Mountain Biking - **Pics** of my new Marin, and a disc conversion question...

Well my search for a bike has ended. I do mostly recreational riding on fire roads. My goal was to get a decent starter mountain bike with the best components I could find in my low price range. I came across a good deal on sierratradingpost.com and picked up this bike for $290 delivered, plus 3% cash back from fatwallet.com. I test rode a similar marin at REI and liked the feel.

It was delivered last night, partially assembled: I felt like a 12 year old kid again opening the box!
Here's what it looked like unpacked:
http://66.134.67.253/guest/pics-j/Bike/IMG_0061.JPG

Handlebars assembled
http://66.134.67.253/guest/pics-j/Bike/IMG_0062.JPG

Finished assembly! Don't worry, I already took off the reflectors
http://66.134.67.253/guest/pics-j/Bike/IMG_0063.JPG

Deore rear derailer
http://66.134.67.253/guest/pics-j/Bike/IMG_0064.JPG

Stock V brakes
http://66.134.67.253/guest/pics-j/Bike/IMG_0067.JPG

TruVativ Crank
http://66.134.67.253/guest/pics-j/Bike/IMG_0068.JPG

Front view
http://66.134.67.253/guest/pics-j/Bike/IMG_0072.JPG

OK here's the deal. I've had a set of Avid BB7's laying around begging to be installed. Since this frame, fork and hubs are all disc ready, I figure what the heck, even though its complete overkill for the kind of riding I do. Anyway, my question has to do with cables. The original cables appear to be too short to reach the caliper locations. I could easily replace the cables with aftermarket, BUT I noticed this on the frame:
Cable holders on the frame.
http://66.134.67.253/guest/pics-j/Bike/IMG_0069.JPG

My question is, how do I get aftermarket cables installed the same way?

Also, I gave the bike a quick test run last night, and it shifts ok. I'm wondering if I should take it to a LBS and have it adjusted.

Its going to be a fun weekend!


:D

Is that a Hawk Hill? Looks like a nice ride, good price.

You might want to flip the stem and put the spacers underneath it.

Is that saddle height set up for you? If so, unless you're planning on growing a lot that frame looks pretty darn big for you.

Yeah, the cables will need to be replaced with some longer ones.

If you're not comfortable with the installation, go to www.parktools.com and look through their "how-to" section. Pretty self explanatory.

Get some decent cable cutters. A dremel tool works nicely too.

As far as replacement cables, any bike shop should stock them. You only really need one new cable for the rear as you can use your existing rear cable for the front. Then you'll need some new cable housing. From the cable stop to the rear disc should be about 3 or 4 feet. Then, I'd run a whole new front from the lever to the caliper should also be about 4 feet.

Yes its a Hawk Hill and no the bike seat wasn't setup for me in the photo. I'm 5'11 and the bike frame is 18" which felt right for me.

Can you check that URL? It doesn't seem to open.

www.parktool.com

Yeah, the cables will need to be replaced with some longer ones.

If you're not comfortable with the installation, go to www.parktools.com and look through their "how-to" section. Pretty self explanatory.

Get some decent cable cutters. A dremel tool works nicely too.

As far as replacement cables, any bike shop should stock them. You only really need one new cable for the rear as you can use your existing rear cable for the front. Then you'll need some new cable housing. From the cable stop to the rear disc should be about 3 or 4 feet. Then, I'd run a whole new front from the lever to the caliper should also be about 4 feet.

I agree about the cable cutters. right now, i think one of the best deals going is the "wrench force" cutters. they're a blatent knock-off of felcos, and we've been using them in the shop for about a month now. they're not quite as nice as the felcos, but they are SOO much better than the park cutters.

[QUOTE=a2psyklnut] A dremel tool works nicely too.QUOTE]

Hey 'nut, what Dremel attachment do you use for cable and/or housing? Is it just yer basic cut-off wheel?

My cheap cable cutting tool is on it's way out, but I've got cutting wheels aplenty...

TIA

EDIT: and actually, that is a KILLER deal for that Marin bike. You should be proud, pimpin' the internet commerce like that. :D

I also got the Hawk Hill from Sierra Trading Post. What is Fat Wallet? I didn't get 3% back :( Oh well, I got an awesome bike for $290. I got the blue color. It still needs to be assembled. It's been sitting at a friend of mine's body shop for about 3 weeks now. I'm working on another bike and told him if he put together the Hawk Hill, I'd "forget" about the other bike and it would never get stripped, sanded, painted, or reassembled. B/c I'd be riding around on the new one. That other bike is now just waiting to be reassembled(finally done stripping, sanding, and painting) and then the Hawk Hill, which should only take about 20 minutes since it came partially assembled.
How do you like the bike? I didn't get a chance to test ride one, but for the price, I figured if I didn't like it I could sell it and at least get what I paid for it back, if not more.
Hope you enjoy it. It looks great!

[QUOTE=a2psyklnut] A dremel tool works nicely too.QUOTE]

Hey 'nut, what Dremel attachment do you use for cable and/or housing? Is it just yer basic cut-off wheel?

My cheap cable cutting tool is on it's way out, but I've got cutting wheels aplenty...

TIA

EDIT: and actually, that is a KILLER deal for that Marin bike. You should be proud, pimpin' the internet commerce like that. :D

Just the cut-off wheel. Go to Home Depot and get a new one!

Or, when you use your cable cutters, put the ends on a grinder wheel to make them perfectly smooth.

I also got the Hawk Hill from Sierra Trading Post. What is Fat Wallet? I didn't get 3% back :( Oh well, I got an awesome bike for $290. I got the blue color. It still needs to be assembled. It's been sitting at a friend of mine's body shop for about 3 weeks now. I'm working on another bike and told him if he put together the Hawk Hill, I'd "forget" about the other bike and it would never get stripped, sanded, painted, or reassembled. B/c I'd be riding around on the new one. That other bike is now just waiting to be reassembled(finally done stripping, sanding, and painting) and then the Hawk Hill, which should only take about 20 minutes since it came partially assembled.
How do you like the bike? I didn't get a chance to test ride one, but for the price, I figured if I didn't like it I could sell it and at least get what I paid for it back, if not more.
Hope you enjoy it. It looks great!

Fatwallet is a web site that shows great deals on the internet: http://fatwallet.com The web site has a deal with vendors in which they reward you for linking them through fatwallet. I'm glad I bought the bike when I did, because the price shot up to $390 shortly after. I guess they realized the price was too low once you factor in the 10% off and 3% rebate. Unfortunately I havent had a chance to ride it since it's been raining quite a bit here. I did give it a 10 minute test run right after assembly. This is probably one of my best purchases ever. It shifts smoothly, feels good, and handles great! The only thing I would probably change are the tires. They seem awfully skinny, which is fine for mostly urban/light riding.

Wrinkle, I too got the Hawk Hill last week and I am very impressed! Killer deal on a very nicely equipped bike, I paid $312., and then I see a day later it was up to $390. or so. I missed the free shipping on Monday which would have saved me another $14. which is very reasonable from their Wyoming store to California. This bike feels lively and after a seat adjustment, this baby is dialed in. I told my sister to get one for her son's high school graduation, but they only had the 18.5" size and it is too large. Your right about the deal...best one I have seen on a bike. Anyone in the market for a mtb, should give it a look.

Or, when you use your cable cutters, put the ends on a grinder wheel to make them perfectly smooth.
That's what I do