Next upgrade - wheels or discs?

Coolnick · June 2007

Following recent upgrade to Rockhopper adding MX Pro forks I have since sold some old stuff on ebay and have œ150 ish to spend on next upgrades. I would like some advice on whether to go disc brakes (LX) or new wheel set (Merlin have some nice ones) plus new tyres. What would be the best upgrade at this moment?

For info currently have v brakes (to be fair most riding in dryish conditions) and Sun Mach IV rims with Spesh / Shimano Deore hubs.

Either choice I will definitely be changing tyres.

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Unknown · June 2007

If you are getting on ok with said parts, I would just wear them out, then upgrade!

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Andy B · June 2007

Wheels & tyres (best combo for weight loss)

Mavic xc717 on Shimano XT hubs are very good value @ Merlin, as for tyres, my tyre of choice is the folding version of the Panaracer Fire XC Pro (2.1)

You can get the brakes at a later date if you're OK with 'V' brakes for now.

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Unknown · June 2007

For me it would be new brakes - upgrading to Disc brakes makes a huge difference to your bike and gives more confidence that you are going to be abloe to stop. Not used them but am pretty sure the LX brakes are meant to be pretty reliable.

Good wheels can make a difference but I think you would notice more of a difference with disc brakes.

This is if you use the bike mainly on singeltrack/natural off road.

Dave

My Rocky Mountain
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Me
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Unknown · June 2007

Get new brakes, and then get some wheels because if in the future you get disc brakes, you will probably want to put them on the rims that have been used for running V brakes, and they will have been worn down. Get the brakes, then get some disc specific wheels.

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Unknown · June 2007

Just what he needs! 3 sets of differing advice ;-)

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Unknown · June 2007

Thats a point, your wheels/hubs may not be set up for disc brakes.

Dave

My Rocky Mountain
Merlin Malt
Me
Rocky Road
My old Giant XTC - Gone forever

Andy B · June 2007

That was my thought initially!

Plus I was in weight weenie mode...

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Coolnick · June 2007

I know! Guess that shows everyone has own preference though. Yes current wheels are 6 bolt disc ready. They seem ok, but just want to upgrade for the best, to provide a better ride experience. I know benefits of disc brakes etc. but recently been made aware that wheels could be worth a look at, hence question. Cheers guys.

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Unknown · June 2007

Are V brakes letting you down at all?

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Coolnick · June 2007

Not hugely, I mean they aren't great I admit, you obviously dont get immediate stopping power and if damp worse, but not had accident as result.........yet ha ha

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gary_fisher3 · June 2007

Both.

Merlin do a few wheel and brake combo offers under œ200.
http://www.merlincycles.co.uk/acatalog/ ... _Kits.html

(That is assuming an LX / Deore wheel is an upgrade)

Coolnick · June 2007

Nice suggestion, but wouldnt I be compromising quality of one or both if œ200 package? Wouldn't I be best doing one then the other?

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Unknown · June 2007

Getting both wheels and brakes would mean that they would be alot less quality than spending œ200 alone on brakes or wheels...but that is just obvious.

Are you a weight weenie? Are the current wheels too weak for your riding? Or too heavy maybe?

If they are true, and you are not a weight weenie, get the brakes, you will be very happy. Also they will be so much smoother and kinder to the hands.

Long Gone
Specialized
Redline

As a begginer XC rider you may well need...

HelmetMini pumpMulti toolSpare chain linksWinter/wet lubeSummer/dry lubeSpare tubePuncture repair kit

Winter tyresSpring/summer tyresDegreaserChainset brushChain cleanerParktools

Coolnick · June 2007

Im 11 stone, wheels seem ok for now to be fair. I lean more towards discs to be honest and did from start but wanted thoughts before commiting, always worth 2nd opinion. Thanks for all your help lads!

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Unknown · June 2007

Definatley getting the lx?

Long Gone
Specialized
Redline

As a begginer XC rider you may well need...

HelmetMini pumpMulti toolSpare chain linksWinter/wet lubeSummer/dry lubeSpare tubePuncture repair kit

Winter tyresSpring/summer tyresDegreaserChainset brushChain cleanerParktools

Coolnick · June 2007

For the money œ125 fitted at lbs they seem best choice.

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Satchmo245 · June 2007

Save for a little while longer and then get them both at the same time. That way, you won't have to compromise on quality and it will make a HUGE difference!

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Unknown · June 2007

Yeah but why not get the brakes now and the wheels later? Just seperatley? Allthough its fun to have alot of new kit at one time, its not sensible!

Long Gone
Specialized
Redline

As a begginer XC rider you may well need...

HelmetMini pumpMulti toolSpare chain linksWinter/wet lubeSummer/dry lubeSpare tubePuncture repair kit

Winter tyresSpring/summer tyresDegreaserChainset brushChain cleanerParktools

stuartlangwilson · June 2007

I'd go for brakes, maybe juicy 5s from crc and fit them yourself. Its very easy. With avids you will almost certainly get away with not having the mounts faced.

If you get wheels now, you'll need to get vbrake ones, and you will probably want unworn rims when you swap to disc brakes.

The merlin wheel/brake kits are good value, but the wheels in the ~œ200 quid ones are not a very significant upgrade from the ones you have. I'd save up for some really nice wheels with proII or dt hubs and mavic 719 or dt5.1 rims.

Then, save up for a new frame.

My old rockhopper got mx pros, then hope minis and hope xc/317 wheelset, then changed the frame to a cotic soul a few years later[:)]

Unknown · June 2007

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by stuartlangwilson
Then, save up for a new frame.

My old rockhopper got mx pros, then hope minis and hope xc/317 wheelset, then changed the frame to a cotic soul a few years later[:)]
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Says the man with...what is it...NINE bikes[;)]

Dave

My Rocky Mountain
Merlin Malt
Me
Rocky Road
My old Giant XTC - Gone forever

stuartlangwilson · June 2007

[:I]

Not all of them are complete bikes.

futon river crossing · June 2007

Get the brakes - this will make the biggest difference to how your bike feels. Upgrade your wheels when they're worn out.

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Coolnick · June 2007

Cheers for advice, I am going discs first along with some new tyres.

http://www.pinkbike.com/photo/?op=list& ... rid=176616

Next upgrade - wheels or discs?

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