rweakley

This is cross posted on MTBR.com, hope that is allowed!

Hello all. I have recently gotten into XC riding. I have a Raleigh Mojave 5.0, mostly stock except for a set of SPD pedals and shoes. I was looking to shave some weight and my local bike shop offered to sell me an $800 wheelset. My budget is not that high. I was able to locate an Easton XC One wheelset (1590 grams) which can be fitted with a cassette and two rotors for a grand total of $500. I was going to keep my stock wheelset loaded up with a pair of slicks for when I want to take it out with the family on a concrete path. The caveat to this is the wheels are an '07 model and I don't know how much longer until this particular shop sells out and has only the $700 (without cassette and rotors) '09 model.

The stock fork is a Suntour XCT with 75mm travel and preload as the only adjustment. I plan on upgrading this to a Recon Race Solo Air with 100mm travel.

I can do one upgrade now and one upgrade in January because of the money issue. Is there a concrete order in which you should upgrade your bike? If so, what is it?

Also, the cassette only comes as an 11-32 and 11-28 teeth. My stock is an 11-30. If I go with one of these will the stock chain be okay or will it need to be lengthened/shortened. Again, I'd like to retain use of my stock wheels with slicks on them.

Hope my question is clear, and thanks in advance for your response!

kramnnim

Honestly, it really doesn't make a lot of sense to spend $500+ upgrading a $450 bike, unless you're planning to eventually upgrade the frame, and move all the new parts over...

Depending on your chain, you might be able to use the 32t cog without adding a link...it's hard to say for sure without looking at it. You'd be fine using the 28T without shortening anything.

The new fork would probably be a more noticable difference than the wheels. Get some new kevlar bead tires and you'll lighten the wheels a bit for a lot less...should help until January.

Are you intending to stick with an 8 speed rear cassette?


I really think you'd be better off selling your old bike and spending the money on one you won't need to immediately upgrade- this one, for example. https://www.jensonusa.com/store/produ...p+Bike+07.aspx

ed 

+1

z415

Definitely, it adds up quick and I would just replace as needed.

z415

1. going from a 75mm to a 100mm fork might drastically change the handling of you bike, not to mention will change where pressure goes to what part of your frame. If you bought a $2000 XC bike and slapped on a 140mm fork, it could snap your frame in half. This isn't as big a difference, but could still not end well.

2. replace when worn is a lot cheaper

Good luck.

ed 

ed 

You will be fine with a 100mm travel fork. You may actually enjoy the slacker feeling and more stability in aggressive situations.

I'd still keep that one for a beater and save for a decent rig. (or indecent depending on the price )

santiago

Whatever breaks or wears out first.

rweakley

Well I figured, since I was going to spend over $900 anyways, I'd go ahead and do it now. I bought a Cannondale Rush 6 to hold me over until I can get what I really want. It was totally unlike my normal financial decisions, but I invested $$$ in my dad's company and made 30% return. Figured I'd splurge a little and save the rest for retirement 35 years down the road.

Thanks for all your advice and saving me from spending my money on two new parts for a cheap bike! This was a much better use of my cash. The price tag on the bike was $1300, but the LBS had it on sale for $950.

I'll keep the Raleigh as a "trash bike" as the LBS shop guy says.

mtnbiker66

Were do you kids get this stuff...... Would you be worried if someone pulled a 80mm fork and installed a 145mm fork. Would you dare ride a bike like that?

z415

Crap, I was assuming you would do what the fork was intended for. I wasn't thinking, ha ha. I bring humor!



Now imagine someone taking a Specialized Stumpjumper FSR with a RS Boxxer and doing stuff you see in Kranked....

I suppose I'm not that ballsy.

ed 

Yes...because that's applicable...like taking a Bullit and throwing a MarzAM on it and riding the bike path like an old fart does on the weekend.

mtnbiker66

It has nothing to do with being ballsy. I am doing what the fork was intended for as well as the frame....trail riding. Most people around here that throw big stuff are on the right type of bike. Why would a 2000 dollar Xc rig snap before a 800.00 rig?

mtnbiker66

....but it won't snap in half and leave me a bloody mess.

santiago

Oh no, you didn't!

ed 

I believe that all threads should end with an elderly joke or a Cheetoed component.

troie

How much does your bike actually weigh? Unless youre racing or just pathetically weak, there is not point in upgrading your bike just to save weight. If you must, replace your tires first.

kramnnim

Cheers, enjoy the bike!

JamesonM

Hey im sorta new to free ride biking and i just screwed up the bike i have now which is a pk7-Vertical which i got at target two years ago. So im looking into jumping/freeride bikes in the 400-600 dollar price range. I found this mongoose bike called the FireBall and before i settle for this bike i wanted to know if there are any other good low priced bikes that are jumping/freeride bikes w/ hardtail and disk brakes. if any one can help me i would appreciate it.

ca7erham

^^^^^^^^^^
Didn't you already post that in the on another thread?

kenhill3

Probably just Pete.

cryptid01

Your Hardy Boy skills have failed you this time, although your paranoia is amusing.

Just let it go man.

kenhill3

Paranoia, hardly. More like amusement.

But just as well to let it go, as you suggest.