£400 to spend on upgrading Orange gringo

cnb1000

Hi, I've got a 2006 Orange Gringo hardtail

http://www.bikeradar.com/gear/category/ ... ingo-9694/

I'm mainly into road biking, but want to do more trails at weekends with friends
This weekend I was seconds away from putting a deposit down on a 29" evo 2014 FSR Stumpjumper, but before spending that amount of money I want to a) get better b) know a bit more about MTB so I get my bike choice right as its a big investment just to go from magazine reviews
Therefore my 'interim' solution is to use the Orange Gringo frame & front sus, but upgrading the wheels, the drivechain & switching to disc brakes.
The budget is £400 (including LBS fee for fitting)
Its a 26" bike, 19" frame
Is there any advice? I'll be doing cinder paths with a bit bridal paths over loose stone, plus the trails at weekends (Whinlatter etc)
Thanks for any advice!!
Chris

The Rookie

Fork is the most important single component.

Spec sheet for what you have now.....

Are the wheels and frame (and forks) Disc compatable?

cnb1000

Hi this is the fork: a RockShox J2
http://www.mtbr.com/cat/older-categorie ... 46crx.aspx
It is disc compatabible I remember this being an upgrade option offered to me in the shop when I bought it
thanks

The Rookie

New forks as well then, as that is pants, certainly no point spending that sort of money on a bike with them on, you'd be better off getting a newer budget bike like the calibre two.two (£343 with Go Outdoors card bought as well).

alexthebear

Calibre two.two was given 5 stars and said to be the best bike to buy under £500, plus with your budget you'd have just enough change for some superstar nanos and a charge spoon

cnb1000

Thanks for the replies, I'll have a look into Go outdoors

alexthebear

Here is the review of the Calibre.

poah

wheels and brakes would be my choice for upgrades.

superstar are doing some quite good deals for

wheels - http://superstar.tibolts.co.uk/product_ ... cts_id=496

stem - 65 mm http://superstar.tibolts.co.uk/product_ ... cts_id=463

slx brakes and discs - http://www.merlincycles.com/shimano-slx ... 61384.html

wider bar - http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/cran ... -prod53287


and you won't need an LBS to fit anything

supersonic

Definitely new forks, the J2 is pretty bad, heavy and flexy. I'd certainly get the wheels above:

http://superstar.tibolts.co.uk/product_ ... cts_id=496

I'd then add a Rockshox Recon Silver and budget Shimano brakes.

poah

not going to save much going to cheaper deores - certainly not enough to get a fork as well as wheels. another £100 on to the budget would mean he could

supersonic

Easily enough - recons or xc32 can be had for 130, wheels 180.