New to MTB and BikeRadar - Help and Fun

birch1983

Hi all,

I thought it best to post a brief intro as I am new here and also to the MTB scene.

Just prior to Christmas I bought my first hard-tail MTB. Yes a few of you may laugh, but through the reviews here I ended up purchasing a 2010 Carrera Vengeance Ultimate. The bike itself feels fantastic, but to be honest that wasn't down to the quality of workmanship from Halfords.

Anyway, after a few months of commuting and a few good rides down some off road tracks I've come to the point where I'm wanting to upgrade components and use the bike a lot more off-road. In a way this is a call for help as I wondered if anyone could maybe give advice on this particular bike and the upgrade route to take.

In addition I would also like to find people within my local area (Long Eaton, Nottingham) who are into their MTB's and regularly take them out. I would like to go on much more challenging rides accompanied by people with similar interests. As you can appreciate there is only so much you can ask the missus to do.

Thanks in advance!

Anthony

PS I can detail the bike spec if needed!

.blitz

Hi and welcome to the forum

Generally the most cost-effective upgrades tend to be tyres, wheels and fork (in that order) followed by replacing worn-out components with better items.

You may find some changes to the cockpit (bars/stem/seatpost) etc makes your bike more comfortable or changes the way it behaves uphill/downhill etc.

Try not to ask any questions about pedals, HT vs FS, lights, helmets...

You might find some riding buddies over in the rides section http://www.bikeradar.com/forum/viewforum.php?f=10014

birch1983

I have come across a few articles that have mentioned getting rid of the standard Kenda tyres. With me doing a fair bit of commuting on the bike too though I don't really want to swap for a full road tyre. I wonder if you have any experience or could recommend any tyres suitable that wouldn't cost a small fortune to change too.

In relation to the cockpit upgrades you have mentioned I have just bought a new set of FSA handlebars with intentions of getting a new stem too. I would like to lose some weight off the bike and thought this area as an easy place to start. I've looked at so many stems though I really don't know what is best. Once again can anyone offer help with this?

.blitz

Sorry I can't really recommend any hybrid tyres I have no experience of road riding but generally with tyres it's a case of cheap, fast or tough - choose any two.

A bar and stem will save a bit of weight but the most effective place to lose weight is the rear wheel assembly - specifically the wheel itself, the cassette and the tyre. The rear wheel assembly often comprises 15-20% of the bike's total weight.

birch1983

Thanks for the advice, however I'm a little reluctant to change the wheels just right now as they are still pretty much brand new and un-marked.

The tyres are more my concern as I would like some that are light-weight, preferably puncture proof, but able to give ample traction on both the road and dirt.

tsenior

its always a comprimise between speed and grip; no tyre is all things to all men.

on my commuter (about 50% on road, 50% easy off-road) i have specialised fast tracks, they're pretty cheap, grip well on hard surfaces and are fast rolling, specialized may do a more expensive puncture resistant version.

race kings are a more expensive alternative again fast with decent light off road ability.

neither much use in the mud or on wet rocks/roots.

apart from changes to ensure fit and comfort, (saddle/bars/stem/pedals) wait untill things break/wear out.

as blitz says wheels are the place to loose weight, fork is a tora? these are pretty good, you'd be spending alot to improve performance or drop weight for relatively little gain.

fearnsy

Hi I have this bike and have changed a few things, bars, grips, tyres, pedals and a qr seatclamp. -



If you have any questions, don't hesitate to ask

birch1983

Thanks for the reply tsenior. I'll have to do some reading as I still want the bike to be capable off-road. I would definitely need a puncture protected tyre. Obviously one that wouldn't wear too quick as it does get a fair bit of road use too.

Fearnsy, I do like the red. I'm going down the route of blue though. Replaced only a few little bits so far but have just spent a fair bit on lighting. Went for two Maglites with a 140 lumen led upgrade in each. Quite a good investment and sturdy too. I've just purchased a set of FSA handlebars and a muddy nutz front mudguard so hopefully they should arrive this week. Keep looking at white FSA stems with the carbon faceplates too but can't make my mind up yet. The wheel reflectors had to come off too. lol. Here's a pic of mine for you:



If anyone has any further advice on replacement tyres please let me know your opinions.

fearnsy

That is correct, no wheel reflectors and nice, getting some superstar pedals then?

Chunkers1980

fernsy - is this the same bike you're having hub issues with?

Tip: Tyre decals and rim decals/valve should be aligned.

fearnsy

Yeah I sorted it now chunkers, thanks for help

IDave

@fearnsy

Where did you order your white shouldered Schwalbes from and how much were they?

birch1983

@fearnsey

Could you provide me with a link for the pedals you have. I would also be interested in a link for the tyres too.

fearnsy

Yeah sorry guys I haven't been on this in a couple of days, here you go;
Tyres £46 for the pair 2.25, white stripe
http://www.on-one.co.uk/i/q/TYSCNICEVO/schwalbe-nobby-nic-evo-folding-tyre

Pedals £43, red
http://superstar.tibolts.co.uk/product_info.php?cPath=42&products_id=127

IDave

fearnsy wrote:

Yeah sorry guys I haven't been on this in a couple of days, here you go;
Tyres £46 for the pair 2.25, white stripe
http://www.on-one.co.uk/i/q/TYSCNICEVO/schwalbe-nobby-nic-evo-folding-tyre

Cheers for that, gonna get some for my Fury, great prices!

tenfoot

My brother runs a set of Schwalble Land Cruiser Tyres during the summer.

They are adequate for dryish tracks and the central bead is good for running on tarmac.

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/schwalbe-land-cruiser-mtb-tyre/

Good value as well.

birch1983

Had a quick look at those Schwalbe tyres but I noticed a few have mentioned they are quite a heavy tyre. Is this the case?

Mr OCD

errr... dude your front mud catcher is on the wrong way... :?

birch1983 wrote:

If anyone has any further advice on replacement tyres please let me know your opinions.

birch1983

:oops: That will be an epic fail on my part. Told you I was new to it all!

Well now I have it on the right way round I thought I would post another pic with a few more minor additions to the bike:

tenfoot

birch1983 wrote:

Had a quick look at those Schwalbe tyres but I noticed a few have mentioned they are quite a heavy tyre. Is this the case?

Morning - I have asked him but he never felt a difference in weight whilst riding, and never compared them with others when off the bike. He tells me that 5 of his colleagues run them, and they think the tyres are great too.

birch1983

Thanks for the response. I think for the price I'd be silly not to give them a go.

Problem is my shopping list for the bike keeps getting extended so until next month the current tyres will have to do. Just replaced the handlebar for a new FSA one that's a little narrower and weighs a lot less. New stem should arrive this evening so that should be on the bike for this weekend.

Someone should bring an app out for the iphone

fearnsy

I've got an FSA bar and the tyres are much much lighter than the current heavy ones :S

birch1983

I do like the look of your tyres. Next month the bike will see a nice new set I reckon.

Jack 123

Be careful when you get a off road tire if you get a soft compound and use it on the road alot you will destroy them. Also some good pedals would be nice get some good speed or flat pedals depending on your riding style. Perhaps some carbon bars and seat post for some bling. I would recommend and say the bust upgrade by far is a set of fulcrum red metal 5 or 10 wheels with light tubes and tires this will really wake up the bike. You will be surprised how much difference loosing a few lbs on the wheels will make plus the stiffer wheels will track better. I prefer fulcrums but others like mavic and dt swiss are good as well. You can get a set of the RM5 on ebay.de for such a good price. I see one set now for 140 euro I paid 250 for my set cant beat that.
http://shop.ebay.de/?_from=R40&_trksid= ... Categories
got the red metal 5 wheels on my bike and man it changed the bike so much it feels so much faster and direct it was the best upgrade ever.

Jack 123

I love the shopping list when it gets longer its like an addiction. You get one bling than you need another bling to match that bling next thing you know you dropped a grand on bling and your are looking for a new bike to put more bling on and the cycle continues on and on. LOL Well at least that is how it is for me

dazarooney

Some good advice given here, just what I was looking for as well.

Hardrock_Northants

fearnsy wrote:

Hi I have this bike and have changed a few things, bars, grips, tyres, pedals and a qr seatclamp. -



If you have any questions, don't hesitate to ask

May I ask whre you purchased your rear mud guard from?

Chris,

fearnsy

Yeah, halfords, bought a front and back for £20