Upgrading my bike.

Jakeelliot1

I own a Carrera Vulcan 09 from Halfords and feel like some of the components on the bike need upgrading. I was wondering if the frame is good enough to upgrade or is it not worth it? I was looking to upgrade the forks, brakes and wheelset.

I seem to be getting on well with the frame but I don't know whether or not the frame is of a good enough quality to warrant an upgrade.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

bwfc4eva868

I have a Vulcan! I upgraded the wheels, fitted disc brakes and fitted a Rockshox Tora fork. Its totally transformed the bike and its quality to ride now

Untill my ability matches the capability of the bike, i will be sticking with it for a while longer.

Its your bike, do what YOU want to do with it. First things first if its the V brake one change the wheels and put disc brakes on. And get rid of that Suntour fork, its crap.

The Northern Monkey

Whats your budget?!

Get those forks changed 1st though!

Jakeelliot1

well the bike cost me £225 half price so im not really looking to spend more that £125 for forks and maybe £60 each brake.

hope that helps, im retty new to the whole MTB scene :oops:

cooldad

Would say your budget is a bit low to upgrade much.
But it's also a bit of a vague way of looking at it. If the frame is good and you enjoy riding it, the actual original cost is immaterial, unless you are looking at recouping your cost if you sell. Which rarely happens.

101_North

For about £117 I'm not sure you'll get a much better deal than this for decent forks:

http://www.on-one.co.uk/i/q/FORSRETK/ro ... th-lockout

Formula K18 brakes for roughly £115:

http://store.formula-brake.com/items/offerta-3

Both of those bring you in round about budget and are very good upgrades

101

bails87

Don't look at how much the bike originally cost you, that's irrelevant. The frame is sound, and if you're happy with it then it's worth spending money on. Obviously you need to set a budget somewhere, but don't do it based on the original price of the bike.

Tora or Recon Forks, Mavic Crossride or Shimano MT15 wheels and Shimaon Deore level brakes would transfom the bike for £3-400. Maybe just do the forks first?

Jakeelliot1

i just wanted to know if the frame was of a good enough standard really, like it's not going to break at the welding in a few years time :L

cooldad

Doubt you'll break it.

The Rookie

If you keep the original bits, its irreklevant if the frame is good enough (in my opinion it is anyway) as you can refit the original parts when you come to upgrade and keep the better parts for whatever comes next or sell seperately.

I have a Vulcan frame on air forks and Juicy 5's, XT rear mech and LX front. Still on a square taper BB though (it won't die).

Simon

Jakeelliot1

thanks

what would be the first thing to upgrade? forks, brakes, wheels, tyres, handlebars, grips etc.

leaflite

Id say forks. Those suntours have a reputation for being horrible.

Jakeelliot1

I've done some research and am already feeling like I have a better knowledge

thanks everyone

nik_c

I got the Vulcan limited edition whihc they had a couple fo hears back (the one with Avid BB5 disk brakes and RockShox 1 [I believe]), and it is a very decent bike.

I am looking tentatively into upgrading to hydraulic brakes as I am a quite heavy guy and the bb5's are not doing too much for me without constant readjustment and pads changes (even though I am by no means the fastest or constantly braking kind of rider)

Oh, and I broke the saddle, but then again I did say I am a bit heavy ...

Nik C