29er upgrades

wellbeloved747

I have now returned to the mountain bike scene after a few years, just swapped my full carbon roadie for a Specialised crave pro 29Er 2014, hoping to use it through the summer more an then take it to uni with me to explore the area.

The bike is stock and theres a few things that i want to change and I'm after advice and help.

saddle is the starting issue, it cuttting into me i think its too thin, would it be best to go to local bike shop and try some out? i want to put this on a dropper post would this change anything?

my front brake seems to catch at a certain point on the rotor the rotor is very close to the brake mount and the wheel is slightly un true, should i have my wheels trued (back too is in need) the brakes could do with an improvement so should i swap them out for something better or fit 200mm rotors or do both?

i have fox float 32 shocks that i want to fit remote lock out too, i have seen you can get the kit for the top of the fork, is it hard it fit? however i cant find the remote?

Im also looking to put larger grippier flat pedals on and riser bars


any help, recommendations and suggestions would be great!

Matt

The Rookie

Go to your LBS and try some, a Spesh shop has a measuring device, that or try a Charge Spoon as they have far more likers than not likers! the dropper post makes no difference, the saddle mount is the same, not an obvious bike for a dropper though!

You should true the wheel, but it will have no effect on the brake disc! If the disc is slightly warped then use an adjustable spanner set to disc thickness to tweak it back slightly. Close to the mounting is perfectly normal. You shouldn't need 200mm discs on a bike of that type, 180mm should work fine, if they don't treat the root cause and not the symptom!

You can't fit a remote lockout to a CTD as such, but you can fit a remote for the CTD control, the climb mode isn't as locked as many lockouts (which are never fully locked anyway, just a lot of damping). Most people are happy to reach down and flick it to climb on the crown should they need to.

Why riser bars, with all you propose it sounds like you have the wrong bike - dropper and riser is for quite aggressive use and the Crave is an XC bike, but then you wouldn't need the lockout either!

Pedals, try Superstar Nano's.

kajjal

To sort out your front brake first make sure your wheel is in straight. Then look down the brake caliper so you can see the disc with the pads either side. Slightly undo the two mounting bolts and adjust until the disc is in the centre of the pads at both ends and not off to one side. Slowly tighten the mounting bolts making sure it stays centred. Then pull the brake on a couple of times and spin the wheel. You may need to do this a couple of times to get it right.

If it still catches see where and if the disc is out of shape just buy a new one as it is easier than bending one into shape and you can just get on with riding

For the rest of your questions just ride the bike for a while and see what you think.

rockmonkeysc

Riser bars aren't really for aggressive riding, they aren't normal on 29ers either because the front end is already high.

buddy_club

Kajjal wrote:

To sort out your front brake first make sure your wheel is in straight. Then look down the brake caliper so you can see the disc with the pads either side. Slightly undo the two mounting bolts and adjust until the disc is in the centre of the pads at both ends and not off to one side. Slowly tighten the mounting bolts making sure it stays centred. Then pull the brake on a couple of times and spin the wheel. You may need to do this a couple of times to get it right.

To make this a bit easier, undo the bolts then squeeze hard on the brake lever so the caliper is aligned. While squeezing, tighten up the mounting bolts.

kajjal

buddy_club wrote:

Kajjal wrote:

To sort out your front brake first make sure your wheel is in straight. Then look down the brake caliper so you can see the disc with the pads either side. Slightly undo the two mounting bolts and adjust until the disc is in the centre of the pads at both ends and not off to one side. Slowly tighten the mounting bolts making sure it stays centred. Then pull the brake on a couple of times and spin the wheel. You may need to do this a couple of times to get it right.

To make this a bit easier, undo the bolts then squeeze hard on the brake lever so the caliper is aligned. While squeezing, tighten up the mounting bolts.

Good idea to try but often the brake action is uneven and will still rub.