andywithglasses

I just purchased a new '06 Hardrock (I know, not the best) but I am just getting started. The trails here are pretty good (Winona Lake, IN) - good enough for the Big 10 to have a comp here. Anyway, my bike is completely standard right now, and I didn't know what the first thing to upgrade to be. Obviously I need to upgrade my fork eventually, but is that the most important?

I'm 5' 11" and about 140lbs. I normally ride to get to class and back (commute) but I've fallen in love with riding the trails here and would like to go somewhere better for Spring Break. Any input is valuable. Thanks much.

scr1be

from what i've gathered by reading this site, just upgrade parts that wear out or break as you use your bike. apparently there is no need to really upgrade yet unless you really feel like you need to for a certain reason. for instance, if the seat that came with the hardrock is uncomfortable for you, then you can upgrade that.

mtnbiker66

For right now just ride it and have fun.The more you ride the more you'll know how you want your bike to ride.Get some time on it first.

dhfd

I'd upgrade the groupo as the part(s) wear out, but the first thing I changed out on my ('01) Giant XtC se1 was the saddle. I also changed the handlebar w/ an Easton CF low rise...there was manufacturer's coupon, so it was a pretty good deal. Right now, I'd like to put some different tires on it, nothing too major

cryptid01

For once I agree with mtnbiker66's assesment. Ride it stock 'til there's a problem, then upgrade. (Start saving $ now, though)

xshim_myx

yea i was about to post the same thing...

Callaway

For sure. Break it in before you are worried about upgrading- but like gastro said- start saving now- especially if a new fork is already on your brain

MtbVA

first & cheapest upgrade are your skills.
Just get out and ride.
As you ride you will notice what to upgrade.
Tires, seats, grips, brake pads are simple things that can make a difference in handling & comfort. Other than that it's only worth upgrading if a part has broken or is not working properly.

jvhuse

Where is Winona Lake? Do you go to Purdue? I am a Freshmen here in W. Lafayette and just bought an 05 Rockhopper today, and would like to ride some trails this weekend. I already love this thing. Feels like I am flying compared to my old 45 dollar Walmart bike. I imagine your bike feels the same way for you

MattP.

Exactly. You'll know what you will want to upgrade as you ride. You might notice that your shifting is a little sketchy, then you would upgrade the derailleur and shifters.

You'll know when and what you want to upgrade as time passes.

rmwun54

I agree with everyone here about putting in the riding time first before you assess what to upgrade. But in the meantime learn everything you can about the bike, like how to true the rims, adjust the brake and shifting cables, keeping the chain lube, making sure the brake pads are hitting the rims correctly, making sure you are fitted for the bike correctly (your reach from seat to bar, sitting reach to the pedal, and tilt of the saddle).

Brian

If you've got money burning a hole in your pocket, save it. Until you find yourself limited by your equipment, there's no need to upgrade anything. The only exception being some lock-on grips, if you don't have them on there already.

Blazinall91

the advice ride it then buy what breaks or you need is good advice indeed.

MasterSezFaster

Since you are just getting started the very first upgrade should be you skill level Do not worry about components until they start wearing out/breaking or the bike is no longer able to keep up with you.

As Expatriate said, if you have the money save it. Add to it and when and if your skill level surpasses your current ride then you will be able to get a better ride. It will also give you time to figure out what type of trails you prefer to ride. You may end up getting a xc bike, freeride/dh bike or perhaps an all-moutain bike.

Also, if you save the money, you could get a better bike later on and you can keep the old one as a beater or something to let friends ride or use it as a way to get a future girl friend/boy friend into the sport. If you were to get a fr/dh bike then you will still have the old one for the trail riding.

MSF

andywithglasses

Here's a Map

Looks like I'm about 2 hours from you, 40 minutes west of Fort Wayne. If you're ever heading up here, let me know and I'll come out and ride with you.

mrk

Maybe it's just me, but I'd upgrade those horrible pedals...

They hurt.

andywithglasses

My legs are all torn up too, real bad. Little cuts about every half inch up and down my calves! I'd like to upgrad them, but I kind of hesitant to go clipless (which I'd guess to be the next step?) What did you upgrade to?

FF 6800

yeah, when i got my hardrock, my legs/calves were shredded up, i moved to toe clips and after about 4 months i moved to clipless. the toe clips help i tried clipless when i had regular platform pedals and hated them. the toe clips kinda helped me get used to being kind-of locked in but the first day i got clipless, i still fell. i suggest gettin toe clips and then clipless. toe clips are very inexpensive(~20 bucks)
good luck

andywithglasses

I've had toe clips before and thought they just got in the way, espically when I just wanted to jetset to the convience store or whatever. I was looking at a pair of Shimano PD-M324 pedals, they say they are good for beginners and in addition they have clipless one side, platform on the other. Most people I've talked to online say they are great to start out and then to pass on to a friend once I get the hang of it.

dirtyamerican

Like people are saying, get a better "feel" for the bike with more saddle time. The best upgrade you can do to noticably improve your bike is get a better fork. Hard Rocks are great bikes even though they're cheap as hell. They're cheap because many of the components are cheap. Get a new fork first. And only when anything else breaks or wears out is when you should upgrade the other stuff. If you spend the amount of time that you should be spending on your bike then the chain, cassette and front gears will need replaced almost annually. Your shifting will start going bad in about a month or so because the shifter cables (and brake cables too) will start stretching. Make sure you get that free tune-up that your LBS probably promised unless you know how to do it. And that brings up another point: learn how to do all your own work on the bike. It saves so much time and money you won't believe it! And tools are worth every penny you spend on them...

Happy riding!

willtsmith_nwi

At 140, you're unlikely to break very many things very soon. If the money is really burning in your pocket, I'd suggest you take the dive on the clipless. Don't worry about falling, everybody does. And you'll fall anyway, that's MTB ;-)

I would recommend against the "1-sided" pedals. You will have too much time clipping in on the trails. Rather, a platform/clipless on both sides is best. Examples of these are the Egg Beater Mallets or Time-Z. You will be happier if you don't buy Shimano pedals. They clog up in the mud making it difficult to clip and unclip.

The other items I would suggest are a cyclo-computer, mini-pump and a Camelbak.

If you have a 2005 drivetrain, you may consider an upgrade to SRAM. X-7 and above are all great. The new Specialized stuff ships with SX-5/SX-4 stuff on the lower end. It's still better than that Shimano Alivio stuff (due to 1:1 actuation ratio), but it still ain't great.

matheprat

If you are allready thinking about upgrading and spending more money, why didn't you just buy a better bike to start with?

igno-mtb

the first thing i upgraded on my rockhopper that needed no replacement by over usage was the tires, they suck, the get flat every ten miles, everything else works great

mrk

I got Mallets, which has a platform along with clipless, so you can ride on the platforms before you're ready to go clipless.

dirtbikedude

Dito.

Think about it, a good fork will run ya 300$ (low end GOOD fork), drive tran I'll give ya 200 on that, brakes 200 (might as well get good hydros), now were up to 700$ and what did you pay for the bike? 300 more $$ and you can get your self a top of the line HT or a decent entry level FS.

Just replace things as they break. If you find you realy like the sport then save up for a better bike with the components you will want.

DBD