Some Hardrock Upgrade Questions!

Broonster

'Lo All,

I have a 2006 Specialized Hardrock Sport, with cable discs etc. I use the bike for scudding around the local forrest & woods mainly, leaving my full-sus for the more hardcore stuff! I'd still like a bit more performance from the Hardrock though and I'm not really keen on buying another hardtail just for dossing around on, and I really like the frame, so reckoned I could spend a wee bit of money on some upgrades. Both upgrades I was thinking about (brakes & gears) need to be done togther, as they are those bolted together Shimano jobbies (combined gear shifters & brake leavers on the handlebars)....

First of all, brakes: can I simply get the brakes changed over from cable brakes to hyrdo brakes and would the rotors need to be changed to acommodate the new ones, or would the current rotors do the job? Any recommendations for some cheap hyrdo brakes that won't burst the bank, but still have a reasonable performance for scudding around?

Secondly, gears: I assume that I can continue to use all of the components that are currently on the bike and that the only thing I would need to change (at the moment) are the gear shifters themselves? Again, any recommendations on cheap shifters? (I have Sram shifters on my full-sus which I'm used to and I reckon they are great).

Apologies for so many question and thanks in advance for any help folks can give!

supersonic

Most disc brake systems come with their own rotors anyway, and it is generally best to stick with these. Shimano Deore brakes are a worthwhile buy for about 100 quid: full kit, ready bled and will fit straight on your bike.

As for shifters, you will have to stick to Shimano as you have a Shimano mech, unless you go for a Sram Attack shifter.

milkywhite

I'd go for some Deore M535 brakes. They're well rated. You can pick them up on CRC for about 50 quid. My mate made this very upgrade on his Hardrock. Didn't need to change the discs, just bolted the brakes on and off he went.

http://chainreactioncycles.com/Kits.aspx?ModelID=23922

As for shifters, I'm assuming your Hardrock has a shimano rear mech? If so you'll need a shimano shifter as the actuation ratio on SRAM shifters is different. Front mech you can use either.

Again, for value Deore can't really be beaten IMO.

edit: How do you type so quick SS?!?!

supersonic

Yep, the M535 twas the one I had in mind, seen them at a local shop to me for 95 quid for the pair:

http://www.lexs.co.uk/acatalog/Shimanobrakes.html

Broonster

supersonic wrote:

Yep, the M535 twas the one I had in mind, seen them at a local shop to me for 95 quid for the pair:

http://www.lexs.co.uk/acatalog/Shimanobrakes.html

Ah, cool, thanks dude.

I looked at the exact same ones in Evans' for 120 quid!

Reckon these would be straight forward enough to fit for someone with limited technical knowledge?!

supersonic

Aye! Just follow yer nose (and the instructions ;-)) and you'll be fine. No bleeding or owt messy really.

Ciaran500

Are you still running the stock RST forks?

Broonster

Ciaran500 wrote:

Are you still running the stock RST forks?

No chance!

I got rid of them not long after I bought the bike (rather stupid, as I should have just bought a better bike at the time, but hey-ho). I am running Marzzochi MX Pros on it now which are just fine & dandy....