Joecool85

Hi, I have a 2004 rincon and I wanted to remove the largest chainring so I could replace it. I looked up online how to do it and found I was right, it should come off with a few allen head bolts. Problem. The rincon doesn't have allen head bolts, they are totally smooth inside and out and the back of it looks like its some sort of press on rivit type deal. I don't know how to get them off short of dremeling. If I do that, where can I get new bolts for it?

willtsmith_nwi

Your crank is welded together. You can't screw it apart, it has screwed you. You are beginning to experience the downfall of buying a cheap mountain bike (like Rincon). Your parts will systematically fail and you will learn a lot replacing them.

You need to buy a new crank. Check your LBS for options. A replacement for you cheapo crank should cost a minimum of $40. Good ones will cost $60 and upwards (I just picked up Deore cranks for $60). Your bottom bracket will limit your choices. Though, if it is an ISIS interface, you should consider scrapping the bottom bracket as well as it will soon scrap itself like every other ISIS BB. Octalink or 2 piece cranks are the way to go.

Joecool85

Really? Is my rincon really that bad? I like the way it rides and I guess if I can't get it apart I can't get a bash guard for it...so I'll just have to ride it till it breaks then fix it.

Evilbee

The rincon isn't a bad bike. It's just that some of the budget parts are a bit annoying. You can swap the chainset for a new one quite easily and cheaply if you have the appriopriate tools (or just get your lbs to do it). You can get some alivio level cranks pretty cheap.

If your chainrings need replacing, check the chain and cassette as well (assuming you haven't already).

a2psyklnut

I just sold two sets of great cranks for $45 each. Each pair had a bash ring.

Check eBay and Craigslist in your area for some used gear.

Joecool85

Come to find out, the chainring was fine, it has 4 shorter teeth but apparently it comes that way to help the chain get on and off the gear. Regardless, the cassette is fine. Now, is it possible to replace the cassette and keep the same rear wheel?

a2psyklnut

Yes, it does however require some specific tools.

If the cassette is worn, and you are buying a replacement online, buy the tools and learn to do it yourself.

This will be a very wise investment as I'm sure it won't be the last cassette you ever change.

Also, buying it online will equal what you pay for parts and labor at the shop.

Joecool85

Good to know. Hopefully I won't need to put a cassette on for a while. It is a shimano cassette...as opposed to the Giant 22/32/42 crankset which is garbage.

willtsmith_nwi

Well, it's certainly better than anything you would have bought at Wally World. But, you bought the bottom of the line recreational mountain bike in Giant's line.

The good news is that frame should be rock solid. I believe that the Rincon is steel so it should hold up to punishment. And if it doesn't, Giant frames have a lifetime warranty and Giant is pretty darn good at redeeming those warranties. When I broke my Yukon frame last year, I had a new one in my hands in little more than a week.

Yes, you will ride the bike things will break and you will fix it. If you're smart you'll buy a toolset and learn how to do your own work. Those LIFU kits have a few decent tools in them to get you started. You can round out your collection with higher quality stuff from Park and Pedros.

Joecool85

The boulder and boulder SE are both below the rincon actually, so I didn't buy the very bottom end.

And it's an aluminum frame, but it does seem real solid, I don't see myself breaking it. I'm only 5'8" 135lbs. I know it's an ok bike, I'm just wondering if it makes more sense to replace the crankset, fork and rims/hubs/brakes (so I can have discs) or if it would make more sense to just buy a Yukon in a few years instead. They sell for $450 or so and have disc brakes, a 100mm travel shock (mine is 75mm), and a Truvativ ISO Flow crank. It would cost me more than that just to upgrade my bike to those specs.