[TEXASDAVE]

Ok, I'm doing some upgrades on my HardRock..... need some budget minded ideas that make since.... I've already upgraded the tires to Kenda Nevegals. Looking to upgrades the mech. discs to hydraulic, thudbuster seat post, handlebars, shifters, lockon grips, stem and forks.......
I know, I know....... save the cash and buy a new bike...... But I have no problem with used parts where it makes since......
Any suggestions or ideas?????

 

[rlouder]

How much do you want to spend? How bout some tassels?

 

[TEXASDAVE]

Up to about $500
no tassels

 

[mnigro]

only the parts that make the bike fit you better; stem, bars... maybe brakes if yours suck. Wheels are great because they're portable but you'll need to spend most of the $500 in order to get a worth-while set.

 

[Kaizer]

Handlebar and stems gives obvious results when changed.

Get XT shifters and mod it into multi release. Makes alot of difference in shifting feel, the multi release is an icing on the cake.

BR595 Deore hydros are very worthwhile upgrade without breaking the bank.

Suspension wise, it really depends on what you wanna achieve out of the upgrade.

 

[JmZ]

What is the bike NOT doing correctly right now?

Work on fixing that first. If everything is 'ok' , then what do you want on the next bike. Will you hold on to the part long enough? Then upgrade that keeping it in mind for the next bike.

Otherwise I'd say get a few spare things. $500 would buy a decent set of wheels. Could get a set for racing and a set for normal riding, or one for road and one for trail, etc.

JmZ

 

[Eville140]

Nice light stem and carbon bar for under a $100
http://www.pricepoint.com/detail/15...dge-O_S-Stem-w_-F_X2-O_S-Carbon-Riser-Bar.htm

Add in some cheap ritchey foam grips and you can save a decent amount of weight for a decent price.

 

[mefistofeles]

I would recommend upgrading the interface between the rider and the bike,this is something that's often neglected.

The first thing I would recommend would be a leather saddle. We sit on ours bikes for hours so it's important to have a comfortable seat. Unlike conventional saddles leather actually conforms to your anatomy for a custom "perfect fit". Leather saddles are far more comfortable than the vast majority of modern saddles. If you're a light rider (under 145 lbs) I would recommend getting a Person's Leather Saddle they're made from Bufallo leather and very soft. If you're over 150 pounds I would recommend getting a Gyes saddle they run about $60-$70 + tax and shipping. However if you want you can always get a more expensive Brooks Saddle.

The second thing would be good set of pedals. You'll be amazed how much a good a set of pedals will improve you're pedalling power. If you prefer platform pedals I would go with the Shimano DX pedals,I have them on several bikes and they're very light and have a very smooth action. Shimano DX pedals are definitely much better than the "plastic coffee cans" that come with most bikes.

A good set of pedals and a good saddle should run you approximately $200, but will allow you to ride in far more comfort and better speed.

In terms of physical performance I would say that brakes are #1. I almost never rode my Trance X1 because I didn't like the brakes, Hayes Stroker Rydes. They didn't have enough power when I needed it and were very grabby at low speeds. After I switched out my brakes I enjoyed riding that bike far more. There's nothing like flying down a hill at 40 mph and just letting go without even touching your brake lever and then jamming on your brakes at the very last instance. It's an amazing feeling of freedom and exhilaration. So with the $300 I would recommend getting a set of Avid Code R's which replaced the Hayes Stroker Ryde's on my Trance X1. Unfortunately I needed the Code R's for my freeride bike so they were switched out with Elixir CR's which are fine brakes but not in the same league as the Code R's.

 

[TEXASDAVE]

I have new pedals... Crank Bros Candy X
I like the saddle. Mainly I'm looking brakes and shifters. Forks I'm looking for just better...lol

 

[mnigro]

if you buy a new fork, don't half-a$$ it. get a good fork and leave some extra steer tube for possible swap to a new frame down the road. Again, wheels are a great upgrade. As are tires.

 

[TEXASDAVE]

Looking for a fork with a lockout and a decent amount of adjustability. The suntours seem to just be there..... or I just don't know how to adjust them.

 

[mnigro]

never used a suntour fork. If/when you need a new fork, strongly consider a good used fork or new old stock. I picked up a brand new Reba Race for $225, a new Revelation for $325, a brand new Pike for $375. Good deals can be had you just need to be patient.

 

[Jaydude]

stans w/ ghetto tubeless setup.

Huge upgrade for cheep

 

[mefistofeles]

I'm thinking about putting a Manitou Circus Fork on my Trance X1, it can be found for around $450 if you look hard enough.

The only problem with the fork is that's designed for dirt jumping. That's both good and bad, if you hit the rock gardens it would probably be awesome. MY LBS had one installed on a Yukon FX and I rode it down some stairs, man is that thing stiff. Of sometimes when you're riding you want a slow rebound or else the bike's going to feel like a jackhammer. This happened to me when I hit a trail that was simply rocky on my Anthem X 29er. I had taken a three foot drop on a rock garden before and the bike was perfect,in fact I hardly felt a thing. However on this rocky trail I felt like I was on jackhammer. I think it's a result of setting my rebound too high. Since that fork is made for dirt jumping I wonder if it's ill suited to handling numerous small hits.