Expert advice needed for an over enthusiastic fettler!

davildo
davildo Posts: 162
edited August 2010 in MTB buying advice
Hi all.....again,

I've had a Rockhopper SL for a few months now and am loving getting back into riding after many years.
Been riding the North Downs, Bridleways round Kent and generally getting on the bike and off-road as much as possible. Loving it.

Gradually learning my way round my bike by adjusting, cleaning and generally learning how to fiddle with things.

Now to my question.

All components on the bike are running well but I'm aware of higher end components I could buy to upgrade my ride.

Basically my question is...

Where do I start?

Front / rear mech?
Shifters?
Fork?
Wheels?

Been looking into XTR bits such as shifters or RD but not convinced that these will really make that much more difference than XT or equivalent.

Also read that a decent wheel set could improve things amazingly.

Perhaps a Reba fork to upgrade my Dart3 ?

Basically, what are your thoughts, oh wise bikeradarians, on where to start in order to get noticable ride improvement, not just more noticed on the trail?

Cheers,

Dave.

Comments

  • ilovedirt
    ilovedirt Posts: 5,798
    New wheels and especially tyres are probably some of the first things you can do to improve weight and handling, the right tyres will improve the way your bike handles dramatically.

    Also, new forks will have the same effect, lighter and more controllable. Well worth investing in some decent forks.
    Production Privee Shan

    B'Twin Triban 5
  • Pudseyp
    Pudseyp Posts: 3,514
    A Reba would be a good choice or Tora Air, XTR would be overkill sorry and a huge expense, SLX or XT are great and will do a good job with slick shifting..wheels can be upgraded at a reasonable cost. Try Merlin for all of these, they are generally one of the cheapest suppliers with a fantastic service...CRC may also be worth a look with sale items
    Tomac Synper 140 Giant XTC Alliance 1
    If the world was flat, I wouldn't be riding !
  • popstar
    popstar Posts: 1,392
    Wheels , tyres, fork, and better brakes. One finger braking, transformed how do I ride these days. I am ex Rockhopper Expert SL owner btw, so kind of understand your enthusiasm. Slightly off topic, you could join us one day for a ride around in Surrey hills or elsewhere.
    What could have been (Video)

    I'll choose not put too much stake into someone's opinion who is admittingly terrible though
  • Stu 74
    Stu 74 Posts: 463
    Tyres, forks, wheels in that order.

    Stu

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