as it would fall down so I ended up removing it. Currently looking into double kickstand options or rear kickstands if possible.
- The bike came with a busted Freewheel. Apparently it's really common in these bikes. I had my local shop install a 7-speed shifter and a new cassette. Currently, I'm using a loaner tire and motor until I get my 29inch tire back
- The spokes are crap on the standard 29" wheels and when I first got the bike I noticed at least one of them was bent and I think one of them was missing.
- The forks seem good for standard spring forks but they seem to be old/rusty so I plan on upgrading to air forks but I don't know what.
- I noticed this bike does not need a dropper seat post BUT i've never owned one and never tried one so I'd love to have one.
- Planning to upgrade the battery to the 25ah one once I get the chance. Mainly because I also use the bike to deliver food and I want to reduce the need to peddle as much as possible while also having enough juice to do other errands or get home.
- I got new brake pads and ordered fresh 180mm rotors that are not tektro. The previous brake pads were worn down to the metal.

Questions to whoever is reading this:

1. What spokes should I get to make this bike better? (I've never installed spokes myself but I do have a spoke tool)
2. What air forks would be best for this bike?
3. Is a dropper seat a good idea for this bike / useful or should I just leave it stock and change my saddle?
4. Once I have all the possible upgrades I plan to get a completely fresh paint job to make it look nothing like an NCM bike anymore. I am inspired by the colors of McLarens orange or even a two-tone color of orange. I will attach pictures of the car to give you a visual of what I envision on the bicycle.
5. Also, If you know of any good durable kickstands that are better than stock please let me know.

(Please take a look at the colors and try to vividly picture it on the bike. I also plan to change the color of the rims as well)

Any advice or suggestions are welcome. If you think this is a completely bad idea please let me know as well lol.
 

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I didn't know that NCM had freewheel, but why did you get the 7 speed when your stock one is 8 speed?
Unless you felt 8 speed was redundant?

Perhaps upgrade it to 9 speed?
My local shop advised me that 8-speed is bad on NCM bikes and they would have to be replaced sooner. On top of that when I would ride most mountain bikes they would be 7 speed / 21 gears in total so it was something I was always used to. I trust my local mechanic shop as I also used to work for them as an assisstant.
 
Hello everyone. This is my first NCM Moscow Plus 29" bike that I bought for a steal deal that cost $1150 used. I noticed that the previous owners did not take care of the bike at all and I'm working hard to make it much better than a stock NCM Moscow Plus.

Things I have noticed & future upgrades:

- The kickstand gave out and was a safety hazard while peddling as it would fall down so I ended up removing it. Currently looking into double kickstand options or rear kickstands if possible.
- The bike came with a busted Freewheel. Apparently it's really common in these bikes. I had my local shop install a 7-speed shifter and a new cassette. Currently, I'm using a loaner tire and motor until I get my 29inch tire back
- The spokes are crap on the standard 29" wheels and when I first got the bike I noticed at least one of them was bent and I think one of them was missing.
- The forks seem good for standard spring forks but they seem to be old/rusty so I plan on upgrading to air forks but I don't know what.
- I noticed this bike does not need a dropper seat post BUT i've never owned one and never tried one so I'd love to have one.
- Planning to upgrade the battery to the 25ah one once I get the chance. Mainly because I also use the bike to deliver food and I want to reduce the need to peddle as much as possible while also having enough juice to do other errands or get home.
- I got new brake pads and ordered fresh 180mm rotors that are not tektro. The previous brake pads were worn down to the metal.

Questions to whoever is reading this:

1. What spokes should I get to make this bike better? (I've never installed spokes myself but I do have a spoke tool)
2. What air forks would be best for this bike?
3. Is a dropper seat a good idea for this bike / useful or should I just leave it stock and change my saddle?
4. Once I have all the possible upgrades I plan to get a completely fresh paint job to make it look nothing like an NCM bike anymore. I am inspired by the colors of McLarens orange or even a two-tone color of orange. I will attach pictures of the car to give you a visual of what I envision on the bicycle.
5. Also, If you know of any good durable kickstands that are better than stock please let me know.

(Please take a look at the colors and try to vividly picture it on the bike. I also plan to change the color of the rims as well)

Any advice or suggestions are welcome. If you think this is a completely bad idea please let me know as well lol.
I recommend these spokes from ebikes.ca.
Ask for the smaller nipples unless you're prepared to drill out the spoke holes in the rim.
They also have an excellent video on relacing a wheel. I followed it and it worked out great.
 
Personally, I haven't had good luck with Sapim.
DT Swiss has been much better.
Interesting...anything is better than what came with the stock wheel! I relaced the whole wheel last year with the Sapim's and have not had one break since.
 
This Ursus kick stand is rated at 55kg (121 lbs)
I put this double-legged kickstand from Decathlon on my bike. Works well and on sale now for $20Cdn.
 
It looks lke Decathlon no longer carries this item -- or any two-legged kickstands at all. You should be able to find something on Amazon or other sites - or at your LBS. I may even have an extra one around if I look hard enough. If you're in the Toronto area and are interested, , drop me a note.
 
I appreciate your response. I live out the White Rock South of Vancouver. The trouble was looking on Amazon or these other sites is that this bike is not a common bike and it's difficult to get anything for it seems. If you have an extra one around and find it let me know on perhaps so I can get you the ship it to me and I'll pay the shipping? Thanks for much
 
I appreciate your response. I live out the White Rock South of Vancouver. The trouble was looking on Amazon or these other sites is that this bike is not a common bike and it's difficult to get anything for it seems. If you have an extra one around and find it let me know on perhaps so I can get you the ship it to me and I'll pay the shipping? Thanks for much
I'm not sure if there's anything really different on the NCM bikes compared to other bikes. Mine is a Milano+. The good thing about Amazon is that, if it doesn't fit or work, returning is pretty easy.
 
Thanks again I really appreciate it. It's difficult to find one that fits because the plate fits down into a slot as a certain dimensions and none of them have that dimension. I am waiting to hear from NCM in California. Anyway thank you very much really appreciate your assistance
 
Please ignore my last message as I looked up Miranda won't realize that it's a MCM bike. And according to Google it has the same kickstand so if you do find it maybe you can send me a photo or something but it's probably the same one.
 
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