My First Hardtail Rebuild…advice needed!

gregneedle

Hi Guys,

I've decided to strip down and rebuild my first 1/2 decent hard tail as my girlfriend has taken up cycling and I figured it would be a good way to get her started at a reasonable cost, and also teach me a few of the basics before I take the spanner to my trek full susser. I have somewhat neglected the bike over the last few years and lent it out to my brother in law who never cleaned or really maintained it, hence the re-build…

The bike is a commencal combi disc. I know its nothing amazing but, with a few component upgrades it will make a decent first bike for the Mrs.

So I have set about stripping the bike down to just a frame and give it all a full clean. First thing I noticed was the weight of the forks! They are rockshox Dart 2 and weigh a tonn.
I would like to try and upgrade them, so any recommended budget forks that would fit the bill would be good, maybe a second hand set off ebay, recommendations would be appreciated?

Also the chain, rear mech, cassette and crank cogs are all bent/ filthily and generally battered, so I was thinking of re-newing all of these.

Can anyone reccommend some good budget stuff?

The mech is a S-ram X7, I have seen a shimano deore on chain reaction for a good price, will these just be a straight swap?

Any other useful tips would be greatly appreciated...

Thanks in advance,

Greg

The Rookie

Second hand set of Recon Gold air or Suntour Raidon air would be my choice.

coulddobetter

Sram and shimano rear derailleur need same manufacturers shifters as pull ratio differs.