Upgrading my '09' Rockhopper expert

jamesj84
jamesj84 Posts: 15
edited April 2012 in MTB general
I have owned my 2009 spesh rockhopper expert for 3 years now and think its time to upgrade some components and keep weight down.

Suggestions on a stem & handlebar. The current bars & stem are Specialized 3D forged, 4-bolt, 7 degree rise, 31.8mm clamp the bars Specialized butted alloy, 31.8mm, XC rise, 640mm wide, 8 degree back sweep, 8 degree up, 2.6mm thick.

My current fork is a RockShox Recon SLite, 100mm. Could i go for a 120mm fork? Also want this lighter.

My rims are DT-Swiss 445D. I want to upgrade this but keep the weight down. If not lighter & stronger.

Comments

  • supersonic
    supersonic Posts: 82,708
    I would weigh the parts first - these Recons were as light as 3.6lbs. As for length, Spesh say 100mm for some frames, 110 max for others, so I'd contact Spesh UK for advice.
    GT ZASKAR CARBON TEAM

    VOODOO CANZO

    Come and see me at https://www.facebook.com/biketyke/
  • jamesj84
    jamesj84 Posts: 15
    Well keeping it 100mm is no probs for me, i suppose id be messing with geometry otherwise. Forkwise will be my last thing i upgrade
  • jamesj84
    jamesj84 Posts: 15
    Anyone with any decent upgrade suggestions for me
  • The Spiderman
    The Spiderman Posts: 5,625
    If you stick with the forks the next biggest improvement will come from wheels.Some good deals on wheels around at the moment.Some to consider,would be Sun Ringle Blak flag £210 at CRC,Shimano XT £250 at Merlin,or Stans crest rims with Superstar Switch hubs for £220.All of those are around 1650-1700g so will be a decent saving on what you have.
    For a stem I recently bought a KCNC Fly ride for about £20 from Koo bikes.It weight 118g which is as light as you can get without spending silly money.For bars CRC have some great deals at the moment on Raceface bars.Raceface turbine are about 230g and £35 or Raceface Next SL for £62.
    Or there`s the Exotic /carbon cycles bars and stems.
    2006 Giant XTC
    2010 Giant Defy Advanced
    2016 Boardman Pro 29er
    2016 Pinnacle Lithium 4
    2017 Canondale Supersix Evo
  • supersonic
    supersonic Posts: 82,708
    jamesj84 wrote:
    Anyone with any decent upgrade suggestions for me

    When you've weighed those parts, I'll get back to you ;-)
    GT ZASKAR CARBON TEAM

    VOODOO CANZO

    Come and see me at https://www.facebook.com/biketyke/
  • jamesj84
    jamesj84 Posts: 15
    I dont have time to weigh my parts at the moment. I will over the next few weeks.

    Does anyone know the weights of the DT swiss 445d wheels.
  • The Spiderman
    The Spiderman Posts: 5,625
    This might help:
    http://forums.mtbr.com/specialized/dt-s ... 54815.html

    But the only real way to know is to take them off remove the q/r`s,rim strips and cassette and put them on the scales.

    IME it is pretty rare to find any bike at that price levl with wheel much below 2kg.
    2006 Giant XTC
    2010 Giant Defy Advanced
    2016 Boardman Pro 29er
    2016 Pinnacle Lithium 4
    2017 Canondale Supersix Evo

Categories