Simko

Hola all, when i was 13 years old i got a biek, a 1999 Kona hahannah, 16" frame, standard model, no shocks.

I thought i outgrew the bike, and i was all set on getting somethnig new... realized bikes are still pricey (for what iwanted) so i adjusted the seat, and found out that its not bad riding.

However, i still want to do some work, or put some $$ into the bike so its a bit nicer. (seeing how i dont have to buy a new bike ill put money into this one)

so im 18 years old, 5'7, about 160 lbs

what ive got, the 16" chromoly kona, completely stock everything.

Ive got some pics ill show once photobucket loads them

what i want is

maybe an upgrade? like some better V brakes? the rears work good, but the front arent so hot
front suspension! dont need AMAZING, but something that can take some bumps

maybe new derailers? ill show you guys whati got, and maybe you can tell me what else i need to do to the bike


oh, i also want to run some wide. oversized tires, if this is posssible how is this done?

ill post the pics, asthey just finished loading, actually ill only post links, so it doesnt take up bandwith from the site.

So heres a side view of my bike:
https://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y29...h/DSCN3888.jpg

this is the rear derailer lable, i dont know anything about bike components, so this is the label:
https://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y29...h/DSCN3889.jpg

This is the front fork, i thought id take a pic to refference what im using rightnow, and how much room i have for bigger wider tires.

https://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y29...h/DSCN3890.jpg


These are the rapid fire shifters, and the brake levers i have
https://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y29...h/DSCN3891.jpg

comparing tires, my kona (the thinner ones) vs my dads bike, the Giant Warp, id really like to run tires like this on the kona, but if thats not possible, id like to move up to something thats atleast a bit wider than the stock konas

https://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y29...h/DSCN3892.jpg

Comparing the bikes, my dads is an 18.5" frame

https://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y29...h/DSCN3893.jpg


I know this is kinda of a weired request, but moneys tight, so i dont want to put a TON of money into this, i just want something i can commute with, and do some offroadin (no jumps or anything extreme)

t
hanks a lot in advance


-aaron

powers2b

Welcome to Bike Forums.

Enjoy

seely

Get it tuned up and hit the trails. 16" should still fit you well, and you don't *need* suspension on most singletrack trails anyways. The Kona P2 fork is a pretty nice fork, I have one on my singlespeed bike. At your size you could probably get away with a 2.3" tire up front running like 30-32psi for a little more give. Usually the rear is a little limited by clearance, but I did run a 2.2" ok on my old Kona. Or get a cheap suspension fork for now. But $50 for a tune up, and the bike should be good to go as is. The Tektro v-brakes are fine, maybe get better pads. I've been using them for a few years on my singlespeed with no problems.

Simko

Todah Rabah Seely , if you read this again....

the project2 's are pretty nice, but i found that wheni used to ride it, i still got bad wrist pains from shock bumps, i dont have trails in my area, its rooty, bumpy, rocky, and some sand ( i want the fatter tires so i have more surface area on the ground)

if i up the size of my tires, do i need to get new rims?

Simko

ok another question, if im going to be going through water and stuff, is ther anything i should put on the bike? fenders? chain guards? special pedals? new handlebar ?

el twe

Your wheels oughta be fine. For water riding, maybe fenders (if you dislike the mud spatter on the @$$), and when you're done with your ride, wipe down the bike just to remove any mud and water on it.

Simko

alrigfhy!

is there a special brand, or pattern of tire i should look for?

Simko

okay, i know im asking questions like crazy

found some tires, are these any good? is 2.1" considered to be oversized or wide?
https://www.webmountainbike.com/micwilgripho.html

https://www.webmountainbike.com/hutal.html

MarkD

Your bike looks absolutely fine at the moment. If you want to start replacing the mechanical things then just do it as they break. I replaced my saddle on my bike first as an "upgrade" then I went to town on it and have replaced everything except the seat post and handlebar. I keep on looking at new bikes but to get a new bike with equal spec to mine then I will have to spend around £800 just to gain a suspension fork.
Mine was/is a 1998 Raleigh Max Cromo 21spd(dont laugh) with basic everything and I paid £270 at the time. Now it is 27spd with LX shifters rear derailier and brakes, XT front mech and crankset and Deore hubs with Mavic rims and WTB Velociraptor tyres that are 2.1 inch wide. Might just buy a suspension fork but it is an inch threaded headset and forks for that are few and far between.
I see one occasionally that has been left as it was when it was wheeled out of the shop and mine looks like it's been on the steroids beside it.

A pic of it is here https://markdurkin.fotopic.net/p782391.html

seely

Well, a few questions to counter your question here...

1st, are you wearing cycling gloves?

2nd, is your wrist in a straight line with your arm when you are seated on the bike, gripping the grips with a finger or two on the brake lever?

3rd, is your grip too tight? You should be fairly loose and relaxed. I used to get wrist pain with my rigid bike, but addressing the above issues took care of it.

If you want to go for a shock, I think your setup is for a 1 1/8" steerer, so your options are open. Be forewarned than anything with over 60-80mm travel will mess up the handling of your bike a fair amount.

Also, for a new tire you shouldn't need a new rim. I don't think the rear matters as much as the front, width wise. I run a 2.4 front with a 1.95 in the rear in similar conditions and have found it to be quite a good combination. I didn't care for a bigger rear tire... it made the bike feel sluggish and gave the impression of sort of lazy handling. The smaller rear tire seems to carve better.

Simko

alrighty...

seely,no gloves, is there a specific kind i should look for?

whenever i ride, i have a couple fingers on the brake lever

ccant remember if theyre straight,just when i go bumpidy bump **** shakes me up


for forks, si there any particular brand? how are rockshock judys?

Where do you guys find 2.4 or bigger tires? the only ones i find are 2.1

spanky4x4

the first thing I would do is properly close the rear wheel quick release. other then that ,your bike looks fine. if everything works,ride it till something breaks. if budget is such a big deal,spend the money on things like padded gloves,and a better seat,or better yet. dont spend anything and just ride it.
you already have exactly what you say you want

operator

Unless you want to go 2kph when commuting, i'd suggest getting THINNER tires. Not oversized tires.

Simko

im going to be doing offroading, im not going to be a dedicated commuter, so i want the oversize for more surface area, when commuting i dontneed to be going fast.

jeff williams

Hey Aaron, the size of the tire you can run is physical, as the space between the chainstay or fork will only take X.
The fork will generally takes a larger tire. The rear, well..if you stay smaller, the bike will be faster, carve better. I run a 1.95 rear, 2.10 front.
A larger front with a lower psi can do as a little bit of a shock, also CF handlebars and padded gloves will help as well.


Your dads rear tire tread is backwards...

Simko

well im really not going to change his tires, thanks for the input tho, i woulda never known.

ill leave the back tires as is, but ill probly put the stock front tires on the rear, they have more tread.

id like some beeeeeeeeeeefy front tires

CF handlebar will absorb shock? is there a decent p[riced one? what are some good padded glove si should look for?

jeff williams

Nice tires, I don't run them..kinda pricey. 1.95. 2.10 are regular mtb (1.95 is more apt to be XC).
Then you go 2.3, 2.5 BIG, heavy.

Always run the most treaded tire front, as you cannot correct the front washing out. Old tire rear, new front. When you get the new front, put the current front rear. I also use cheaper tires rear as I wreck them twice as fast.
I have a nice Kevlar IRC soft rubber front, and an economy semi-slick rear.

CF bars absorb shock -so I've been told, maybe a $50 item? Gloves? Pads underside, maybe armour on top -sorry, no specific brands I can think of ..mine are not so great so I'll not be recommending them.

Simko

okay maybe ill look for cheaper, but i cant find any online that are 2.5 or around there, everythings 2.1

jeff williams

Use the search function, I saw a thread recently 'online canadian retailers' type in and see what comes up.
Also use google and click the 'search web pages from Canada'.
I'm in canuck land too -where are you?

>jef, Victoria, B.C.

Simko

Southwestern ontario

luke.harrison

www.bikeroom.com

Simko

if i find out the size of my wheels, is there a way to find out what the max width i can get for them?

is the pricing on the website per tire?

also, if i get a cf fork, is any a good one? because they are pricey.

Simko

wow went to that bikeroom site, damn i found a bunch of cool stuff, probly pointless, but hey, im a teenager, itsone of those phases

shopping list (so far)

https://www.bikeroom.com/mmMYBIKE/Ima...E/Q/HT2138.JPG

red salsa handle bar end plugs

https://www.bikeroom.com/mmMYBIKE/Ima...E/Q/HT2132.JPG
yellow salsa grips
https://www.bikeroom.com/mmMYBIKE/Ima...E/Q/HT3599.JPG

grip vibration padding

then theres tires:

https://www.bikeroom.com/Itemdesc.asp?ic=TR8252

Red 2.5" michelins

i still need to find handelbars, carbon fiber for shock absorbtion, and fi i get the padded gloves that should do good for shocks


the kona 2 fork, with fat tire, inflated, but not too stiff, tape, or padding on handlebars (what tape should i use?) , soft grips, plus padded gloves.

jeff williams

https://www.bikeroom.com/mmMYBIKE/Ima...E/Q/HT3599.JPG
What the hell? Looks like......?

Smaller firmer grips work better as you don't have to clamp down on them.
ODI hex off clamp system are good (pricy in Canada) but are really nice, the clamp ends mean you can simply hex key the collars and slide the grips off.

I could change out a lever in under 2 min. the rubber grip can be purchased seperatly when it wears.

Try the tire first, then some new grips....still too much vibe? Maybe the CF bars.
You realize these upgrades are into the $$ a bit.
Make sure it is stuff you can use.

Chill, read lots about gear https://www.mtbr.com/ Product reviews..search.

Simko

WOOOO

jeff i finally got the brakes working better!!!

i took of my dads front wheel to see if the fork could fit 2.5 inch tires in, and i think it can, ( i took pics and will show in abit)

took the chain of and soaked it in varsol, img goint to clean up everything , relube and put the chain back on

i need new grips as the kona's are coming off, but i guess ill just ride till its absoloutley necessary,. but ill try a n ew tire first and see what i can get locally.