Mountain Biking - New bike, tuner tips

Howdy all, I need some help. I'm buying this bike tomarrow once Mom gives her ok. http://seattle.craigslist.org/see/bik/595901479.html I'm used to tuning RC cars and and like custom stuff so I want so ideas for tuning my bike to make it better riding. My friens bike is pretty tight and he told me to take of the levers on the end of the handlebars and take off the accordian lookig things on the front (forget what he called them?). I want to ride hard this weekend so I need to fix this thing up fast.

Big mods coming as soon as I save up!

THX

Um...there's not any real reason to remove the "accordian things", and you should at least try the bar ends before you remove them...you might like the extra hand positions. Doesn't really sound like your friend knows what he's talking about...

Howdy all, I need some help. I'm buying this bike tomarrow once Mom gives her ok. http://seattle.craigslist.org/see/bik/595901479.html I'm used to tuning RC cars and and like custom stuff so I want so ideas for tuning my bike to make it better riding. My friens bike is pretty tight and he told me to take of the levers on the end of the handlebars and take off the accordian lookig things on the front (forget what he called them?). I want to ride hard this weekend so I need to fix this thing up fast.

Big mods coming as soon as I save up!

THX

I sure hope you don't plan to pay $300 for that.

DONT pay 300 for it. offer him maybe 100-150

the "levers" have a purpose and are useful for climbing - recommend you try them before you ditch. removing the "accordian things" doesn't provide that much more performance value either.

/edit:what kramnim (how do you speeel that) said

To me, adjusting seat angle and brake lever reach are a minimum.

Anyone notice the RD in the lower left photo? Looks trashed.

http://images.craigslist.org/01011001040201030420080304195c652cd36316d8f400307e.jpg

Looks like chain may be a link too short, but (through the fuzziness of the pic) the derailleur looks fine to me.

Go to the Park Tool or Sheldon Brown websites and read up!

A deraileur and brake tune up would be a good idea. Make sure the wheels are straight, the tires inflated, go for a ride and see if you need to make ergonomic adjustments. That's about all you should need unless stuff is worn out.

I wouldn't go removing anything until you understand what it's for, why it's there, and whether or not life would be better without it. Bar ends (lever things) and dust boots (accordian things) are two things you probably want to re-consider removing. They have uses.

Looks like chain may be a link too short, but (through the fuzziness of the pic) the derailleur looks fine to me.

It looks angled, like it hit a rock and is now twisted. Maybe not though, hard to tell.