Cost Effective Upgrades

chorscroft
chorscroft Posts: 254
edited April 2009 in MTB buying advice
So I've got a Giant Boulder but it's an XS (14") and at 6 foot with long legs it's massively too small. However I'm determined to make some use for it, and my latest plan is to upgrade it slightly and use it as a BMX style bike for general messing about and to try and learn some cycling techniques such as bunny hopping.

So to get to the question what's the most cost effective way to upgrade it and to make it more suitable for it's new life. (I've included spec at bottom).

Cheers

Conor

Frame sizes 14"/17"/19"/21"
Frame AluxX 6061, new geometry repl. dropout
Rear shock No
Front fork SR Suntour SF-XC60 w/ adj. preload, 75mm travel
BB set Tien Hsin BB
Crank set Shimano FC
Chain KMC Z51
Pedals VP-992S steel blk cage
Head set Tien Hsin 1-1/8" threadless steel black
Handlebars Aricle YCA
Handlebar stem Hsin Lung TDS
Brakes Tektro V-brake
Hubs Formula
Rims Chuansin CH
Tyres Kenda
Derailleurs (front/rear) Shimano
Gear shifters Shimano EZ- fire 3x7 speed
Cassette Shimano freewheel
Saddle Cionlli
Seat post Hsing Lung SP
Extra No
Weight 14.7 kg
S.S.P. £219

Comments

  • ratty2k
    ratty2k Posts: 3,872
    About all I'd look at if you are planning on a play bike is to convert to single speed- plenty of kits about and should be around £20 or so... other than that nowt. Maybe put some street tyrs on it? DMR moto or similar?
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  • Whytepeak
    Whytepeak Posts: 2,616
    Would drop the saddle - not all the way, but about 2 inches,

    don't 'upgrade' it, replace stuff as it breaks (which it may), maybe get some decent v-brake pads - other than that its fine.
    Now that we are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak and not to please ourselves. ROMANS 15:1
  • chorscroft
    chorscroft Posts: 254
    I'm intrigued by your single speed idea and have a few questions.
    Do I need a chain tensioner for this or will it work without one?
    Can I use my current cassette and just remove all but one ring and fill the gaps with spacers?
    Is it possible to just remove the two outter chain rings on my chainset and are spacers needed?

    Also about the brakes.
    I just have standard tektro vbrakes - what are the best brake pads to use?

    Conor
  • Whytepeak
    Whytepeak Posts: 2,616
    Koolstop, aztec.....

    would recommeng these

    http://www.wiggle.co.uk/p/cycle/7/Kool_ ... 360019241/
    Now that we are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak and not to please ourselves. ROMANS 15:1
  • nicklouse
    nicklouse Posts: 50,675
    chorscroft
    have a look in the MTB FAQs

    you might or might not need a tensioner.
    "Do not follow where the path may lead, Go instead where there is no path, and Leave a Trail."
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  • captainfly
    captainfly Posts: 1,001
    A set of flat pedals with plenty of grip, short stem and high rise bars with sticky grips, kind of like a bmx really :wink:
    -_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_
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    Giant STP0

    Why are MTB economics; spend twice as much as you intended, but only half as much as you wish you could afford? :roll:
  • chorscroft
    chorscroft Posts: 254
    As to what pedals what would you suggest?
    Currently looking at DMR V8, Kona Jackshit and possibly one of the hundreds of wellgo pedals.

    Conor
  • salsarider79
    salsarider79 Posts: 828
    V8's are very good, as are the Kona's.

    Single speed wise, you shouldn't use cogs from a cassette (if you can even break apart your cassette) as cassette cogs have small ramps in them to help the chain move from one gear to another. The same will be true for the chainset. You may be lucky and be able to take off the rings, but on cheap sets, usually not. If thats the case, a new crank/s are in order.
    DMR do a kit for about £35 which has the single speed cogs and spacers for the rear wheel and a tensioner too.
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