Any upgrade suggestions for my ride??
 

This is my bike. I use it to travel to my office (16kms round trip) and to travel around town (I am from Costa Rica). It is also my MTB, however, since I am visiting less the mountains and the beaches, I have it set up for city riding (and will continue as this for some time :P).

I Will keep the Fox fork since here you dont have the finest roads around! (it also has remote lock)

I am currently using Hutchinson 1.7 slicks, been contemplating changing to some schwalbe big apples or marathons (2.10) but not sure...

I will add the topeak MTX DeFender for the beam rack to cover the back, but I am unsure about any fenders on the front. Also currently using a MTX trunk bag and it is sufficient for my needs (not much in terms of loading)

I would like to ask you for any suggestions or improvements, opinions on what to change on my commuter (i.e. 700 wheels?, another rack for the back?) ... and the reasoning why you would think it will improve my bike!, thanks!!

Here some pics!
http://i211.photobucket.com/albums/b...e/DSC_0481.jpg
http://i211.photobucket.com/albums/b...e/DSC_0478.jpg
http://i211.photobucket.com/albums/b...e/DSC_0482.jpg
http://i211.photobucket.com/albums/b...e/DSC_0484.jpg
http://i211.photobucket.com/albums/b...e/DSC_0485.jpg
http://i211.photobucket.com/albums/b...e/DSC_0486.jpg

Nice rig. Fenders. Full coverage. They're tricky to mount w/a suspension fork, but doable. Stay w/the tires as anything bigger will slow you down alot.

Or make a cheap, dedicated commuter from an older mtb or roadbike and set this bike up for off-roading. The 2 disciplines are almost polar opposite. For commuting the idea is consistancy and cost limit. For off-roading it's crazy, fun, technical and hard riding that's tough on equipment. Taco a wheel and you're stuck riding on public transportation for a while.

2nd bike. Set up for commuting. That's my $0.02. :thumb:

Thanks for the suggestion. Will see what fender options I can find around here (nobody uses fenders, not sure why). I opted for a MTB commuter, since there are many shortcuts with not very well conditioned roads, making a more fun ride. I should add that I travel to my own office (no boss), so it doesn´t matter if I get dirty :-P

Only problem with a second bike is due to space at home. I have a 6 month old baby and he is taking all the available space/funds jeje...

Personally I would change out the fork, especially if you are locking it out all the time. Why carry the weight? Plus you could get a fork with fender eyelets and go full coverage fenders and use P clamps in the rear. Other than that, nice rig.

Muy chevere la bici. I was going to recommend more of a road style entirely, but then I wondered what kind of terrain you're dealing with there and then you answered the question before I could ask. I lived in south america for a while and many of the roads were dirt and perpetually muddy during certain times of the year, but I've never been to Costa Rica (though I would like to.) So the setup you have is probably ideal unless you want to buy a cyclocross bike which is always my first option as a commuter. So yeah, fenders would go a long ways in keeping you and your bike clean.

Looks like a very nice bike. I would get clipless pedals but that's more a personal preference.

If you ride in the rain (and don't like getting mud/rain all over your front + drivetrain) I'd get a full front fender.


But if it ain't broke...

Rigid fork, full fenders for commuting.

thanks for your inputs...much appreciated!
I want to keep current fox fit suspension since roads are bad here, will see what kind of fenders I might be able to get around here (or import). I have clipless pedals, but I am currently more in the mood for flats (might try the Ergon pc2 that look tempting for casual shoes). Still unsure about trying some ballon tires, as I have not used them, but might think they can actually be good compromise for a not so slow but comfy ride... if they do absorb nice, I might be tempted to get a carbon rigid fork with them (again, would need to import since nothing around here :P)