Beginner mods??

Nobody has any ideas? I don't want to overhaul my bike, just a couple of small modifications I can do to improve my biking.

sswoody00 said:

Nobody has any ideas? I don't want to overhaul my bike, just a couple of small modifications I can do to improve my biking.

changing the pedals to clipless if you are not already using them make a big difference. If you have a flexy crank, changing that makes a big diff as well but that can be pricey and a bit fiddly if you do not know what you are doing. putting a nice new plush fork on also makes a big difference but probably not necessary yet. getting good off road tyres is also a winner (try panaracer trailblasters)

What davebee said.

Clipless pedals make your pedaling much more efficient, and if/when you ride off-road, better knobby tyres can give you heaps more traction (depending on the surface you're riding), and are usually lighter than stock tyres as well.

Does the shifting feel not as crisp or light as what it was when you first got the bike? Depending on how much mud and muck the bike's seen, perhaps invest in getting some new shift cables (and outer housings) put on. That will make the shifting action feel like new again.

Perhaps a basic cycle computer so you can start logging the duration of your rides, mileage, average speed, that sort of thing?

Above those basic things, it's better off to isolate a place where you feel your bike is weak, and then take it from there. (No point spending money to upgrade stuff that isn't letting you down)

rek said:

What davebee said.

Above those basic things, it's better off to isolate a place where you feel your bike is weak, and then take it from there. (No point spending money to upgrade stuff that isn't letting you down)

and that is when the fun begins..... You find the weak link - upgrade it so it is [censored] hot. that then makes something else the weak link so that gets upgraded and so on until you find you have a top end bike on a [censored] frame, so the frame goes, but by then something has worn out so it gets upgraded again!! you end up with empty pockets and a big smile on your face though.

Well, I'm just a beginner, and I don't really know what is weak on the bike. I need to get the shifter cables readjusted, and maybe some better brakes (these pinch type really suck in the rain and mud I was riding in the other day)

Even climbing pretty steep hills in mud and some spots of really thick, soft, wet sand, these Bontrager tires feel pretty nice. (and I didn't even air down the tires!) My tire only slipped once or twice, and it wasn't anything major at all.

Do the clipless pedals lock your feet in at all? Do I need special shoes with them? I kind of lost my balance once when I was climing a hill, and I was thinking if I had those pedals you lock into, I probably would have taken a nice tumble down the hill backwards, rather than just putting my foot down.

Thanks for the advice guys!!

sswoody00 said:

Well, I'm just a beginner, and I don't really know what is weak on the bike. I need to get the shifter cables readjusted, and maybe some better brakes (these pinch type really suck in the rain and mud I was riding in the other day)

in that case i would hold off any major upgrades for the time being. get to know the bike and learn what you like and don't like. upgrade the bits you don't like.

sswoody00 said:

Even climbing pretty steep hills in mud and some spots of really thick, soft, wet sand, these Bontrager tires feel pretty nice. (and I didn't even air down the tires!) My tire only slipped once or twice, and it wasn't anything major at all.

good quality offroad tyres will still be better than stock.

Do the clipless pedals lock your feet in at all? Do I need special shoes with them? I kind of lost my balance once when I was climing a hill, and I was thinking if I had those pedals you lock into, I probably would have taken a nice tumble down the hill backwards, rather than just putting my foot down.[/quote]
yes and yes. you get used to them pretty quick though and the benefits outweight the risks. you can get some that have a nice big platform and only cleats on one side so for technical sections where you are not confident you can ride unclipped.

sswoody00 said:

Well, I'm just a beginner, and I don't really know what is weak on the bike. I need to get the shifter cables readjusted, and maybe some better brakes (these pinch type really suck in the rain and mud I was riding in the other day)

in that case i would hold off any major upgrades for the time being. get to know the bike and learn what you like and don't like. upgrade the bits you don't like.

sswoody00 said:

Even climbing pretty steep hills in mud and some spots of really thick, soft, wet sand, these Bontrager tires feel pretty nice. (and I didn't even air down the tires!) My tire only slipped once or twice, and it wasn't anything major at all.

good quality offroad tyres will still be better than stock.

sswoody00 said:

Do the clipless pedals lock your feet in at all? Do I need special shoes with them? I kind of lost my balance once when I was climing a hill, and I was thinking if I had those pedals you lock into, I probably would have taken a nice tumble down the hill backwards, rather than just putting my foot down.

yes and yes. you get used to them pretty quick though and the benefits outweight the risks. you can get some that have a nice big platform and only cleats on one side so for technical sections where you are not confident you can ride unclipped.

Sounds good! I've been reading even more about clipless pedals and shoes on this forum, and I'm going to order a set of Egg Beater C's from eBay (cheapest prices) and probably go in today to a shop to try out some different shoes. Thanks again for your help!

How about a new stem?

I ride XC but I still use a very short downhill stem. I wouldn't want anything else. Much better on the steep downhills and technical sections. I also have downhill bars infact.

Do the stem and bars make a noticable difference? I was thinking about getting new bars and grips, but I didn't know if it was worth dishing out the cash for right now. What are some of the "top" companies to look for, for mostly XC? Thanks!

John90210 said:

How about a new stem?

I ride XC but I still use a very short downhill stem. I wouldn't want anything else. Much better on the steep downhills and technical sections. I also have downhill bars infact.

hmmm. short stem would be good for the downhills, very responsive. not so sure that is what i would want for crankign abck up the otherside of the mountain. tis all a tradeoff.