MTB replacement components advice

viper1984

Hi

I was looking for some advice on what parts to buy/what options I have please. I really know very little about what the difference between a good and poor part is so appreciate any expert advice.

I have a Giant Yukon FX 1 which needs the following parts replaced; front and rear brake pads, chain, cassette. I think this link contains the most information on the bike.
http://www.bikeradar.com/gear/category/bikes/mountain-bikes/product/review-giant-yukon-fx-1-08-29512/

In terms of usage; I use the bike for commuting to work on the road 99% of the time, and that 1% is off-road when I get the time.

I would appreciate it if you could let me know good parts to go for based on the above. In my head I was hoping to spend about £80 on all the parts but would be willing to pay more if there is something of a superior quality that will benefit me. Of course, I'm also happy to pay less if I don't need to spend that much.

Feel free to ask me any further questions which may help. Also feel free to give links to shop web pages if that's easier.

Kindly thanking you in advance.

The Rookie

Superstar for brake pads.

Chain and cassette, shop around, KMC for chains (make sure you size it correctly, you'll need a chain tool and ideally quicklink) and Shimano for cassette, try the usual places for the best price, eBay, CRC, wiggle etc.

Pads £10, chain circa £20, cassette price depends how good a one you want but you should be able to get an XT for circa £40.

Antm81

The original chain and cassette come in at £11 and £10 respectively at chain reaction and a set of 4 pairs of pads can be had for under £30 from places such as superstar and uberbike, would need the model number of the brakes to determine which pads though as it's not listed.

viper1984

Thanks for the replies so far.

I have been out to take a look at the brakes and they are Shimano BR-M485. Knowing this, are you able to recommend some pads if the calipers are Shimano BR-M485?

In terms of cassette, what benefit would I see from a Shimano XT compared with the other parts below for example? Longer life, better shift?
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/shimano-xt-m770-9-speed-mtb-cassette/rp-prod20677
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/shimano-deore-hg61-9-speed-mtb-cassette/rp-prod31059
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/sram-pg980-9-speed-mtb-cassette/rp-prod8332

Regarding the chain, would all 3 of the below work with the above cassettes? And what is the difference between them aside from the price and colour? Anything I would notice?
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/kmc-x9-73-9-speed-chain/rp-prod25423
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/kmc-x9-93-9-speed-chain/rp-prod12756
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/kmc-x9-ept-9-speed-chain/rp-prod120617

Thanks again

supersonic

Cassette shifting is all the same. More money buys you lighter weight. Deore is as good as most people need (HG50 series).

Any nine speed chain will work with any nine speed cassette. As above, the more you pay the lighter - but - the chains are usually better finished and shift a little better.

Antm81

For pads I'd be looking at something like this

http://www.superstarcomponents.com/en/4 ... e-pads.htm

Yours should be the s2 model of pads, same as mine, I use Uberbike pads which are made by the same manufacturer.

viper1984

Thanks again, this is very helpful, I am learning more after each post.

So I would narrow down the cassette to one of these two. They are very close on price; is one any better than the other?
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/shimano-alivio-hg30-9-speed-mtb-cassette/rp-prod69266
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/shimano-deore-alivio-hg50-9-speed-mtb-cassette/rp-prod443

As for chains, narrowed down to two; again, very close on price, is one any better than the other?
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/kmc-x9-93-9-speed-chain/rp-prod12756
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/kmc-x9-ept-9-speed-chain/rp-prod120617

As for the brakes, I think it would be between these two. Would lean towards the Nukeproof ones purely because they can be ordered from the same site. Unless anyone thinks the Superstar ones are significantly superior?
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/nukeproof-shimano-deore-m515-m525-tektro-disc-pads/rp-prod42157
http://www.superstarcomponents.com/en/sintered-disc-brake-pads.htm

Antm81

I wouldn't be surprised if Thesuperstar and Nukeproof pads are made by the same manufacturer, some of their pedals are plus buying a pack of 4 pairs isnt much more expensive than buying 2 pairs of the Nukeproof, by the way I've got nothing to do superstar just think their pads a great value.

Antm81

I'd also just replace the stam cassette like for like, it's lighter than the Deore one so certainly lighter than the other.

viper1984

Thanks to everyone for their advice.

I will be going for...
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/sram-pg950-9-speed-mtb-cassette/rp-prod5045
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/kmc-x9-ept-9-speed-chain/rp-prod120617
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/nukeproof-shimano-deore-m515-m525-tektro-disc-pads/rp-prod42157

Won't be ordering them for a day or two so if anyone feels they have something valuable to add, please let me know