Advice on a new hardtail mb

EricPilot

Hi, my first post here. I purchased a Giant Revel 2 last year, ok starter bike but need disc breaks and possibly a 29r. Any advice on a which ht mb i should consider would be appreciated.

Long_Time_Lurker

Welcome to the forum.
You have left a million-and-one questions unanswred there.
Have a quick read through the 'what bike' sticky at the top of this thread first.
We also need to know your budget and where you ride (terrain - is it local woods, thick mud, trail centers, tarmac, mixture of both).

As for the 29er debate - it depends. Ulitmately it comes down to one thing; 'does the bike feels right when you ride it'? Don't get hung up on the wheel size.

The Rookie

29er will cost you more for the same spec, so unless your budget is in excess of circa £800 stick to 26er.

If the Revel is in good condition I'd be temepted to fit some decent disc wheels (merlin Equalisers) and disc brakes (shimano non-series or Deore) and forks, using new wheels and brakes and used forks you could do that for circa £180 and have your old stuff to sell (circa £70).

EricPilot

Hi, sorry forgot to put my budget, did first post on my mobile. £600 is my budget, the Revel2 i bought is a 2012 model. I live in South Wales and ride at Afan Park, normally do the Red and Black forest trails, to be fair the Revel does handle very well. The frame is good, should I upgrade the parts or buy a better bike?

The Rookie

I'd be tempted to just upgrade the revel, it's worth about £150, so a £600 bike will see you out £450, whereas upgrading it will cost a lot less.

New though, Rockrider 8.1 from Decathlon, no brainer at that budget really.

thebigscientist

Get a second hand 456. Sorted

EricPilot

Ok, upgrade does sound cheaper and stick with 26. My Revel is in perfect nick considering Its had a bashing. I'm bit out the loop on components, what wheels, shocks, discs should I get? Also can i keep the shifters i have? Was looking at Rockshox XC28 maybe, Mavic Crossride UB wheelset for £148 on Tredz (just down the road for me).

chrisw333

At £600 your just about in Boardman comp territory (depending on current offers) and for the riding you do I think that would be a great bike.

The Rookie

Merlincycles for wheels
http://www.merlincycles.com/bike-shop/w ... le-26.html
or better for a little more money (and needs centrelock discs which are a little dearer
http://www.merlincycles.com/bike-shop/w ... lizer.html - these are better than crossrides.

Brakes
http://www.merlincycles.com/bike-shop/m ... r-set.html you may be able to find a little cheaper for deore, a bit cheaper for non series such as http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/shim ... -prod87334 but you'd need to swap hoses and make sure the rear is long enough!

Forks, not an XC, Recon as a minimum, you can get a gold used on ebay for circa £80-90, or a silver for a bit less, I rate the older manitous (we have 2 in the family, both 2006/7 and both cost mid £50's).

EricPilot

Thanks for the info TheRookie. With the Rockshox Forks will i need a new headset? Also with the current shifters (Shimano V Brakes) it doesn't appear that I can I keep them if i get the Shimano Deore brakes, will I also need to get different shifters too? Sorry for the daft questions but still getting to grips with the different components etc. Much appreciated for the help.

The Rookie

If you have integrated shifter/brake levers then yes, you will need new shifters.

No you won't need a new headset.

EricPilot

Ok, cheers. Dropped into Tredz today, they guy said I'd be better off buying a new bike, he was pushing the Specialzed Rockhopper 29r 2013 (£540) which does seem like a good bike but the frame seems heavy compared to my Giant. He said I can upgrade my current bike with the parts I want, but was still pushing the Specialized. He said it can be abit risky if I upgrade the parts myself (which I know I can do) as i'm doing Red trails etc, if i get the setup wrong with the new parts?

cooldad

He's an idiot. It's a bicycle, and most people swap bits regularly without killing themselves on red runs, or any other runs.
This is better if you want a 29er, and a few hundred cheaper.
http://www.decathlon.co.uk/rockrider-bi ... ctFeatures

This is much better for the same price buty not 29er.
http://www.decathlon.co.uk/rockrider-81 ... ctFeatures

hoathy

I'd defo go for the upgrade. Nothing wrong with the Giant frame. It is important to know what you're doing when you're changing bits on the bike though, setting things up properly is important for safety.

If you are going to go for an upgrade look for the best frame you can get for your cash, if you're going to get more into this you'll more than likely be wanting to upgrade the new bike soon! The Rockriders look fine, and the spec is good for the money, but personally my money would be elsewhere as I think they are a little soul-less.

cooldad

For soul you could just play a bit of Aretha Franklin while you ride.

EricPilot

cooldad wrote:

For soul you could just play a bit of Aretha Franklin while you ride.

Haha, true!

Cheers for the feedback. Just been looking at the Rockriders, they do look good for the money, but there's no Decathlon stores in Wales. Think I will go the upgrade route, will cost me less, might have to ask for advice for setting up the Hydraulic brakes when the time comes though.

EricPilot

This is the list of parts I have. Let me know if I've missed anything.

Suntour XCR forks

Shimano Deore BR-M596 Disc Brake Lever and Post Mount Calliper (front)
Shimano Deore BR-M596 Disc Brake Lever and Post Mount Calliper (rear)

Alivio SLM410 8-Speed Rapidfire Levers

Shimano SLX M665 RT64 Centre-Lock Disc Rotor 160mm
Shimano SLX M665 RT64 Centre-Lock Disc Rotor 180mm

Shimano Adapter for Post Type Caliper Black 180mm

Mavic Crossride Disc Centre Lock MTB Wheel (Rear) size: 9x135
Mavic Crossride Disc Centre Lock MTB Wheel (front) size: 9x100

The Rookie

XCR forks aren't too bad, though much better can be had, but I'd sort the rest first.

Rest all look good to go!

EricPilot

The Rookie wrote:

XCR forks aren't too bad, though much better can be had, but I'd sort the rest first.

Rest all look good to go!

Great, think I'll get these bits ordered this week.

The Rookie

Crossrides wouldn't be my first choice though (they are heavier than the equalizer build I linked to)....somewhat over rated.

EricPilot

Just found some RockShox Rebas 2009 on ebay, are they any good? Bidding ends in about 2 hours.

cooldad

These?
(edited to stop nasty people gazumping)

Excellent forks if the condition is good and the steerer tube is long enough.

EricPilot

Yup, they the ones! Currently highest bidder at the mo, checked the steer tube, i've got 30mm spacers so have 10mm to spare.

EricPilot

Didn't win them, they went for £140 I think in the end. I got some new 2013 Suntour XCR LO 100 for £59 in the end. Still better than the old Suntours I have. Will need the steerer cut down abit, would you do yourself? Found some second Shimano MT55's with Rotors included.

cooldad

Just use a hacksaw - doesn't have to be a perfect cut, just make sure it's still long enough, measure, relax, measure again, think, measure again, cut.

EricPilot

Ok, cool. So the cut doesn't have to be perfectly square? I have 2 10mm and 2 5mm spacers. Measure twice cut once rule.

cooldad

Nope because the top of the steerer doesn't touch anything.

EricPilot

Right