Ksarge

Hi all,

New to mountain biking from Southeastern Pennsylvania and just picked up a little winter project. Hoping to get some tips as to what all I am missing here and will need to pick up. All in all I'm pretty stoked to pick-up another hobby and got the lot for 300 bucks so not in too deep yet.

What I Have:
All I really know is it's a Santa Cruz Superlight
-Maxxis High Roller 26x2.35 rear tire
-Kenda Nevegal 26x1.95 front tire
-Easton Monkey bars
-Shimano pedals and pedal assembly
-Misc gears
-Seat

What I Need:
-wheels
-brakes
-shifters and all driveline components/deraillers
-chain
-forks
-seat post
-stem
-headset
-grips

Any tips would be greatly appreciated!

Kevin

Kindaslow

What is your budget?

Not knowing that, I will still suggest XT components. They are great parts at reasonable prices. The Stan's wheels are good to great, depending upon budget.

hig4s

I would suggest Rockshox Pike DJ 26 100mm or 140mm Jensen has them for $499, or Jensen has a Fox 32 evo CTD 100mm for $299 or 120mm for $399

shimano hydraulic disc brakes, most versions work pretty well but, I suggest going with one of the versions with shorter levers and adjustable reach.

Ksarge

Thanks for the responses guys. I'd like to keep it under $700 total if possible which I'm sure is a little unrealistic since I'm already $300 in. I'll be buying most parts used and upgrading as time passes so would like to get it on the trails for under 700 to start and upgrade from there.

FrozenK

Look for a used Fox or RockShox Reba. Make sure they have a straight, not tapered steerer tube and 100mm travel.

You may be able to find a decent deal on used wheels since you are looking for 26-inch. If you find something with Stans rims that would make tubeless easier.

You have brake rotors, but who knows the condition? For brakes, if you are going to use mechanicals get Avid BB7. Not BB5, BB7 there is a huge difference. If you the hydro route, Shimano is the best bet. I have had good experience with Avid hydros, but I'm in the minority.

Drivetrain, you have cranks and a bottom bracket. Is square taper but it will get you going. Count how many sprockets are on the cassette you have and then look for used shifters and derailleurs to match (most likely 8 or 9 speeds) Buy a new chain, they aren't that expensive.

Seatpost and stem (what you called the handlebar clamp) I'd go to a bike shop and look at their take offs. People often upgrade the ones that come with their bike and shops will sell them for cheap. The shop may also be able to help you figure out what size seatpost you need (most likely 27.2 but don't take my word for it) You don't need to spend a lot of money for either of these items.

You will also need a headset, those are the bearings the fork spins on. And if you do reuse the tires that came with it you want the fatter one up front. I would buy new ones, because the High Roller ie a heavy DH tire and the Nevegals are ****.

I think keeping it under $400 will be difficult. The fork and wheels will probably take $250 to $300 for both. The drivetrain bits, brakes and miscellaneous (cables, grips, etc...) may be doable for $150 but you will have to shop around. Good luck.

Ksarge

Appreciate all the feedback, really good stuff. I'm not opposed to going over $700, just don't really have any idea what some of this stuff costs so my estimates are a little off.

Any opinions on this frame in general? I don't know much like I said and am wondering if I may be better off selling this frame off and picking up something different.

Thanks!

FrozenK

Is not a bad frame. I know several people who have it and like it. A bit outdated perhaps, but should be an ok bike to start with. Provided the shock is still functional, and it should be.

Be careful with the routing of the rear brake and front derailleur, they are known to rub and wear out a hole on the swingarm.

spokes5678

It looks like an early 2000 to 2005 frame before they changed the swing arm from cnc to welded around 05/06 .They also shifted production from the us to asia around this time.
You may have a us built frame there.
I had one of these and enjoyed the hell out of it, raced it, crashed it,slept with it ( not really. )
They're very tough bikes, I bought another one, a 2008 still ride the heck out of it.
The rear shock pivot bushing is very cheap and needs replacing frequently, the rear swing arm always has a loose feel , that's just the way single pivot bikes are, you don't notice it when you're riding it.
This bike was derived from the heckler way back in the mid 90's and believe it or not they're still making a 650b version today!
There's a website called mtbr which has a section called Superlight love where all the superlight nuts gather, and drool over everything, I think it's a cult.