REVIEWS DEALS BIKESHOPS TRAILS

What would actually make riding even better?

1325 Views 19 Replies 15 Participants Last post by RS VR6, Oct 17, 2021

jrhone

Discussion Starter · Oct 16, 2021

Got a 2021 Chisel base. I ride mostly XC trails. Sometimes when i cant get off road i will do 20 miles on paved bike trails for the exercise. Some trails have fast singletrack. Some trails have fast downhill sections. Its mixed conditions from rocky and slick to deep ruts to groomed dirt. The Chisel had me smiling ear to ear no matter what I ride. Only mods are a dropper post, Oury grips and going tubeless. Its got Spesh branded Stout Pro cranks and a Deore cassette and a Judy Silver air fork. All areas that can be improved upon but the question that I keep asking myself are there any updates that will make the ride even more enjoyable? Maybe a carbon bar?

1 - 20 of 20 Posts

mtnbkrmike

· #2 · Oct 16, 2021

edit…best to not push my luck with the secret list of demerit points floating around…

singletrackmack

· #3 · Oct 16, 2021 (Edited)

Dropper post. By far the best improvement to mountain bikes over the last 20 years. Game changer

edit: just realized you added a dropper. Good

Maybe try out some different tires. Always good to have options and tires will make the biggest difference. Could be fun to see what the widest tire is that can fit your bike and try that out. Then maybe get something that is super fast rolling for different types of rides.

Reactions: 3

FJSnoozer

· #4 · Oct 16, 2021

Not much beats the dramatic difference between going from a set of crappy stock wheels to an ultra lite carbon wheelset on good hubs. That’s quite pricy, but pretty amazing.

A carbon handlebar with good flex designed in is nice on the hands for sure. Beware, some carbon bars are super heavy and not flexible in the right places and aren’t any better than an aluminum handlebar.

One of the best investments is a good Chamois, Dynaplug mega pill

, chain links, multi tool with chain break, and frame pump for your pocket.

As you ride further, these things will all save your ass…literally.

Dynaplug® Online Store | Dynaplug® Megapill - Tubeless Bicycle Tire Repair Kit

www.dynaplug.com

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Reactions: 1

noapathy

· #5 · Oct 17, 2021

I'd say better tires depending what came on there if you're lacking grip (I switch to grippier ones to deal with wet leaves every fall). Otherwise, the thing that makes my rides more enjoyable is just enjoying them without worrying what I "need" to somehow make it better.

jrhone

Discussion Starter · #6 · Oct 17, 2021

Tires are Specialized Fast Trak Control Gripton.

mlloyd007

· #7 · Oct 17, 2021

If you're serious about increasing your enjoyment on the bike, don't look at the bike, look at your skills game. Skills that will exponentially increase riding enjoyment are track stands, hopping/rocking, a good bunny hop technique, manuals, solid jumping skills. Nothing to buy, and always something to work on; win/win!

Reactions: 5

noapathy

· #8 · Oct 17, 2021

jrhone said:
Tires are Specialized Fast Trak Control Gripton.

For XC/pavement, those are pretty good AFAIK, though if you ask 100 different people you're likely to get 111 different answers when it comes to tire preference. Enjoy the ride!

sgltrak

· #9 · Oct 17, 2021

What will make the ride even more enjoyable?

Riding in a new location, riding different trails, riding the same trails in a different direction, riding at night, riding a different time of day, riding in a different season, riding in different weather, stopping more to take photos, stopping more to eat snacks, stopping less, riding faster, riding slower, riding solo, riding with others...

For me it is not about what I'm riding, but about the riding. More time on the bike always translates into more enjoyable. Equipment changes don't equal enjoyment for me.

Reactions: 4

FJSnoozer

· #10 · Oct 17, 2021

This is all great advice.

250-400 spent in skills coaching and or a clinic, would get you far more than any modification you could buy.

Same way that even the cheapest $15/mo training program you could find would benefit one more than owning the fastest 14,000 bike.

Nothing quite improves your riding enjoyment as much as having 10% more fitness than you have now.

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Nat

· #11 · Oct 17, 2021

Thus begins upgrade-itis

Reactions: 3

DennisT

· #12 · Oct 17, 2021

TBH, and I guess this is a bit off-topic, but the only thing that would make riding better for me is better weather more often so I can ride more. There is literally nothing else I can think of to ask for.

Reactions: 3

CrozCountry

· #13 · Oct 17, 2021

You already have a dropper which is the first thing to do. Smart choice.

In order:

Ergonomics if you have some comfort issues (saddle, grips, etc).
Good pedals (IF the originals are no good).
Grippier tires (front first)
Longer handlebars if you are very tall
Bigger discs
Fork upgrade

I would not touch the drivetrain, wheels or anything else. Carbon bits like wheels and handlebars are low bang for the buck, I would replace the bike completely before those upgrades.

ocnLogan

· #14 · Oct 17, 2021

Unrelated, but one of the best purchases I’ve made that has made biking more enjoyable…

Is a smart trainer.

Personally I find it difficult to get out as much as I’d like. And the smart trainer makes it easier to get some cardio/mileage in when it’s super crappy weather, too dark to ride safely, or when I’m doing something like babysitting the kids while my wife is out.

So it’s not a direct bike upgrade like a new fork. But having better fitness than I usually have allows each ride to be better.

Now I just need a skills trainer

.

OneSpeed

· #15 · Oct 17, 2021

If you like the bike the way it is now, pick a destination and take a trip. Explore new trails and have an adventure with friends.

maynard4130

· #16 · Oct 17, 2021

If you're lucky enough to have trails near you, ride from your house. To me there is something more satisfying about it.

Reactions: 1

jrhone

Discussion Starter · #17 · Oct 17, 2021

mlloyd007 said:
If you're serious about increasing your enjoyment on the bike, don't look at the bike, look at your skills game. Skills that will exponentially increase riding enjoyment are track stands, hopping/rocking, a good bunny hop technique, manuals, solid jumping skills. Nothing to buy, and always something to work on; win/win!

CrozCountry said:
You already have a dropper which is the first thing to do. Smart choice.

In order:

Ergonomics if you have some comfort issues (saddle, grips, etc).

Good pedals (IF the originals are no good).

Grippier tires (front first)

Longer handlebars if you are very tall

Bigger discs

Fork upgrade

I would not touch the drivetrain, wheels or anything else. Carbon bits like wheels and handlebars are low bang for the buck, I would replace the bike completely before those upgrades.

Forgot to mention the Raceface Chester pedals.

acer66

· #18 · Oct 17, 2021

mlloyd007 said:
If you're serious about increasing your enjoyment on the bike, don't look at the bike, look at your skills game. Skills that will exponentially increase riding enjoyment are track stands, hopping/rocking, a good bunny hop technique, manuals, solid jumping skills. Nothing to buy, and always something to work on; win/win!

This!

maynard4130

· #19 · Oct 17, 2021

Learn to do all of the maintenance yourself.

Reactions: 1

RS VR6

· #20 · Oct 17, 2021

I think the only thing I'd change is the front tire. The Fast Trak is a semi slick tire that has some really shallow tread. I've run it on the front before and at least for me...it was sketchy and squirrely when the dirt got loose. Moving to something like a Ground Control can make the front end feel a bit more stable when the dirt becomes a bit more unpredictable.

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