Upgrading Wheels/Brakes/Mech

Greer_

I may have decided to replace a few parts rather than save up for a new bike as I'd like a better bike quicker ... yano being a student and all! I've decided I have about £300 to spend - the current spec of my bike is:


• Weight: 12.9kg

• Frame: 7005 Aluminium Carrera Kraken
• Forks: RockShox Recon Gold TK Solo Air^ (1805g)

• Front Brake: Tektro Auriga Comp (310g)
• Rear Brake: Tektro Auriga Comp (330g)
• Rotors: Standard 160mm
• Brake Hose: Standard

• Grips: Superstar Supagripa Patriot ^ (108g)
• Handle Bars: Raceface Evolve XC Riser Bar 660mm^ (260g)
• Stem: Kore Elite K34 100mm 31.8mm 4deg^ (134g)
• Headset: Superstar Integrato (Zero Stack)^ (108g)
• Headset Spacers: Nukeproof Turbine^ (9g)

• Gear Shifters: SRAM X5 Speed Triggers (260g x2)
• Chain: KMC X9-73 (298g)
• Cassette: SRAM PG950 (230g)
• Chainset: Shimano Deore M590 44-32-22^ (858g)
• Bottom Bracket: Shimano Deore Hollowtech ii^ (95g)
• Pedals: Shimano M520^ (374g)
• Front Mech: SRAM X5 (179g)
• Rear Mech: SRAM X5^ (299g)
• Gear Cables: Standard

• Rims: DDM Disc Specific White 09
• Hubs: Formula Alloy Black
• Tyres: Schwalbe Nobby Nic/Racing Ralph (536g)
• QR Skewers: Shimano Deore M510^ (168g)

• Saddle: Charge Spoon^ (258g)
• Seat post: Kalloy Alloy 31.6mm
• Seat Clamp: Da Bomb Bomb Clamp^ (22g)
• Bottle Cage: Brand-X Bottle Cage Alloy^ (72g)

I'm going to get into racing in the new year as well. I'm thinking of starting off with getting Superstar Crests, then new brakes as the tektros just don't seem to stop me quickly enough and a new rear mech as my current one is bent but still works.

Any recommendations for brakes (Shimano Deores?) and a rear mech on a budget? The 9 spd shifter it works with can be either sram X5 or Shimano deore (also have a shimano deore shadow mech on another bike if you think I should just swap it over?) And any other weight saving tips?

mrmonkfinger

how much of a budget? are you looking at second hand kit?

The Shimano deore shadow mech is not the lightest but I was quite impressed with mine, solid operation and gear changes. Compared to the XT shadow its near 50% heavier but feels the same in use. The Deore won't save much weight at all over the X5, almost the same weight.

Greer_

About £100 after the wheels and would prefer new for the things like brakes.

Thinking either shimano deore shadow (that I have) or SLX http://www.bike-discount.de/shop/k421/a ... tails.html? or SRAM X7 http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Mode ... elID=41155 mechs wont save much weight but I'd like one that's straight! Its really more a SRAM vs Shimano and I'm swinging towards X5 because I like the shifter more!

Also found the Shimano Deore M596's for £70ish.

Greer_

New QR skewers could be needed too, as the Shimano ones are veryyy heavy!

I'm pretty much just worried about spending more money on a cheapish bike so I need someone to tell me its okay to keep upgrading it for the moment!

cooldad

Greer_ wrote:

New QR skewers could be needed too, as the Shimano ones are veryyy heavy!

I'm pretty much just worried about spending more money on a cheapish bike so I need someone to tell me its okay to keep upgrading it for the moment!

Stupid upgrade - Shimano ones are the best. Most lightweight ones are rubbish.

supersonic

I'd keep what you have, nothing sounds like upgrades so far, just different. (except the wheels)

70\ʹspenguin

£300
£200 Superstar Crest Wheelset
£65'ish Deore Brakeset

Leaves you £35.

The first thing that strikes me are the weight of your bars and grips. For £35 second hand i reckon you could replace both and lose around 200g easily if you are patient and keep an eye on the SH forums.

The new wheels will make a big difference and be something you will actually "feel". Swap your mech and dont worry about the weight.

Personally i would spend the £35 on something that really needs changing. If you like your bars and grips, keep them and change something that bugs you or doesnt work quite right.

Free weight loss would be to go 2x9/10 or even 1x9/10.

Greer_

Just managed to find the last pair of Shimano Deore M596's on bike-discount so I had to order them! I wanted to replace the brakes and mech as I do have problems with them. At least with the likes of wheels, if you buy a good set they can be transferred from bike to bike! I don't plan on going 29" anytime soon!

Greer_

supersonic wrote:

I'd keep what you have, nothing sounds like upgrades so far, just different. (except the wheels)

The wheels will drop a good bit of weight, but my rear mech is bent - I just haven't bothered replacing it yet, and the tektro brakes were great to start of with, but no amount of fiddling, replacing fluid, changing pads etc could improve them once the power started to fade.

Does anyone have an easy to follow guide for swapping brake levers around?

cooldad

Cut the old hoses, insert spiky thing and olive, tighten up.
Get a bleed kit, chances are (99%) you'll need one.

Greer_

Cheers CD, hoping i'll get spares with the brakes but not sure. Thanks for the help all!

Will crests be a better bet over flows? From what I've read they should be strong enough for what I do - general XC and then the odd jump and drop off into a transition, is that right?

paulneenan76

Greer_ wrote:

Cheers CD, hoping i'll get spares with the brakes but not sure. Thanks for the help all!

Will crests be a better bet over flows? From what I've read they should be strong enough for what I do - general XC and then the odd jump and drop off into a transition, is that right?

You can't go wrong with Deore brakes but they will be opposite pull to a uk specific set up so factor swapping them over (caught my frriend out recently right OTB). Replace your rear derailleur ASAP if its bent - check the hanger as that might be bent too (get a spare from Halfords you'll need one eventually). Either of the superstar wheelsets will be a noticeable step up from your current set (did when I changed mine). Wouldn't worry about chainset as the gains are minimal - unless it's worn out. Or lose a ring or two

Nothing wrong with shimano skewers. But if you're getting a superstar wheelset, get a superstar skewer set which matches colour etc. otherwise just use your current shimano set.

You could look at it another way and save weight by taking your budget and blowing it on a lighter XC carbon frame like On Ones XC Whippet carbon. It's bound to be at a sale price soon. Only a different suggestion though.

Oh and checkout the thread by "thebeginner" as he shaved masses of weight from his Kraken on a budget.

Greer_

Cheers for that! Yep I just plan on swapping the levers so that's fine. Regards to the frame, I plan on swapping to a whippet at some point but I think the other things are needed more at the moment (wheels are out of true due to a recent OTB moment so i'll save myself the money of sending them to be fixed). THe chainset is fine - already swapped to a Hw11 to lose a bit of weight when the old one worn out. I just want the skewers as I'll save over 100g, I've never had problems with skewers loosening before.

70\ʹspenguin

Greer_ wrote:

Cheers for that! Yep I just plan on swapping the levers so that's fine. Regards to the frame, I plan on swapping to a whippet at some point but I think the other things are needed more at the moment (wheels are out of true due to a recent OTB moment so i'll save myself the money of sending them to be fixed). THe chainset is fine - already swapped to a Hw11 to lose a bit of weight when the old one worn out. I just want the skewers as I'll save over 100g, I've never had problems with skewers loosening before.

Skewers should really be one of the last things you change! Of course its up to you, but if you want to improve your bike then change the parts that will make a difference rather than changing the finishing kit. Its called finishing for a reason

DodgeT

Re swapping the brake levers, if the hose lengths are ok, just pull the rubber sleeve off the lever end, unscrew nut. Pull hose out. Do this on both and reassemble hoses. If your careful you won't need a bleed too. This worked fine on 2 pair of slx's for me.
If you do need to bleed, epic bleed do the kit for about a fiver.

cooldad

Standard rear is too long for a Spesh Enduro, so it's be too long for a Kraken. Only reason the front fitted is big forks, so that might need a trim as well.

Greer_

DodgeT wrote:

Re swapping the brake levers, if the hose lengths are ok, just pull the rubber sleeve off the lever end, unscrew nut. Pull hose out. Do this on both and reassemble hoses. If your careful you won't need a bleed too. This worked fine on 2 pair of slx's for me.
If you do need to bleed, epic bleed do the kit for about a fiver.

Thanks for that, I've looked at his bleed kits before but I'd forgotten about them!

The Rookie

DDM wheels are about 2.1Kg a set, so not horridly heavy, but 270g to be saved if merlin have any of their M495/equalizers left.

Keep an eye out for local bargains, this time last year the lad picked himself up an SDG Fli Ti saddle for £3.20 off fleabay!

Shimano Skewers are well worth keeping.

Some good used shifters and Mechs will save some weight and improve shifting as well, X9 shifters are about 135g each for example.

Greer_

Would it be worthwhile buying the likes of this http://www.merlincycles.com/bike-shop/w ... -pair.html and getting the LBS to build some wheels up? I would like to go with stans rims for the option to run tubeless. But not sure about choice of hubs - all I really know about them is SS use sealed bearings and shimano use cup and cone. Same goes for spokes. No idea if you could get them built for the same price as the SS deal though!

I never actually thought of ebay for some reason, so I'll keep an eye out, thanks!

Greer_

Okay so i put in a bid on an X9 rear mech not realising it was a medium cage. :roll: Does a 44/32 ratio up front seem silly? As I very very very rarely would use my granny ring. Its paired with an (I think) 11-34 cassette. All I'd need to do to fix it would be shorten the chain, and change the mech stops.

(Also managed to source some X7 shifters very cheaply! And I managed to get the right ratio for them - 3x9)

70\ʹspenguin

Greer_ wrote:

Okay so i put in a bid on an X9 rear mech not realising it was a medium cage. :roll: Does a 44/32 ratio up front seem silly? As I very very very rarely would use my granny ring. Its paired with an (I think) 11-34 cassette. All I'd need to do to fix it would be shorten the chain, and change the mech stops.

(Also managed to source some X7 shifters very cheaply! And I managed to get the right ratio for them - 3x9)

Depends how often you use the 44t ring really.

Greer_

I use the 44t ring a fair bit - roads, paths on the way to trails, and then even the big hills along my route I can spin up easily enough in the 32t ring.

Silly me - put in a bid earlier on something else that didn't fit, but luckily someone else outbid me ... I really need to waken up! :?

70\ʹspenguin

Then if you use it a lot its not silly and the 32 should be fine with 34 at the back.

If you have Sram shifters then just keep an eye out for an X9 mech and dont rush into something. They are popping up all the time either on here or STW. If you havent bought the shifters yet then i would recommend the XO grip shifts on sale on Bike-discount.de. Stupidly cheap and i find them just amazing. Super lightweight too.

Why dont you put a WTD ad on here and STW for a good condition X9 mech at the budget you want. You'll probably have one before Christmas.

Greer_

Never been a fan of grip shifts but thanks for the advice! I've just never understood gear ratios There are a fair few X9 mechs on the bay at the moment so I shall see what happens! Cheers!

70\ʹspenguin

Greer_ wrote:

Never been a fan of grip shifts but thanks for the advice! I've just never understood gear ratios There are a fair few X9 mechs on the bay at the moment so I shall see what happens! Cheers!

You are far safer putting up a wanted than going on ebay. At least on the forums (providing you arent a naive idiot) you can check peoples record and make sure they are legit. Still i can see you are eager.

Just wondering if you have ever tried a high end grip shift before? I used to be of the opinion that grip shifts were just for cheap bikes and were rubbish. I have been stunned by the performance of the XO. However, many dont like the feel of them.

Greer_

70\'sPenguin wrote:

You are far safer putting up a wanted than going on ebay. At least on the forums (providing you arent a naive idiot) you can check peoples record and make sure they are legit. Still i can see you are eager.

Just wondering if you have ever tried a high end grip shift before? I used to be of the opinion that grip shifts were just for cheap bikes and were rubbish. I have been stunned by the performance of the XO. However, many dont like the feel of them.

That's what paypal is for! I feel safer buying off ebay than here, but it's just me. Its mostly paypal gift here, or you cover the fees.

Nope I haven't tbh, only on cheap bikes when I was younger. I just prefer triggers to twists but to each their own

mrmonkfinger

Greer_ wrote:

Its mostly paypal gift here, or you cover the fees.

So cover the fees?

mrmonkfinger

So brakes are sorted.

Wheels, someone has already mentioned them - the superstars crest deal is hard not to recommend.

The Rookie

Why not go something like 36/26?

Having 32 as the smallest though should be an issue as it's the size most 1x9 pedalers use (and what I'll be using).

What hubs would you be palnning on using with those rims, £80 for the rim, £35 each end at least for spokes and build plus hubs.....I'd personally use Shimano hubs (despite the fact they are 'old fashioned' cup and cone) Deore level or better, so looking at circa £40 a pair if you shop around.

Greer_

Update: X7 shifters and an X9 rear mech long cage won for £36 in total so there's no need to go 2x9

Also ordered Crests on Switch hubs last night, and today has been spent trying to get postage sorted - I was sent an additional paypal invoice for £6 after I paid for the wheels as the website gave me free postage. I was on a bit of a budget so decided against getting some wheels built up (thanks anyway TheBeginner)

So I'll get a few new cables ordered and that will be it sorted. Will give me something to do over christmas!

- SP41 outers but does anyone have recommendations for inners or the tongue shield thingys? (already have loads of the plastic ferrules)

Thanks

cooldad

Inners - any stainless steel. I use Shimano. You can buy the tongue thingys from CRC (or anywhere else I guess.)