Pitch Pro - What components to upgrade on it?

Anderzz

I have a Specialized Pitch Pro, and even though its perfectly adequate for me, I have a desire to spend a bit more dosh on it.

Its got wellgo Mg1 pedals and a Charge Spoon seat (albeit a bit uncomfy for me )

Other than that its standard. The Juicy 3 brakes have been fine for me this far, and the tyres havent given me much trouble either. But Im assuming they would be prime candidates.

Id like some good brown grips but I dunno what ones are the best buy.

What would you buy if you had the same bike?

supersonic

There is nothing that stands out as being under par. Very even spec. maybe wheels at a push.

Anderzz

supersonic wrote:

There is nothing that stands out as being under par. Very even spec. maybe wheels at a push.

I think lock on grips would be a good addition, is there any good ones that come in tan/brown?

what would be the benefit from new wheels? weight reduction?

supersonic

Yes, the rear hub, while pretty tough, is heavy and needs a lot of service. Butted spokes will add strength, the PG 1.8 are pretty poor.

jayson

How about some X9 shifters??

Anderzz

supersonic wrote:

Yes, the rear hub, while pretty tough, is heavy and needs a lot of service. Butted spokes will add strength, the PG 1.8 are pretty poor.

From reading a lot of your posts on here I see your a man with good knowledge, What would you recommend as a replacement?

Weight reduction and strength sounds good to me

Mancunianfightingcat

There's a few brown grips here

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/c/Cycle/7/Bar_Grips/




.

Anderzz

jayson wrote:

How about some X9 shifters??

That could be an idea actually. From an aesthetic point of view too, Id prefer something with a bit more build quality. and obviously better performance.

Im a bit of a noob with mountain biking but I really wanna learn, So i dont mind buying things that I could take my time and learn to fit properly. With correct tools of course.

supersonic

Anderzz wrote:

supersonic wrote:

Yes, the rear hub, while pretty tough, is heavy and needs a lot of service. Butted spokes will add strength, the PG 1.8 are pretty poor.

From reading a lot of your posts on here I see your a man with good knowledge, What would you recommend as a replacement?

Weight reduction and strength sounds good to me

Why thank you ;-)

Depends on your budget, but I'd look at either XT hubs or DMR Revolver hubs, built into Mavic 719 rims and using 14/15g double butted spokes. The weight won't come down that much, but will be a hell of a lot tougher.

Anderzz

supersonic wrote:

Why thank you ;-)

Depends on your budget, but I'd look at either XT hubs or DMR Revolver hubs, built into Mavic 719 rims and using 14/15g double butted spokes. The weight won't come down that much, but will be a hell of a lot tougher.

From a quick google, and again, my limited knowledge. That would cost about 100 quid for one wheel right?

Think ill get new shifters and grips first, but anything to pimp up my new found pride and joy is good to me!.

If someone would be nice enough to link direct to sites where i could buy some of these items id appreciate it. Some of the model numbers that pop up when i google leave me a bit unsure.

supersonic

I think about 150 for the pair maybe.

Anderzz

supersonic wrote:

I think about 150 for the pair maybe.

Merlin Cycles have been good when ive bought some items from them, I get the impression that they pride themselves on setting up wheels nicely too. Is it worth speccing some and seeing if they would run them up for me?

supersonic

Sure, give them a ring and talk to the builder! They have done me two pairs, excellent build.

Flip side of the coin is that if your exisiting wheels are working, they are good wheels ;-)

Anderzz

supersonic wrote:

Sure, give them a ring and talk to the builder! They have done me two pairs, excellent build.

Flip side of the coin is that if your exisiting wheels are working, they are good wheels ;-)

And so it speaks, the voice of reason!

Stuey01

Replace your wheels when you break them.

Look elsewhere...

I'd go for brakes or a switch to a double and bash. ethirteen bashguard and 36 t ring can be had for reasonable money.

Anderzz

Stuey01 wrote:

Replace your wheels when you break them.

Look elsewhere...

I'd go for brakes or a switch to a double and bash. ethirteen bashguard and 36 t ring can be had for reasonable money.

when you do this, what is the deal with the shifter, when obviously it only drops to 2 chainrings instead of 3

Stuey01

You just wind in the limit screw on the front derailleur so you can't push it over any further than the middle ring.

ben110

orite mate new to all this forum stuff so dont no if il be mutch help to you first off what type of riding you into???, wheels are defo a great place to start tho merlin is the best place to buy from to i have these http://merlincycles.co.uk/?fn=product&p ... egoryId=99 and are sooo good and have never had to do anythink to them and you can chose between the xc and all moutain type rims to suite your riding to, as for the grips lock is the way to go have a look at these http://merlincycles.co.uk/?fn=product&p ... egoryId=73 as for the saddel the sdg bel-air rage are always good. hope this helps you

Anderzz

ben110 wrote:

orite mate new to all this forum stuff so dont no if il be mutch help to you first off what type of riding you into???, wheels are defo a great place to start tho merlin is the best place to buy from to i have these http://merlincycles.co.uk/?fn=product&p ... egoryId=99 and are sooo good and have never had to do anythink to them and you can chose between the xc and all moutain type rims to suite your riding to, as for the grips lock is the way to go have a look at these http://merlincycles.co.uk/?fn=product&p ... egoryId=73 as for the saddel the sdg bel-air rage are always good. hope this helps you

Thanks for the pointers mate. Riding is currently not as All Mountain as I plan it to be, but I do want to use my pitch to its full potential!

Them grips look nice, think ill order some now thanks!.

clunky

Evening Anderzz I have a pitch pro too and am pleased to say its one of the best bikes I have owned...quality choice. The first thing I had to change were the tyres as i found them too slippy for winter riding...tried to get some maxxis minions to start but out of stock everywhere....in the end the local bike shop(petes cycles stourport-on-severn) had some some intense intruders ...quality grip in most conditions and fill me with confience if a little on the heavy side for some. Basically depends onwhat your riding
Also thought the seat post a little long due to to frame config for when you need to drop the saddle so took a couple of inches off this.

bells0

Gravity dropping seatpost would be a good investment if the rest of the kit works.

Love my i900 from pure. Makes the downhills a lot easier [no more having to stop and drop the quick release seat post everytime you get to something difficult].

Lighter cassette and chain + lighter cranks maybe?

Steve_b77

On my Comp, I've changed:

- The wheels for Hope Hoops with 5.1D's
- Fitted a SLX Crankset
- Crank Bros Joplin
- High Rollers instead of crappy OE Eskars
- Charge Spoon
- Outland Lock-ons
- Outland Mag Flats
- XT Cassette
- KMC X9.93 Chain (massive improvement)
- Also have a Race Face Bash Guard that goes on some times

grumsta

I got some X7 shifters for mine, plus a new saddle (Charge Spoon), i900 adjustable seatpost, Specialized Rocca lock on grips and end caps (go nicely with the brown bike). Thinking of getting a bash and 36t ring for the Mega.

Biggest difference was Maxxis High Rollers 2.35 - sticky on the front - amazing grip. Stock tyres were fine in the dry but I found them sketchy in the wet.

jairaj

From the replies above sounds like the Pitch is a good all round bike with nothing really to upgrade until it breaks.

Why not try spending a few pounds upgrading the rider to make you & bike faster / better. Maybe a skills course or a weekend away in Wales or Scotland spent riding all day every day?

My skills greatly improved by spending a weekend away from the local trails and getting out of my comfort zone. Now I have a lot more fun on the bike.

You also have the bonus of as you get better and do bigger stuff, the chance of breaking something and having to replace it with some bling increases

Anderzz

Cheers for all the informative replies guys

I am going to order some grips now, and i think ill buy myself some more essential rider items like you say. But everything listed will definately be on my list once I decide to splash out.

turbodog

Only things i have changed on my PP are: ODI X-Treme Lock-On Grip, Wellgo MG1 pedals, Charge spoon saddle and Kenda UTC 2.3 front and 2.1 back tyres. I think that is sufficient enough for me to be confident in my riding on black routes.

turbodog

regarding about Race Face Bash Guard for PP, do i need to go for 34 or 36 teeth?

pedropete

First things I added/changed on mine were:

- Pedals: DMR V8s (straight swap at the shop)
- Saddle: WTB 'Pure V'
- Stem: Truvativ 'Hussefelt'
- Bars: as above
- Grips: Spesh's own 'Rocca' lock-ons - comfy and a good match for the bike's look

Planned for the very near future:

- Firmer springs for the Pikes (at 16 stone, I need it)
- X9 shifters
- Brakes: Possibly Elixir CRs or Saint M810s. Waiting see if anyone's cooked their Elixirs on alpine runs before I decide
- Cobra i900r seatpost
- Wheels: not bent 'em yet but only a matter of time with my lardy arse on board. Want something tougher without too much added weight.
- Would love a Maxle back end. Anyone know if this can be done on the Pitch?
- Tyres: something that'll edge but roll well

For the future (and a remortgage):

- Get the Pikes pushed
- Headset & BB: Chris King or Hope
- Maybe (a big maybe), a Hammerschmidt transmission on the front end. Not sure if the BB shell is compatible though, and want to see how reliable they are in the UK winter filth, given that a complete install runs to around £600!

ESHER SHORE

Firmer springs for the Pikes (at 16 stone, I need it)

for your weight, you will need the extra-firm pike spring


the Pitch Pro is a great bike out of the box, and it ruins the excellent "value" to start replacing parts unless they have worn out or broken in crash, or just feel "wrong" like the handlebar?

I'd personally put an Easton EA-50 31.8mm riser bar on, ODI Lock-on grips on there, change the tires and pedals, and dump the big chainring for a 36T /22T and E13 bashguard

the rear hub will definitely die within a year, but wait until that happens and get a nice Hope Pro II hub built onto the rim of your choice with double butted spokes

I'd avoid the DMR Revolver rear hub (mine lasted 6 weeks), its so sh*te that not even the DMR guys use them, they all run the £100 DMR 6-Pawl


the Pitch won't take a MAxle in the rear, the frame has to be designed to accept Maxle and the Pitch isn't

however, Hope make a special Pro II hub in 135mm x 10mm with "screw-in bolts" which is much more secure than a regular Q/R and only needs an alley key to remove

pedropete

ESHER SHORE wrote:

Firmer springs for the Pikes (at 16 stone, I need it)

for your weight, you will need the extra-firm pike spring


the Pitch Pro is a great bike out of the box, and it ruins the excellent "value" to start replacing parts unless they have worn out or broken in crash, or just feel "wrong" like the handlebar?

the Pitch won't take a MAxle in the rear, the frame has to be designed to accept Maxle and the Pitch isn't

however, Hope make a special Pro II hub in 135mm x 10mm with "screw-in bolts" which is much more secure than a regular Q/R and only needs an alley key to remove

Good to know about the springs, thanks. Yes, contact points were swapped out due to personal preference. Shifters and brakes are a 'prefer to have' rather than a 'must have', but the X5s are pretty vague and the Juicy 3s just too on/off for me.

Suicide Bob

I was just about to go buy a Pitch Pro and now can't seem to find them anywhere, what's happened?

Any ideas on what else I could go for, Im thinking AM as Im a heavy weight at 6'6" tall and my current XC full suss take a hammering. The trails I ride are also very rocky, rooty and hard compacted chalk so it all takes its toll.

Bob