Mountain Biking - suggestions for new stem?

Hey all

Just got into mountain biking and bought my first bike in 6 years a few days ago and am in the process of upgrading it. It's an 97 offroad pro flex bike with Rockshox Indy C, Shimano Deore LX shifter, no name tires/hubs, and an ancient GT seat.

Has a solid handle bar stem so i figured the first thing would be to get an adjustable stem, anyone have any suggestions for one? I've been looking but i'm sort of in the dark about the whole thing. Might be in the market for a good saddle as well, not sure i want to stick with the ultra circulation cutter or not.

Also any other suggestions for any other good upgrades i'll be happy to hear them, i'm mostly gonna be doing alot of mudding and riding down rough dirt roads, maybe some offroad stuff. I don't think i'm quite ready for any freeriding.

thanks

-Ray

http://homepage.mac.com/dhagerl/GarageSaleImages/GarageSale_1150143933_1023.jpg

My first suggestion is: Try 1 bottle carrier, 2: A new saddle, try the specialized BG saddles, very nice and comfortable. 3, Rough dirt roads/mudding= NEW TIRES..... (if you need em') 4, R U doing any juming or anything, idk what forks you have but they look outdated. i'll look for some stems too, because thats exactly what i'm shopping for!

Get rid of the toeclips.

Yes the nerdy toe clips are going along with the rear rack and 1 bottle carrier, the front fork is an older Rock Shox Indy C which is staying more then likly seeming even tho it's an old part but it's in brand new condition.

I was thinking about getting a new saddle but wasn't sure, the one on there is a GT but it's old and about as comfortable as a 2x4.

I'm going to be going thru rough terrian and mud, I probably won't be doing jumps for awhile just so I can get the hang of riding on rough stuff again, haven't even been on a bike in 6 years. So are there any suggestions for new tires that would be up to the task? Should I invest in some name brand rims as well?

thanks all

-Ray

I wouldnt upgrade the rims until you prove capable of wrecking the current ones. New saddle if you find the current one uncomfortable. I second the specialized bg ones, I have one and like it alot. If the tires grip, keep em till they are worn out unless you really want new ones. If the bike has clearence for 2.3 tires, i like the continenal gravitys, very grippy. Lose the rack, keep the second cage if you go on long rides and want the extra water, screw the fashin police there.

Looks like you might have a 1" steerer, hard to tell from here to me although someone might be along to clarify that point. I'd take it to a bike shop and have them have a look at it for you and see what options they might have laying around.

To be honest, i think for someone just getting back into the sport, the bike is pretty much good to go bar rack and saddle. Good luck and let us know how things progress :)

If you're just starting out, find a seat that works for you if the GT isn't good, ditch the rack and don't spend another dime on that bike. Ride it for three months, then go into a bike shop and test ride some new bikes. If you still prefer your Pro-flex, then start swappeing out parts as they break. It's entirely possible that you will walk out of a shop after a few test rides with a new bike...

wow thanks for all the helpfull info guys, once i get her fixed up i'll either post another pic here or on a separate thread, for now i think i'm just going to get a saddle and take the rack off and then take her out. I checked out some full suspesion bikes from Trek but i'm not really sure i like trek all that much as a company, they seem to make quality bikes and my ma just bought a road bike from em. The full suspension was 400 bucks tho and it didn't really tickle my fancy in the looks department, so i just bought this for about a 1/3 of the price.

I was lookin at some rockhoppers and iron horses for a future purchase if i really get into it, but we'll see.

thanks again all

-Ray