Mountain Biking - Help out the super n00b. Rig, gear, and general plea for info

Hey guys. I've been lurking around the forum for most of the day and finally decided to sign up. Anyway, I've only had my bike now for about two months, and I've only been riding with any frequency for the last of that. My bike is bone stock except for the computer and water bottle cage, but now that I'm really getting into the sport I want to start looking into upgrading my gear.

As of now, I'm riding a Haro V-1, which I'm told is a beginners bike but has a solid frame that I can build on comfortably.

From what I've read so far, disc brakes aren't for me. I can only meander through intermediate trails, and my current brakes are more than adequate for throwing me over the bars. I don't feel very comfortable with my shifters/derailuers, and I know a set of clipless pedals are high on my list. But other than that I'm wondering what's considered must haves for anyone just starting to get into the sport?

I'm thinking:
Wheel set, hubs, deraileurs, shifters, and front fork should be targets on my bike "to-do" list?

Of the things you mentioned, wheels and fork are the changes that will give you the biggest "seat of the pants" change in how the bike feels. These are also components that are easy enough to swap onto another bike if that's what you decide to do later on. If you get a new wheelset, hubs will be included. You didn't mention what level equipment your derailleurs and shifters are...

a saddle that doesn't get you the nickname "numbnuts". don't go for the bowed type saddles.

a saddle that doesn't get you the nickname "numbnuts". don't go for the bowed type saddles.

Is there any one (brand, type) in particular that you would suggest?

Is there any one (brand, type) in particular that you would suggest?

not really.. jut try out some. and ask others for advice.

Is there any one (brand, type) in particular that you would suggest?

Brooks. Any flavor.

WTB has some nice saddles as well...

Saddles are personal. PErsonally I like SDG

Of the things you mentioned, wheels and fork are the changes that will give you the biggest "seat of the pants" change in how the bike feels. These are also components that are easy enough to swap onto another bike if that's what you decide to do later on. If you get a new wheelset, hubs will be included. You didn't mention what level equipment your derailleurs and shifters are...


These are the shifters that are on the thing:
http://www.harobikes.com/2004/v1/large/pic4.jpg

The deraileurs are shimano: FD-TY10(Front), Acera(Rear).

Ohhh Yeahhh! Upgrades in that department will be noticed right away. I would recomend going with LX level stuff, minimum. If you can afford it, get seperate shifters and brake levers, as it will give you more options later should you decide to upgrade (you would be able to change brakes or shifters without the cost of replacing both).

Ohhh Yeahhh! Upgrades in that department will be noticed right away. I would recomend going with LX level stuff, minimum. If you can afford it, get seperate shifters and brake levers, as it will give you more options later should you decide to upgrade (you would be able to change brakes or shifters without the cost of replacing both).

Whats the Max amount of $$$ you are willing to spend on upgrades?

We can point you in the right direction if we have an amount ;)

If you are a super noob then hone your talent with what ya got. When something brakes replace it with a better part. Use what you have now to learn so you do not destroy the higher end stuff.

So if you realy want to swap out for something better start with the pedals. Get some clipless. Since you will crash when you first start using them you will not have to worry about bustin' more expensive parts.

:beer:

If I'm not mistaken, the Haro V-1 is about a $300 bike right? It's a well built bike. I've always liked Haro's. They're a bit heavier, but that's good for a beginner as it'll hold up better to abuse. Haro comes from a BMX background and knows about abuse.

Personally, I wouldn't upgrade a thing on that bike. Ride it, learn some basic skills, ride it more. After at least 3 months of regular riding, consider upgrading the pedals to clipless as you mentioned. Wait though, learn how to handle the bike and get some "learning curve" out of your system. If you switch to clipless too soon, it'll be a detriment in the long run.

Besides the pedals, I would recommend a Hydration pack. Beginners shy away from them, but they are so beneficial as you tend to drink more water when wearing one.

Next, I'd buy some basic tools and learn some basic mechanics. Being able to tune and maintain your own bike will save you tons of money in the long run.

L8R

Next, I'd buy some basic tools and learn some basic mechanics. Being able to tune and maintain your own bike will save you tons of money in the long run.

L8R


Awesome adice, and thanks. I have already picked up a basic mechanics book on how to adjust deraileurs, brakes, and the such, and I even ripped an old--bent to all hell--24 inch wheel from an old cruiser to teach myself how to true it up.

I need some people to ride with, that's a given. I generally learn by watching other people, following in behind them, eating sh*t, getting up, and trying it all over again. I've already taken a few nasty spills trying to take on obstacles that I now realize are out of my riding level. But a fools got to learn, right?

I think I can leave the deraileurs alone for right now and manage to ride without a problem. I hate the shifters; they feel cheap. I've had to disassemble the housing after almost every ride to clean them out. They tend to pick up a lot of sand, dirt, and moisture that causes them to get very stiff and cause slipping.

I wouldn't mind dropping a $100 for my first set of upgrades. I by no way need top-end equipment, I just want something of a little better quality that can take abuse.

Here are possible options for your first upgrade for under $100:

Avid SD 7 brakes (http://pricepoint.com/detail.htm?stylepkey=11986&style_id=347%20AVD7K0&detailName=Avid%20Single%20Digit%207%20Brake%20Kit&dept_id=&deptName=&sub_id=&subName=&lprice=69.98&hprice=69.98)
I personally run these on my hardtail and they are probably the best rim brake you can find. $70 is a great price for brakes and levers.

Sram X.7 Shifter set (http://www.pricepoint.com/detail/12862-135_SRASD3_KIT-3-Parts-69-Shifters/Sram-X.7-Trigger-Shifter--w_-X.7-Rear-Derailleur-Set.htm)
Basically if you want to upgrade the shifters you proably want to upgrade at least the rear derailleur as well. This looks like a good level for you to upgrade to, but there are tons of other options. Take a look around that site.

Either of these (or both ;) ) would be a solid upgrade and will take a beating. Installing them is easy if you are mechanically inclined. I
d wait on a fork upgrade until you are comfortable riding some more technical stuff, then plan to drop about $200-$250 on a good fork.

This is an informative thread! What with many people's insistence on Haro=crap, I"d almost forgot how I liked the v.3 I rode last fall. I'm still shopping (buying a house put the crunch on cashflow- it'll do that...),
so how's that v1 treating you?

I too, am an uber n00b.

What with many people's insistence on Haro=crap, I"d almost forgot how I liked the v.3 I rode last fall. ...I too, am an uber n00b.

No one realy said it was crap. Only that it is a lower end bike and is heavy. The frame is sturdy and should last a long time and you can upgrade the components. haro does make some higher end bikes but that would be out of the budget and if it were not I'd suggest another company based on personal preferance.

If you liked the way it felt get it. Use it to learn on, be sure you enjoy the sport, then upgrade to something better as your skills get better.

:beer:

Guys, guys, devicta didn't ask whether he should upgrade or not, rather he asked for our advice on which parts to upgrade, and what to upgrade to. I agree with the idea that he should ride what he has for a while, but it does sound like he's due for new shifters anyway.

This is an informative thread! What with many people's insistence on Haro=crap, I"d almost forgot how I liked the v.3 I rode last fall. I'm still shopping (buying a house put the crunch on cashflow- it'll do that...),
so how's that v1 treating you?

I too, am an uber n00b.

As I was walking through the lines and lines of Cannondale, Trek's, other "higher dollar" bikes at the shop, I put my eye on the V-1 for a few reasons:

1.) I'm new to the sport, and I didn't know if I would get addicted to biking and justify the money I'd spend on a higher end bike. For the money, which was roughly $300, I got the V-1, which wasn't all that different from its bigger brothers. All three "V" series bikes share the same frame--this is all going off of what I've been told--yet their components are different. For an additional $200 (difference between the V-1 and V-2) you get upgraded wheels, brakes, and shifters.

2.) Out of the bikes available to me in my price rage, the Haro felt the most solid. I sat in the saddle of all three "V" series and gave them a ride around the store. The sales-guy is the one that pushed for me to get the V-1 and not the higher series Haro, for the sheer fact that the "upgraded" components weren't that much of an upgrade for the money spent. The bike is somewhat heavy, granted, but I figured for a first time bike that would be a good thing. I like to push things to their limit, and I have a hefty reputation for being very hard on my gear. I knew, and continue to know, that this bike and I will share some skinned knees and bleeding appendages, and I didn't want to be all-out fearful that I would break the thing if I took a spill.

3.) As weak as it sounds, the lifetime warranty on the frame sealed the deal. I know, it's fairly naive of me considering that nothing short of being run over by a tank is going to break the frame, but none the less it gave me a good feeling.

I'm loving the bike so far. I hoped on a Specialized that belongs to a friend and the only major differences I felt were in the components. My inability to spot fundamental differences between the bikes can be chalked up to ignorance, true. But for a beginner, I don't know what to look for. The brakes and shifters felt smoother, and the bike, overall, was lighter. As far as ridability, I kept up with him just fine with my stock Haro.

So I figure I'll ride this thing into the ground and use it to learn the basic skills. I'd like to try to lighten the bike up a bit and get some better wheels, brakes, and the such, but I'm happy with the thing as it is for now. I can see myself, some where in the far off future, upgrading my bike when my skill has increased, but that won't be for a while.

Sram X.7 Shifter set (http://www.pricepoint.com/detail/12862-135_SRASD3_KIT-3-Parts-69-Shifters/Sram-X.7-Trigger-Shifter--w_-X.7-Rear-Derailleur-Set.htm)
Basically if you want to upgrade the shifters you proably want to upgrade at least the rear derailleur as well. This looks like a good level for you to upgrade to, but there are tons of other options. Take a look around that site.


I think I would have to change my cassette (am I using the right terminology here) as well if I upgraded to these. My bike is currently a 7-speed.

The problem with your bike is when you want to change one thing, you have a cascade affect due mostly to your integrated shifter/brake levers.

By the time you buy new shifter (pods), new brake levers, new brakes and new derailleurs, plus a new chain, cassette and possibly new chainrings, you could buy a complete NEW bike.

I'd ride it like it is, learn how to adjust your derailleurs and brakes yourself to fine tune them, and then "RIDE IT LIKE YOU STOLE IT!".

If after a year or so, you realize you're really into mountain biking, then invest is a mid-range bike suited to your particular style of riding.

L8R

Well i'm a newbie too, and just wanted to say that i recently bought clipless pedals at the T.O bike show and they RULE!! I bought the...er..i think Shimano 515 (one sided flat, other sided clips) cuz i figured if i go to campus i can just use flats. Boy, was i wrong! After couple days of clipless, i hate the platform on the other side! It's so annoying and it's sooooo easy to clip in and clip out. (On the easiest tension of course) Neways, you should buy some airwalk shoes..those r good...i got mine for $40 CDN with the cleats. So i think you should upgrade to pedals first :) You'll see the massive difference, especially on hills.