Rockhopper Upgrading

Coolnick

I plan to upgrade my bike over next year or so, starting with new fork I'm getting fitted tonight (MX Pro). What else apart from obvious addition of disc brakes would you look to upgrade? See spec on below link

http://www.specialized.com/bc/SBCBkModel.jsp?a=b&minisite=10028&arc=2004&spid=21219&language=US

Unknown

Obviously depends on your budget, but I' just upgrade when the parts wear out. Wheels are a contender though, 117 rims arent very good, and the hubs while solid, are heavy. XT on 717 for 110 quid from merling is a great buy.

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Vegeeta

Merling? Are they new? [:p]

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Unknown

Its their new G division!

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Vegeeta

Better tell Fozzy about that, I would imagine the G division would specialize in diamond encrusted valve caps.

<center><font color="black">A</font id="black"> <font color="red">red</font id="red"> <font color="black">Aireal Symetech XC rear hub!</font id="black"> <font color="black">Aireal EV-2 headset!</font id="black"> <font color="black">A</font id="black"> <font color="blue">blue</font id="blue"> <font color="black">Aireal Symetech hub!</font id="black"></center>
<center><font color="orange">AIREAL AUSTRALIA</font id="orange"></center>

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Unknown

I think it's a typo based on the place Fozzy buys his stuff, Mer<i>b</i>ling

You Beauty
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Well, it is in that they both wish they were Irish

Coolnick

Budget is fairly restricted always, so need to be worthwhile upgrades. My start point was fork - that's sorted now, next most important will be disc brakes, but it's the next few things after that I'm interested in. Thanks for wheels tip. Anymore suggestions?

Wolf

Have you changed the budget tyres? Some œ40 will buy you some nice kevlar ones... Best upgrade for the money.

Marin Eldridge Grade 07
GT Avalanche 1.0 07

Unknown

"Best upgrade for the money."

Damn, thats my line!

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Coolnick

Nope, but they are probably due replacing soon for summer. What tyres are worth looking at as an upgrade and will they make much difference?

Andy B

Tyres make a lot of difference, they're the only thing in contact with the trail!

Panaracer Fire XC Pro 2.1's with folding bead (kevlar) are a good all round tyre.

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Wolf

<blockquote id="quote"><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"><i>Originally posted by supersonic</i>

"Best upgrade for the money."

Damn, thats my line!

<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote"></font id="quote">

Mwahahahaha! Not any more!

I run the Fire XC too at the moment, but am not too happy with how they behave on fast corners under breaking or in the sand... Might change them for Cinders and see what happens...

Marin Eldridge Grade 07
GT Avalanche 1.0 07

Coolnick

How about some nice grips - won't change performance, but current ones are getting worn - any recommendations?

Andy B

Lizard skins loc-on's

Or any loc-on grips that feel right, they stop throttle grip (when the grips move about on the bars) & make it so easy to swap the levers if you need to.

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Coolnick

They sound cool. Are they easy to fit on ie. can anyone do it?

Andy B

yup dead easy, 2 small bolts lock them in place.

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Coolnick

Will look in Leisure Lakes tonight then whilst they fit my MX pro fork!!!

dulldave

XTR gear cables. Not bling I'm afraid but a pretty good place to spend your money.

stuartlangwilson

Better tyres, wheels and probably a lighter saddle, unless you really like the one you have.

Things like better bars/stem/seatpost look nice but wont save you much weight or increase performance greatly.

New cables, as dave says, are always good for giving that new bike feel.

Coolnick

Got the MX Pro's fitted last night, look wicked, can't wait to try them out tonight when I get home! Some new tyres next stop and some ODI loc on grips.