Mountain Biking - The most important upgrade?

Hi everyone,

What is the most important up grade you can make and why?

Thanks

It's a bit hard to say for me. It depends on your riding a bit too I guess. Someone lookign for weight savings would probably look elsewhere than someone looking for sheer strength.
The upgrade that affects how your ride feels the most is the fork in my opinion. After that, maybe wheels both for strength and weight.

The most important upgrade you can make is to your riding skills.

Other than that, it depends on where, how, and what you ride (i.e., your terrain, riding style, how good your bike is to begin with).

We mostly ride cross country / enduro. lost of climbing
Thanks for your reply.
How would wheels make a difference in how the bike feels?

We mostly ride cross country / enduro. lost of climbing
Thanks for your reply.
How would wheels make a difference in how the bike feels?

Stock wheels are usually much heavier than a nice aftermarket set.

Depends on the bike, and what type of riding you do. Probably the brakes?

Brakes

I would have to vote tires. However, that comes second to improving the engine.

You must admit that this is kinda the wrong question to ask.

You need to ask yourself "what do I want my bike to do".

Example:
I want my bike to quit bending wheels on drops. Replace wheels with tough ones, and hone landing skill.
... to accelerate much quicker. Replace wheels/tires with lighter ones and ride more to build strength.
... shift more precisely. Replace either rear derailleur or shifters or both. (or maybe just cables)
... to stop quicker. Replace brake pads or tires...or go with a better braking system altogether.

If you're just getting "upgrade fever" and want to replace something then you really need to list your bike with complete spec's. Otherwise, replace what is broken or worn out.

I'm working on my hardtail right now. I replaced my whole drivetrain b/c it was 8-speed and the chain and cassette were worn out. Instead of replacing chain and cassette with 8-speed, I wanted to go 9-speed. I got LX Hollowtech II crankset with X.9 R. Der. and shifters matched with an LX F. Der.

My wheel bearings are seriously in need of their 3rd rebuild. I don't really care for my current wheels, so instead of paying for another rebuild or for cone wrenches...I may just get some wheels with sealed bearings. This will get me wheels with longer life, smoother bearings, laterally stronger, and ultimately lighter which will make my bike accelerate quicker.

I have sent my fork to Rockshox to be re-built. (warranty) If I had to pay someone to rebuild a Rockshox Pilot, I would probably just upgrade to a fork worthy of rebuilding like an R7 or Fox Float.

So honestly, is your bike performing poorly or do you just want to trick it out?

wheels

Hi everyone,

What is the most important up grade you can make and why?

Thanks

Depends what deminishes your ride the most....or whatever breaks first.

My upgrades so far went in this order. Stem, tyres, pedals, tyres, bashguard. In terms of necessity, BB and chainrings will be upgraded to something more heavy duty next (chainrings warped, BB creaking and getting worse even after some grease and attention). In terms of 'want' it'll be clipless pedals, and maybe hydros.

whatever is broken

It really depends, I would probably upgrade my contact points to my liking. Grips, shifters, pedals, seat.

If you're looking for weight savings, get a nice set of wheels. Shaving 1 lb of the wheels is essentially equivalent to shaving off 3 lbs of static weight...

Hi everyone,

What is the most important up grade you can make and why?

Thanks

most buy a bike with the components they like...but the first thing I always see replaced is the saddle...for some reason, a saddle thats made to fit most, fits none

I like long distance riding, so I always put on the most comfortable seat I can find.

skill skill and skill....if you buy a stock bike, ride until the parts fall apart then change them. The only thing I would change to fit yourself is sizing parts like stem length, seatpost angle, maybe clip lock and tires.

The frame!! If yours is too old, doesnt perform as well, doesnt fit to you/your style of riding, definately the frame!

Upgrade the rider,it's only as good as you are.

Suspension, frame, or Wheels. It's a toss up.

Upgrade the rider,it's only as good as you are.

+2

if your bike comes with a crappy fork like mine did, thats the most important upgrade. saved me like 2 lbs and my psylo soaks up everything i can throw at. wheels are next for me. although my stock ones are strong, theyre still low end, heavy, and the freewheel is on the verge of breaking all together.

How does shaveing 1lbs off of your wheels make such a big difference? I have 117 mavics 900 and some thing klgrams.

Upgrade the rider,it's only as good as you are.


Yeah, good point, mtnbiker! :D

I would argue that the fork is the most significant upgrade. Upgrading to a good fork verses some of the cheap forks on most entry level bikes will make a HUGE difference.

From there I agree with those who say, "WHEELS" or rotational mass, meaning, tires, tubes, rims...etc.

The 1 to 3 means that if you reduce your rotational mass, it will "feel" like you've reduced your static weight. Your bike will accelerate quicker, handle faster and feel livelier. This is due in part to the gyroscopic effect your wheels have on your bike.

Getting new wheels is expensive, but you can easily shave .5 lb off your bike just by going to a lighterweight tire.