Newbie saying Hello + questions ...

Sphinx

Hello All.

New to mountain biking and this is my first mountain bike. (sorry I am not technically minded about the parts so i will describe them the best I can) :oops:

I have an GT Aggressor XC2 model which I bought back in 2007. :P



* GT Triple Triangle lightweight butted frame
* Rock Shox Dart 2 fork with 100mm travel and rebound damping
* Powerful Tektro IO mechanical disc brakes
* Shimano Deore 27 speed gearing
* Truvativ Isoflow chainset with cartridge bearing bottom bracket
* Alex DP17 disc rims with Tioga Factory Extreme XC tyres

Only recently I have been taking to work and back (approx 8 mile round trip) and it has been fantastic.

I need your guys expertise on a question.

I would like to get some mudguads for it but I am not sure what to buy.

I did buy some SKS Commuter ones :




but they did not fit. The frane does not have any mudguard mounting holes (near the quick release for the wheels), and because I have cable disk brakes - there is no mounting hole at the top where a V-disk calipur would go.

Can anyone give me any adive on which ones to get? I really want the ones which cover the whole wheel like the SKS ones above as I have told they are the most effective? (is that true?) :?

2nd question :

How do raise the handbars stem? I loosened the surrounding bolts - raised it and retightened? Then my front shocks over all the place wobbling. Is there some sort of adapter I can buy?

Thanks in advance.

supersonic

Some can be got with wrap around frame brackets and clips. Best bet is to visit a local shop, and see what they have - they should be able to tell you if they fit.

Front one may be more problematic.

BorisSpencer

Your best bet is to make your own mounts with some p-clips, or for a less professional look cable ties.

Sphinx

BorisSpencer wrote:

Your best bet is to make your own mounts with some p-clips, or for a less professional look cable ties.

Do you have any pics of this?

Edit : Added 2nd question above.

supersonic

You have a threadless headset - and have undone the bearing adjustment!

Have a look on park tools on how to adjust it back (very important). You may not be able to raise it. The sytem works by the top cup pulling the stem down (and any spacers) onto the bearings, which is then secured with the stem bolts. Adjustment is done by rearing the spacers.

The total height of spacers and stem has to overlap the top of the fork steerer by 3-6mm. No overlap = no possible adjustment, too much is dangerous. You have done the latter it seems.

Sphinx

Thats a good website park tools - thanks for that.

TBH - once I noticed the wobbling on the stem - I put it all back to how it should so i could ride it to work.

On an unrelated matter - there seems to be some sort rattling coming from the rear of the bike - i am guessing near the rear derailer.

Any clues what this might be? Nothing seems loose. I haven't touched anything near there.

they only thing I have messed about with is the L & H screws on the front derailer.

supersonic

One of maybe a dozen things lol. Park Tools has a guide on noise diagnosing, which I think is also in the FAQ here.

llamafarmer

Sphinx wrote:

On an unrelated matter - there seems to be some sort rattling coming from the rear of the bike - i am guessing near the rear derailer.

Any clues what this might be? Nothing seems loose. I haven't touched anything near there

When do you hear the rattle?

Sphinx

When I am cycling along and go over bumps - even small ones. ...

flat straights seems to be ok.

Dont have any rear sus on my bike...

The only other thing I did is spray the rear cassette with WD40 a few days ago.

fred2003

Please for the sake of any greased part on your bike loose the WD40 and replace with some GT85.

WD40 will make the grease practically disappear by thinning it down and then evaporate from the area sprayed, where as the GT85 will leave a nice teflon coating behind keeping things running smooth.

supersonic

GT85 will do the same - there are a lot of solvents in it. Greased parts should be regreased, oiled parts reoiled.

fred2003

Yeah but c'mon a little teflon coating is better than air, or have i missed something

Sphinx

Just to give you all update.

Went to evans cycle today and purchased the following :

Front and rear mudguards :

Topeak Defender M1 Front Mudguard



Topeak Defender M2 Rear Mudguard





Also asked the chap about cleaning the cassette and chain etc...

Bought :

White Lightning Clean Streak 12oz Aerosol




and also some Finish Line Wet Lubricant



Do you think I will need anything else?

supersonic

Water, a brush, and elbow grease ;-)