New MTB, what upgrades should I make?

JoelPedals

Just swapped my fullsus for this brand new hardtail, as I only need a bike to comute on.
I'm thinking of upgrading the forks first (unsure what ones fit) but what other upgrades should I make to make the bike feel better and stronger?

https://www.evanscycles.com/norco-fluid ... UQEALw_wcB

larkim

If you only need the bike to commute on, why did you buy that bike?

JBA

Why do you think you need to 'upgrade' anything?
What does the bike not do that you want it to do?

If it's only for commuting* then you have bought the wrong bike. A road bike or hybrid would be better.

If it was my bike the only things I would consider changing are the tyres and chain ring.
2.8" tyres for commuting are pointless and will just drag. Put narrower, slick tyres on and it will be easier and faster.
With a 30T chain ring you'll spin out at about 25mph. Put a 36T ring on (if it will fit) and you'll gain a few mph.

Selling the dropper post that you'll never use on a commute will get you some cash to put towards the changes.


*I am assuming your commute is road-based.

JoelPedals

larkim wrote:

If you only need the bike to commute on, why did you buy that bike?

It was a straight swap
Not a fan of roadies.

JoelPedals

JBA wrote:

Why do you think you need to 'upgrade' anything?
What does the bike not do that you want it to do?

If it's only for commuting* then you have bought the wrong bike. A road bike or hybrid would be better.

If it was my bike the only things I would consider changing are the tyres and chain ring.
2.8" tyres for commuting are pointless and will just drag. Put narrower, slick tyres on and it will be easier and faster.
With a 30T chain ring you'll spin out at about 25mph. Put a 36T ring on (if it will fit) and you'll gain a few mph.

Selling the dropper post that you'll never use on a commute will get you some cash to put towards the changes.


*I am assuming your commute is road-based.

Thanks for being helpful

larkim

OK, I get that you've bought this for "compromised" reasons, and each to their own. But for road commuting use, other than swapping for lighter rigid forks, why would you even think about "upgrading" them.

What you want for a commuting bike (in no particular order) would be:-
- enough top end speed
- fast rolling tyres
- lightweight overall package
- comfortable riding position

Assuming comfort is sorted and that you're not already spinning out the highest gear n the commute, then tyres are the most obvious port of call. Lightening the whole bike up could be expensive vs buying a cheap light hybrid hack just for the commute.

Thought about clipless pedals / shoes potentially? Lights, storage, bike computer / maps? Trying to be helpful, but unless your commute is off road, buying a MTB for commuting and then seeing if the most off-road feature of the bike (i.e. the fork) needs upgrading sounds like a bit of a naive question to be asking!

JoelPedals

larkim wrote:

OK, I get that you've bought this for "compromised" reasons, and each to their own. But for road commuting use, other than swapping for lighter rigid forks, why would you even think about "upgrading" them.

What you want for a commuting bike (in no particular order) would be:-
- enough top end speed
- fast rolling tyres
- lightweight overall package
- comfortable riding position

Assuming comfort is sorted and that you're not already spinning out the highest gear n the commute, then tyres are the most obvious port of call. Lightening the whole bike up could be expensive vs buying a cheap light hybrid hack just for the commute.

Thought about clipless pedals / shoes potentially? Lights, storage, bike computer / maps? Trying to be helpful, but unless your commute is off road, buying a MTB for commuting and then seeing if the most off-road feature of the bike (i.e. the fork) needs upgrading sounds like a bit of a naive question to be asking!

Youre correct. will change the tyres and not spend a penny more until parts break thanks

JoelPedals

larkim wrote:

OK, I get that you've bought this for "compromised" reasons, and each to their own. But for road commuting use, other than swapping for lighter rigid forks, why would you even think about "upgrading" them.

What you want for a commuting bike (in no particular order) would be:-
- enough top end speed
- fast rolling tyres
- lightweight overall package
- comfortable riding position

Assuming comfort is sorted and that you're not already spinning out the highest gear n the commute, then tyres are the most obvious port of call. Lightening the whole bike up could be expensive vs buying a cheap light hybrid hack just for the commute.

Thought about clipless pedals / shoes potentially? Lights, storage, bike computer / maps? Trying to be helpful, but unless your commute is off road, buying a MTB for commuting and then seeing if the most off-road feature of the bike (i.e. the fork) needs upgrading sounds like a bit of a naive question to be asking!

Youre correct. will change the tyres and not spend a penny more until parts break thanks

The Rookie

Reduce drag (narrower faster rolling tyres)
Reduce weight (dropper, tyres, cassette)
Gearing (get a bigger chainring on it, something like a 38-40T).

billycool

It's hard to say that it's not really the right bike for what you want it to do.

Having said that:

Thinner/lighter/faster tyres
Tubeless
Bigger chain ring

swod1

you should have kept the full suspension bike and just got a little hybrid bike to ride on roads.

layers

Give the guy a break, he can buy whatever he likes! Fwiw I agree tyres and after that wheels are usually the best upgrade in terms of feeling a big difference to how the bike performs