In order, What are the 5 best upgrades I can do to my bike

cooldad

j4mi3 wrote:

cooldad wrote:

Why does everything come down to wider bars? Bigger rotors?
There are optimum sizes for people, bikes etc. Going bigger isn't better.

I wasn't necesarilly going bigger, just more sturdy/reliable than the standard mongoose ones.

I was posting in reply to people who just post random bigger is better, or I've never tried but I've heard kind of garbage.

j4mi3

cooldad wrote:

j4mi3 wrote:

cooldad wrote:

Why does everything come down to wider bars? Bigger rotors?
There are optimum sizes for people, bikes etc. Going bigger isn't better.

I wasn't necesarilly going bigger, just more sturdy/reliable than the standard mongoose ones.

I was posting in reply to people who just post random bigger is better, or I've never tried but I've heard kind of garbage.

oh right ok

Darkstalker420

:roll:. Just offering advice. Didn't put a gun to his head........ Damn thought my bars were to narrow anyway LMAO! .

Thanks.

felix.london

In what way will a bigger front disc rotor and wider bars save weight and/or improve climbing? :?

supersonic

j4mi3 wrote:

cooldad wrote:

Why does everything come down to wider bars? Bigger rotors?
There are optimum sizes for people, bikes etc. Going bigger isn't better.

I wasn't necesarilly going bigger, just more sturdy/reliable than the standard mongoose ones.

I will post the ones I am considering

it was between the nukeproof warhead stem/riser combo

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Mode ... elID=80332
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Mode ... elID=55480

or

the raceface evolve xc stem/riser

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Mode ... elID=41179
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Mode ... elID=57003

the nukeproof is slightly more expensive, and the stem seems much shorter..

for the pedals I was going with these nanotech here. I like the flat pedals and these seem to have great reviews

http://superstar.tibolts.co.uk/product_ ... cts_id=127

tyres: kenda small block 8 26x2.10 folding

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Mode ... tedKingdom

for the brakes

(wait for it)

elixir 7 2013 models

I believe brakes are very important so I didn't want to skimp on these, and I am aware they amount to just under half the price of the bike, but I don't see the point in going for mediocre brakes. May as well go big or go home.

what are your thoughts on these upgrades?

Bar the tyres (and possibly pedals), none of these are what I consider upgrades - what are you trying to achieve? The weight difference will be marginal, the brakes won't be any more powerful nor none of the parts more 'sturdy' or reliable. These are pointless, expensive changes.

j4mi3

Sorry guys I can see you must be thinking 'what is he doing?!'

well thanks to your input I have decided it would be stupid trying to save much, if any weight on this bike as I won't come close to the weight saved if I buy a new one

truth is, I have gotten used to this bike and I kind of like it. I can deal with the fact it is rather heavy until I buy a brand new one, but I don't know for sure when that will be

Therefore, I have kind of changed my mind. Instead of going for weight saving, I really just want to buy 'better' components for it and upgrade it that way. The tektro brakes on there atm I don't like they don't offer much power and I just don't like the feel of them.

they also seem to work great one minute, and then be awful the next. also they suck badly when they are wet.

@supersonic I am pretty sure the brakes will be better... why wouldn't they? If they were not better then £1000+ bikes would come equipped with tektro aurigas and not elixirs


as for the stem and the bar, this article led me to believe it was the right thing to do

http://www.bikeradar.com/blog/article/t ... one-30297/

felix.london wrote:

In what way will a bigger front disc rotor and wider bars save weight and/or improve climbing? :?

i can udnerstand your confusion

they won't. I kind of gave up on that idea when I realised it was the heavy frame primarily causing the climbing issue.

YeehaaMcgee

Ohfortheloveof..
The bike will be a minor part of your climbing ability.
What the fark are you on about when you say the bar and stem will "last longer" than the current ones?

You really aren't making a great deal of sense.

supersonic

The Elixirs are ok, but are better for the money - the number 7 version does not offer much over 3 version, and the Auriga is a good budget brake. Spending all that on the 7 is a waste in my eyes (in the context of your bike).

The bars and will simply not last longer, the ones you have are tough, if slightly weighty budget options. I'd save your money here.

If you must have new brakes consider the Shimano Deore or SLX. The Kendas are a good summer tyre, but bad in the wet - consider Continental MK2 Black Chilli as a good upgrade.

http://www.parker-international.co.uk/1 ... iper-.html

http://www.bike-discount.de/shop/a42257 ... html?lg=en

Then consider new wheels.

j4mi3

YeehaaMcgee wrote:

Ohfortheloveof..
The bike will be a minor part of your climbing ability.
What the fark are you on about when you say the bar and stem will "last longer" than the current ones?

You really aren't making a great deal of sense.

I am probably not. my bad.

Just to clarify, I do know that the person plays the biggest role in climbing!

j4mi3

supersonic wrote:

The Elixirs are ok, but are better for the money - the number 7 version does not offer much over 3 version, and the Auriga is a good budget brake. Spending all that on the 7 is a waste in my eyes (in the context of your bike).

The bars and will simply not last longer, the ones you have are tough, if slightly weighty budget options. I'd save your money here.

If you must have new brakes consider the Shimano Deore or SLX. The Kendas are a good summer tyre, but bad in the wet - consider Continental MK2 Black Chilli as a good upgrade.

http://www.parker-international.co.uk/1 ... iper-.html

http://www.bike-discount.de/shop/a42257 ... html?lg=en

Then consider new wheels.

thanks for your suggestions supersonic.. I realise I thought some things out incorrectly now

supersonic

All about looking at your budget, goals, and maximising what you can do. The worst thing you can do is swap stuff for similar, or only slightly better stuff. Make it count ;-)

The fork you have is a good choice though.

j4mi3

supersonic wrote:

All about looking at your budget, goals, and maximising what you can do. The worst thing you can do is swap stuff for similar, or only slightly better stuff. Make it count ;-)

The fork you have is a good choice though.

Thanks very much yeah the bike shop even commented on how much it improved the handling. It has made a world of difference.

just looked at the bikes in your sig for the first time, really digging the zaskar

supersonic

Custom built - and not as expensive as it seems (bar the frame!).

twonks

I've had my fair share of issues and problems with bikes (as a few people in this thread will remember 8) ), however in j4mi3s' case I would maybe look to upgrade the brakes and forks (as said already)

Anything more than that is a waste of money.

As long as the bike fits, works and rides ok, the only things that will make a big difference are those above.
By replacing bars / stem / wheels etc etc you'll not make a significant difference to the ride and feel of a budget bike, but stopping power and brake modulation will improve it.

Tyres are a consumable in biking so of course replace those, but beyond brakes and forks there is no reason at all to replace anything else unless it breaks.

It sounds more like you have just got the urge to treat your self to a new toy. Nothing wrong with that and you don't have to justify it to anybody - but spending the money on your existing bike is not worth it.

Donatello

I'm an absolute rookie so have no opinion that matters (still trying to decide on a bike!) would be noticed!

supersonic wrote:

For example:
http://www.radon-bikes.de/xist4c/web/ZR ... 20526_.htm

This is far and away better than anything you could do.

Are these available in the UK? They look brilliant!