Upgrades

dry664

I'm looking to start upgrading my Whyte 801 in order to generate and sustain and a bit more speed (XC and single track). I've spoken to a couple of shops, one suggests that I should look to upgrade the forks first and another the wheelset. Here's the 801 spec:
http://www.whytebikes.com/2012/bike_pag ... W-1-023-12

I'm pretty much a noob and dont want to be taken for a ride (excuse the pun) by local shops. Im looking for suggestions and ideas how much to spend to SIGNIFICANTLY improve my riding experience. Thanks.

supersonic

How long have you had the bike?

The forks and wheels are the palces to start, and fork first. The XC28 is pretty poor to be honest, and a RockShox Reba would make a significant difference - ligther (by nearly 2lbs), more controlled and more adjustable.

dry664

I've only had the bike since September. Got it just for fitness but have really caught the bug.

Which Reba are you suggesting? Bloke from my bike shop was suggested a Rockshox Revelation XX but I thought I might look for a second opinion since he only just managed to get me to spend £700 on the bike a few months earlier!
Assuming a £300 upgrade, wouldnt I see more benefit from spending that on a wheelset? Thx

The Rookie

Lighter tubes and tyres will also give you a big benefit, you have to accelerate wheels/tyres ROUND as well as ALONG, and the tube/tyre is right at the outer edge of that package, the Conti isn't bad but decent lighter weight folding tyres (and get the grip level you 'just about' need to reduce drag), for tubes I use Schwalbe 26" x 1.0-1.5" tyres inside my 2.1" (many I know do similar) these will typically save you 75-100g each end for a measely £3.75 (ish) right were it matters most. Using slime of course is a no-no!

Simon

supersonic

Bloke in the bike shop doesn't sound like he has a clue.

Have a look at the Reba RLT, can be had for less than £300, and spend the change on lighter tyres. Teh fork will make more difference to start.

But 3 months old?! By the time you have put new wheels on it, then maybe upgraded the rest, might as well have sold up and got a better bike ;-)

.blitz

dry664 wrote:

Bloke from my bike shop was suggested a Rockshox Revelation XX

lbs quote #715

They will also try to sell you an entire drivetrain c/w shifters & cranks when your chain is worn.

The Rookie

IF your going to change the fork, the sooner the better to maximise what you'll get back for your old one!

Simon

dry664

This is great info all. Thanks

dry664

supersonic wrote:

But 3 months old?! By the time you have put new wheels on it, then maybe upgraded the rest, might as well have sold up and got a better bike ;-)

Please dont! Most of my mates said I was an idiot spending £700 on a bike and that I wouldnt use it.
I think if I had to do it again I would spend more money. Part of the reason I got the Whyte over say a Boardman/Decathlon etc was because I felt I was paying for the frame quality over the groupset meaning its a better base for upgrading.

Think I'm going to upgrade the tyres, tubes and forks.

Are Rockshox the only forks worth looking at for around £300? And what 'spec' do I need to look for to make sure the forks are compatible? Thx

supersonic

For £700 is a decent bike, ignore your mates! Only upgrade if YOU want to, not them ;-)

For £300 there is nothing else worth looking at, the Rebas are simply the best. You need a standard 1 1/8th inch (28.6mm) threadless steerer tube. Then you cut it to size.

dry664

supersonic wrote:

For £300 there is nothing else worth looking at, the Rebas are simply the best. You need a standard 1 1/8th inch (28.6mm) threadless steerer tube. Then you cut it to size.

These?
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/RockShox-Reba ... 415ef3eb46

supersonic

This is a better bet:

http://www.on-one.co.uk/i/q/FORSREBRLT2 ... st___1_1_8

The 2011 model is slightly heavier, but the RLT (T for threshold) adds more adjustability. 120mm will work well with your frame, but the beauty is you can insert a spacer to drop them to 100mm anyway. You need 9mm qucik release too.

benpinnick

Supersonic is suspected to be on commission from RockShox, but also happens to be right. In your case I'd blow the £280 for the rebas all day long. Id also slap some sub 500g Kevlar bead softer compound tyres on it in a heart beat too. Those two things alone will totally change the ride.

dry664

benpinnick wrote:

Supersonic is suspected to be on commission from RockShox, but also happens to be right. In your case I'd blow the £280 for the rebas all day long. Id also slap some sub 500g Kevlar bead softer compound tyres on it in a heart beat too. Those two things alone will totally change the ride.

I love you guys :oops: Looks like the missus wont be getting that necklace for Xmas after all! Any recommendations on a specific tyre?

benpinnick

Hmm, tyres. Very personal preference that one. Also depends on where you ride and the general conditions there. Probably worth a look at Schwalbes on on-one as theyre always punting them at a good price. My personal choice would be Conti Mountain King IIs for all round riding, but they really are over priced. The x-kings you have are quite good, just the version you have is the cheap and heavy OEM one. If you are getting on with them then maybe keep them a while longer and replace with a similar but lighter version later.

Maxxis Advantages are good, and in a line up with lots of other good Maxxis tyres. Bontrager and Specialized do some really good value lighter tyres in softer compounds too. The captain is worth a look, as are many Bonty tyres.

The Rookie

Recommending a tyre is impossible without knowing where you ride, if you ride in 'dirty' conditions or stay warm, also how you like a bike to feel (clean and fast and accept some slip slide, or nailed)...

I like panaracer Fire XC pro, 2.1 or drop to a 1.8 at the back when it's muddier, when really muddy I go to a Fire Mud on the back. In summer I use Michelin dry mountain2 as they are really quick rolling.

Simon

Anonymous

dry664 wrote:

Im looking for suggestions and ideas how much to spend to SIGNIFICANTLY improve my riding experience. Thanks.

A skills course is an upgrade worth far more than upgrades on the bike. Failing that just riding more and getting experience and fitness (fitness improves speed more than bike upgrades also). Upgrade the bike when it's clearly holding you back.

dry664

I've decided Im going to go for the Reba RLT, the clincher was last night when I found somone to take the XC28's off my hands
Also going for tyres and tubes. Riding will be mainly over at Swinley so Fire Roads, single track etc. I'm starting to get comfortable with the back end stepping out a bit on wet rooks etc with the X-Kings. I like the look of the Panaracers or some light Conti's but any other specific suggestions would be more than welcome.
Also tubes - seems difficult to get info on weights and there seems to be a big tradeoff between weight and durability. Bearing in mind that im not going off 10foot drops (yet ) does anyone have any specific suggestions on something that is very light but reasonablly durable?

@deadkenny - Come March when it dries up a bit Im going to get some lessons!

Thanks all for your patience with me :oops:

njee20

On forks I'd look at the SIDs on On One too, as that's a bargain!

cooldad

Take a look in London calling in 'Rides'. Bunch of us ride there regularly.

dry664

njee20 wrote:

On forks I'd look at the SIDs on On One too, as that's a bargain!

SID's look good too.

I'm 6' 4" and 13.5 st...... 2011 Reba RLT's or SID RLT's???

supersonic

The Reba is a little stiffer... the SID is lighter but not quite as hard riding.

Tough one to call.