Mountain Biking - Tires

Starting to think about putting the bike away (yeah, I know..) but I'm also thinkin about getting ready for spring. My tires from 2003 are pretty much toast and that's near the top of my list. What would you recommend for some decent and cheap tires? I want some good grip for the dirt without sacrificing too much rolling resistance.

Next subject is wheels. Mine are alright but, pretty much only for visual purposes, I want them black. Where might some wheels for cheap, in black, that aren't too heavy or fragile?

Also, disk brakes. I know my fork isn't compatible with them but I want to run 'em in the rear. Again, cheap is good. Not sure if I'm gonna be able to swing this one though.

How much am I looking at if I want to rebuild the hubs and such? Those, too, are original and starting to show it. It's probably just out of alignment but I figure a general idea can't hurt much :)

Yeah, that went a bit beyond tires...

Starting to think about putting the bike away (yeah, I know..) but I'm also thinkin about getting ready for spring. My tires from 2003 are pretty much toast and that's near the top of my list. What would you recommend for some decent and cheap tires? I want some good grip for the dirt without sacrificing too much rolling resistance.

Next subject is wheels. Mine are alright but, pretty much only for visual purposes, I want them black. Where might some wheels for cheap, in black, that aren't too heavy or fragile?

Also, disk brakes. I know my fork isn't compatible with them but I want to run 'em in the rear. Again, cheap is good. Not sure if I'm gonna be able to swing this one though.

How much am I looking at if I want to rebuild the hubs and such? Those, too, are original and starting to show it. It's probably just out of alignment but I figure a general idea can't hurt much :)

Yeah, that went a bit beyond tires...

addressing one thing at a time:

Tires. I haven't had very much experience with tires. It all depends on the type of riding you do. For my riding (most XC), the stock Resolution 2.1 does the job.

By wheels I assume you mean wheelsets, but then you talk about the hubs too, but still assuming you mean wheelsets, these are a good match:

http://www.jensonusa.com/store/product/WH707A17-Shimano+Deore+Discrhyno+Lite+Wheelset.aspx

http://www.jensonusa.com/store/product/WH707A22-Shimano+Xt+Discsingletrack+Wheelset.aspx

Don't bother with the disks. Braking power in the back is useless without equally power stuff in the front. It seems most beginners like to use the rear more, but the front brake does about 90% (or some large number) of the work. Its actually incredibly difficult to flip over the bars if your technique is right. Anyhow, don't bother with the disks in the back. Either get a different fork as well, or just get a nice pair of Avids.

Starting to think about putting the bike away (yeah, I know..) but I'm also thinkin about getting ready for spring. My tires from 2003 are pretty much toast and that's near the top of my list. What would you recommend for some decent and cheap tires? I want some good grip for the dirt without sacrificing too much rolling resistance.
go to nashbar
Next subject is wheels. Mine are alright but, pretty much only for visual purposes, I want them black. Where might some wheels for cheap, in black, that aren't too heavy or fragile?
pricepoint has a disc wheelset from shimano for about 90 bucks
Also, disk brakes. I know my fork isn't compatible with them but I want to run 'em in the rear. Again, cheap is good. Not sure if I'm gonna be able to swing this one though.
waste of money, if not in the front don't get the rear, you get between 75-85% of your braking power from the front brake. V-brakes can easily lock up a rear wheel
How much am I looking at if I want to rebuild the hubs and such? Those, too, are original and starting to show it. It's probably just out of alignment but I figure a general idea can't hurt much :)

Yeah, that went a bit beyond tires...

i have to type a message dso here it is

Stig,

I wouldn't reccomend discs at a cheap level to my fiercest of enemies. A good set of v's set up correctly will stop better than a set of cheap disc brakes.

For hubs, take two 16 or 17mm cone wrenches to adjust the bolts, if you can get them to spin freely with out any play, you have gotten them adjusted.

Wheels if you want get the wheels black for cheap, get the cassette off with a lockring tool and block off the hub and braking surface on the rims and spray the rest with black spray paint.

For tires: JensonUSA has a deal on the 26x2.0 Hutchinson Python in the wirebead for $11.

I thought about the spraypaint, but wouldn't the brakes just take it off? OH wait, just reread your post. Hmm...

Thinking about it my brakes now are probably fine, or will be once I get pads. Lever goes to the bar before I really feel anything O.o

And I scored myself some free tires + pads, so I guess we're all good! Depending on the tires, though, I may still replace them. We shall see.

*sigh*

Discovered a bent rim this morning. Yay.

*Adds bike to the expense list, at the bottom :( )*

Wheel World has acceptable prices on wheels occasionally.....
http://wheelworld.com/itemlist.cfm?category=166

if you end up needing new tires anyway, just tell us.

ill second the 2 wheelsets at jenson, both of which i was going to suggest anyway.

Upon further inspection..

The tires are done
Brake pads are done
Quite a few sprockets are showing some nasty wear
Bearings in the fork are going bad
Seat is shot
Derailer looks bent, but works.

Combine that with getting my car on the road and replacing my camera with my total funds of $155... bleh.

just thinking out loud here, have you thought of buying a cheap used bike, actually worth the money, maybe something like your bike, for an extremely low price, and swapping parts on to your current bike, then selling all the stuff left over that you can sell, and make some/all the money back.