The MTB thread

Originally Posted by barwel1992

to focused for the bike, unless you want to do proper DH then you might want to look at changing your bike as well

Freeride, so bit of everything... DH with some light XC.

The Scott FR frame is used as a DH frame by some, so I dont think that would be an issue even if I went down that route.



As an example, damn that looks fine!



Just one other, http://www.scott-sports.com/us_en/pr...4/55660/217970 That comes with the DC Domains, just heavier Boxxers...

[Drew Carey]

Quick Q guys.......

Hypothetical question, but I am happy with most things on my bike with the exception of the rims......if you had say £250 to spend on anything bike related......what would you spend it on? Would you upgrade lots of little bits and get some decent but not flashy rims.......

Or..........should I buy a set of Hope Hoops for the full amount?

Just thinking out aloud at the moment.

[northwind]

Originally Posted by ThEGr33k

Looks like you had a grand time away Northy (lucky git!) sounds exactly like what I should get away and do!!!

I think if/when I buy any more suspension ill go Coil. Air just isnt reliable enough and when it does go its GONE. At least with coil its practically impossible to make completely unridable.

Out of interest (cos im not sure, its a fair amount of money) what you think to Boxxer race forks for my Scott?

Yeah mate, it was really good. Not as expensive as I'd expected, cheaper than 2 weeks in Majorca like everyone else at my work does. Though really, we could have done the exact same thing in the UK, get a hotel in the middle of wales and just ride every day for a week, but it was nice to have some sunshine.

Air, well, the 2 sets of air Revs I have are amazing, it's just these Lyriks, I phoned up TF Tuned and I said "Oh, hi, I've got these 2-step Lyriks and" and the feller interrupted and said "Yeah, they'll have blown up. Coil conversion £75". Quite funny. But it's getting 2010 internals in it apparently as the old ones were pish. Might still do the coil conversion but can't get it done on warranty

Haven't a clue about Boxxers thom, outside of my remit! Though, you know they're doing a double crown domain next year? Apparently because the Boxxer Race doesn't stand up to constant park/freeride use. So maybe not as massively tough as you'd think... Bet I couldn't break 'em though. You get a lot of metal for your money don't you!

Originally Posted by BigBaddad

I first started mountain biking in the late 80's.

I was just watching a video of an old mtb race thinking "Ah! That's why I stopped riding!" I quit mtbing in about 92 and didn't do it again til they'd invented bikes that work When I got my Carrera (£200 in 2009) my mates said it was rubbish, but if I'd taken it back in time to when I got my last mtb before that (1990 I think) it'd have been the best mountain bike in the world

[northwind]

Originally Posted by Drew Carey

Hypothetical question, but I am happy with most things on my bike with the exception of the rims......if you had say £250 to spend on anything bike related......what would you spend it on? Would you upgrade lots of little bits and get some decent but not flashy rims.......

Or..........should I buy a set of Hope Hoops for the full amount?

Depends on the bike really... Rims seem like a good place to spend money to me, I've spent more than I should on mine maybe but the light ones are strong and the strong ones are light... Not sure what I'd do but if there's nothing else begging for an upgrade then maybe.

[maviczap]

Yep, apart from the frame, good wheels or rims are essential on either a road bike or an MTB
Even budget Shimano shifters work well, they just don't last as long as the top end stuff, so you can put up with them.

But heavy or poor quality wheels affect the ride a lot

[Drew Carey]

Well the frame on my bike is Ok, I have Tora 302 forks which should do what I want.....ie XC and commuting to work. The running gear is a mixture if SRAM top of the line stuff, middle spec stuff and Diore crank. Brakes are Avid Juicy 3's which I like.

My plan at the moment was upgrading all the bits and wheels etc. Then once they are all upgraded, will buy in say a year or twos time a frame, switch it all over and then upgrade forks.

Just cant decide whether to upgrade cassette, front & rear derailleur, seat post, headset, bars, chain, grips etc......thus leaving just Rims to upgrade in the future......or splash out on Rims now.

The rims I have already are a set of Rigida rims, with not very good hubs. I have been using the bike for 5 weeks and already have a kink due to someone forcing me up a kurb.....I know good rims etc won't fuly solve that, but stronger rims would help.

So if it was your choice, would you upgrade all you can for £250 and leave the rims, or do the rims first and upgrade other bits as you go in the future? Any advice would be good?

[northwind]

Sounds all pretty decent to me. Is it the current deore cranks, with the external bottom bracket? If it is, they're good, no need to replace 'em. You'd lose, oh, 150g or something going up to XT if I recall right but that's nothing really for the cost. And anyway, best to use drivetrain til it wears out and replace it then if you must.

Think I'd go for wheels myself, that's not an amazing fork mind but it's good enough.

[Drew Carey]

Cheers Northy....agree fork is still entry level, but I dont think spending £250 on forks would be worthwhile at mo.

Looks like around xmas time I will therefore look at some rims. Anyone got any views on alternatives to hope hoops? Is there anything cheaper that are still good, thus buying a few other bits. Was thinking these maybe....

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/M...?ModelID=30822

Thus giving me £80 to upgrade stem, bar, grips.

Or DMR comp combo at £150, thus giving me a little more to play with....plus they are in a funky red colour so woul go well with bike etc. I just dont know if spending the full £250 on a set of wheels is worth it now. Grrrrrrrr. choices choices choices.

[maviczap]

Originally Posted by Drew Carey

Well the frame on my bike is Ok, I have Tora 302 forks which should do what I want.....ie XC and commuting to work. The running gear is a mixture if SRAM top of the line stuff, middle spec stuff and Diore crank. Brakes are Avid Juicy 3's which I like.

My plan at the moment was upgrading all the bits and wheels etc. Then once they are all upgraded, will buy in say a year or twos time a frame, switch it all over and then upgrade forks.

Just cant decide whether to upgrade cassette, front & rear derailleur, seat post, headset, bars, chain, grips etc......thus leaving just Rims to upgrade in the future......or splash out on Rims now.

The rims I have already are a set of Rigida rims, with not very good hubs. I have been using the bike for 5 weeks and already have a kink due to someone forcing me up a kurb.....I know good rims etc won't fuly solve that, but stronger rims would help.

So if it was your choice, would you upgrade all you can for £250 and leave the rims, or do the rims first and upgrade other bits as you go in the future? Any advice would be good?

I'd spend my money on wheels now, as yours are showing signs of abuse

But I remember how much you said you weighed Drew, so wheels are going to have a hard life. Buy a set, so then you've got a spare wheels, use your original wheels as spares Rigida rims & unbranded hubs are where manufacturers save big bucks. Upgrade your gears when they stop working

[Drew Carey]

Originally Posted by maviczap

I'd spend my money on wheels now, as yours are showing signs of abuse

But I remember how much you said you weighed Drew, so wheels are going to have a hard life.

This is very true. Lol.....mean but true!!!

been doing some searching and for my £250.....I was thinking of getting this lot....

DMR Comp Wheelset - £150
ODI Grips & End Plugs - £14
Diety Components DH Bar - £15
Raceface XC Stem - £22
SRAM PG990 - £45 (Not top of the range cassette, but better than the one I currently have).

Anyone got any views on any of these? Good or bad.....keep clear etc.