Upgrade problems

Brighty

I seem to have a problem, got my new bike back in the summer and immediately put some goodies on it. See below for current spec. The problem is I think this bike is now pretty perfect (for me anyway) and I can’t think of anything that I’d want to change, but I have this urge deep inside to buy shiny new things, I can’t control it much longer, I’ve even considered starting again with a home build single speed, but luckily on-one have no frames I fancy at the mo (no 853’s left), that would really be a no no anyway as I’m emigrating oop norf in a couple of months and will have no room for 2 bikes in a rented flat.

So, tell me, what useful and essential bits can I buy for my current steed? I’m not vain enough to change the transmission to new XT just for the sake of it though, or am i?

Rocklobster 853
Old XT Transmission
Old XT Hydro Brakes with DCL
Reba Team Fork with poploc
Merlin built XC717 on XT hubs
Panaracer Cinder 2.1 Kevlar up front and either another Cinder or a Panaracer Razer Kevlar 2.1 out back
Smica Stem
Easton EA70 Riser Bars
Smica Seatpost
Fizik Gobi Saddle
ODI Rogue Lock-on grips

Cheers

Brighty

RideTheLakes

The solution is easy - you need another bike!

P-Jay

RideTheLakes wrote:

The solution is easy - you need another bike!

He's right. Sorry to say, even though you're really happy with your ride. You've got to now pick a marketing label (freeride, all mountain, mega death kill XC) and built another bike.

Sorry, I don't make the rules

Brighty

Ok, so what bike do i need for extreme overkill canal pootling with max air time? I think i need full suss with 8 inches travel each end and red tyres.

Seriously though, i think you're right and a new nice light singlespeed will be the answer. But it will have to wait a year or so till i'm settled up north and have a house to fit it in. I'm gonna struggle as is moving from a 3 bed house to a flat with all my and the girlfriends general stuff, plus my fishing gear and both our bikes. On the plus side i've just found out about some place called hamstrerley forest which will be on my doorstep when i move, nice.

Brighty

The Spiderman

My XTC has a very similar spec to yours.Once I`ve swapped the wheels,it will be less than 24lbs,and from that stage any big improvenments get ridiculously expensive and the gains will diminish.I am really struggling to think of anything to change,which will radically alter its qualities,save for a titanium or carbon frame.

Instead I am currently considering what road bike I could buy.........

Bromski

Hamsterley is cool - ur gonna love it

Brighty

Yeah only just found out it was up there today, i'll be near Darlington so not far to go. I'll have to check it out when i move as i'll have plenty of time on my hands seeing as i'll be unemployed for an unknown length of time till i get myself some work sorted. Mind you i live near swinley forest now and i've never been :oops:

Brighty

badblood

hey Brighty, I live in Darlo, if you want a bit of a guided tour when you move up, give me a shout, we riide there regularly, it wont be a quick ride mind (uphill anyaway!) as I am recovering from an op, but happy to show you the 'unnoficial' bits as they are the best bits

strodey

Try spending on accessories

- Buy some mega expensive night lights!

- Buy new cycling clothes

- GPS

- New Tyres, summer on its way!

- Pedals (i seem to collect the bloody things)

After that get another bike then transfer above over!

pdid

Could get some matching hope bling:

Headset
Seat post QR
Skewers
Stem
Hubs (if you`re feeling flush)

Phil

Anonymous

i know how you feel, i finally decided to downsize to just one bike and am itching to buy some new parts, even though i absolutely dont need to.

think hard about buying a new bike, dont just do it to be in the cool gang, its easy to be convinced you need a stable of bikes but that depends if you really need a different bike for each of the disciplines that you ride.

if you honestly only ride xc, you absolutely only need an xc bike, no point carrying a couple of spare inches of travel around if you dont need them.

cunning-stunt

Brighty,I feel sorry for you. Another poor soul with fishing and biking to cater for.
Ever have to juggle the money and decide which hobby you need/want to spend the greenbacks on?
I sometimes wonder how I managed to be addicted to two very expensive hobbies

And,like you will be,I live in a flat and have one room absolutely stuffed with fishing gear to cater for just about every freshwater species going (seriously,everything),plus my bike,my big toolchest and another trunk type thing full of bits and parts....it's a nightmare in a 15' by 15' room..

Anyway,I agree with the hope blingy bits.
Seat clamp,
Skewers,
Spacers,
Head doctor,
Bar plugs,
Headset,
BB,
Brakes and pimpy floating rotors,
Reservoir caps,
Stem,
Hubs..

Then get some V12s and the 'pimp my pedals' kit to match the Hope bits.
Goodridge connector bits for the brakes.

Get the Hope in gold and get a KMC X9SL gold chain to match (I'm impressed with its performance so far tbh ).

Easy to pimp for not much cash 8)

Brighty

Cheers for the replys guys

Hope bits may be a possibility, but seems like spending for the sake of it with no real benefit, plus i can't fit a seat qr to my frame as it's a bolted jobbie.

I already have V12 magnesium pedals and hope led lights so that's out (forgot them on the spec list above), plus i'm happy with a cinder up front and a razer out back tyre wise during summer.

Hey ho, i'll live i suppose. Will just have to spend a year speccing up my singlespeed instead to keep me busy.

Cheers for the offer of a guided tour badblood, might take you up on that sometime once i'm up there, don't worry about the not beeing fast as i'm by no means fit, bit lardy and unfit at the mo to be honest, i call it my winter coat, caused by excessive cake and beer. Whereabouts in Darlo are you, i'll be in Middleton St George to start i think (got a mate who lives there, so good aa place as any to rent).

Brighty

Chaka Ping

Has nobody mentioned carbon bars and seatpost?

And I agree on extra tyres, though you might want to see what the trails are like oop north before you choose which ones.

Will Snow

Brighty wrote:

plus i can't fit a seat qr to my frame as it's a bolted jobbie.

eh???

oh and get out and ride, man!!! that way you wont think about what else you can buy!!! plus you m-ight break something, then you have a real excuse...

Brighty

Will Snow wrote:

Brighty wrote:

plus i can't fit a seat qr to my frame as it's a bolted jobbie.

eh???

Looky at the piccy to see what i mean
http://www.pinkbike.com/photo/1332763/

badblood

Hey Brighty, I live off Yarm road so not far from you, does your mate ride? I might know him. I am going to be off the bike for a few weeks yet while I reciver but keen to get out. PM me when you move up and we can sort something

Chaka Ping

I know what you mean about the bolt - but I'm sure it can be removed and replaced with a QR.

Ring Merlin and ask if you can't suss it with the tools you have to hand.

Brighty

Alright fella, sounds like you are close, as Middleton is on the darlo to yarm road.

My mate does ride but more of a weekend pootler round where he lives, he’s not big into it. He’s got his giant Yukon and is happy, no fettling, no upgrades type, but I’ll be dragging him to Hamsterley once I move up. He’s only moved up there a year ago so doubt you know him, unless you work for Sedgefield council.

Good to know there are like minded souls around though, we shall have to meet up for a blast and a pint or 2 sometime (assuming you’re old enough )

Brighty

badblood

definately old enough mate, I'm 36! you're right I probably dontknow him but do ahe a couple of buddies that way. When are you moving up again? I can probably make a pint sooner than a ride at the minute!

Brighty

We're finishing work end of Mar, misses is moving up then and living with my mate and his misses for a couple of weeks while she looks for work, i'll be up end of April after i've sorted out our house down here to ready it for renting out. Glad your old enough for a bevvy, i'm 32 so didn't want to corrupt some young'un.

badblood

I got corrupted a long time ago mate! What sort of work you looking for? I will keep my ears open if you like

Brighty

I'm a mechanical design engineer, currently a self employed 3D CAD contractor, which i'd like to carry on if i can get enough work, i know i may have to travel a bit for it, but it means i don't have to work the whole year. If not i'll just have to get one of those permenant job things i've heard so much about.

Brighty