Full Suspension MTB for Under $400 1st Impressions
03-22-10, 07:13 AM
#26
Cantankerous Old Fart
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A couple things:
1) I'm surprised you're pleased with the Tektro mechanical discs, especially with you being a bigger guy. I'm running Tektro mechs on my hardtail, and the only reason they're still on is that new brakes aren't in the budget right now. Maybe I got spoiled since my other bike is running Juicys, but they just don't feel like they have a lot of stopping power (or maybe I need to check my setup again). Good they're working out for you though.
2) For a comfy saddle on a budget, check out WTB's saddles. The Rocket V seems to get great reviews, and I've used a Speed V and didn't think it was too bad either.
3) I can tolerate stock grips (usually),
1) I'm surprised you're pleased with the Tektro mechanical discs, especially with you being a bigger guy. I'm running Tektro mechs on my hardtail, and the only reason they're still on is that new brakes aren't in the budget right now. Maybe I got spoiled since my other bike is running Juicys, but they just don't feel like they have a lot of stopping power (or maybe I need to check my setup again). Good they're working out for you though.
2) For a comfy saddle on a budget, check out WTB's saddles. The Rocket V seems to get great reviews, and I've used a Speed V and didn't think it was too bad either.
3) I can tolerate stock grips (usually),
Upon further investigation of the paperwork that came W/the bike I found that the brakes were indeed NOT Tecktro, but Promax DSK-320s.
I have researched parts availability & pads are readily available @ present.
AS far as the seat & grip PIX I promised?
Here is the Serfas Pro-Flo seat I picked up for $29 @ the LBS. Big improvement over the OE seat.
Also, as promised, a shot of the new grips.
I put in 10.2 miles on the bike yesterday W/the new seat/grips & both are a big improvement.
I bought an OE takeoff (new) Fox RP23 online yesterday. It is the proper length & stroke for this bike. I will post up my impressions when I have a chance to ride the bike after the upgrade.
I think that will make a huge improvement allowing me to have a supple rear suspension W/the pro-pedal lock-out to stiffen up the suspension when I have to get on the pedals.
Last edited by XCSKIBUM; 03-23-10 at 09:12 AM.
03-22-10, 11:49 AM
#29
Cantankerous Old Fart
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Did the 1st "Tune Up" Today
Yesterday I noticed some very slight rubbing noise coming from the rear as I was pushing hard in some soft wet sand on the shoulder. Upon closer inspection, I found that the rear wheel was about 3/16" - 1/4" off center towards the drive side. Eyeballing along the edge of the tire section revealed that the edge of the section was about even W/the inner most rear sprocket & the tread was running very close to the swingarm on the right side W/almost 1/2" of clearance on the left side
Delving back into my motorcycle savy, I flipped the bike over onto the seat/bars & got out my Alien II multi tool & gave the rear wheel an on-bike true job. It was good radially, but the offset was not correct. I had given the front wheel the eyeball. It seemed pretty well centered in the fork & a wrench played lightly on the spokes of the rotating wheel gave a nice consistant ring.No need to mess W/that front wheel. If it ain't broke, ya can't fix it!
Time to pull that rear wheel rim 1/4" to the left. Ater looseng the drive side spokes 1/2 turn & tightening the brake side 1 full turn. (in 1/4 turn increments starting/ending @ the valve stem) the wheel is now centered. The added tension on the brake side was needed to bring all the spokes to what I felt was the proper tension.
I took the bike for a short spin to check out my work. I don't know if it was a "plecebo effect" or an actual improvement in perfomance, but pulling the slight grade going North from my house seemed a lot easier. I usually have to shift down more than I did on the test run. Perhaps the increased spoke tension helped?
Since I already got my 1hour + in the saddle today, I will have to wait until tomorrow to see if there is an improvement.
Delving back into my motorcycle savy, I flipped the bike over onto the seat/bars & got out my Alien II multi tool & gave the rear wheel an on-bike true job. It was good radially, but the offset was not correct. I had given the front wheel the eyeball. It seemed pretty well centered in the fork & a wrench played lightly on the spokes of the rotating wheel gave a nice consistant ring.No need to mess W/that front wheel. If it ain't broke, ya can't fix it!
Time to pull that rear wheel rim 1/4" to the left. Ater looseng the drive side spokes 1/2 turn & tightening the brake side 1 full turn. (in 1/4 turn increments starting/ending @ the valve stem) the wheel is now centered. The added tension on the brake side was needed to bring all the spokes to what I felt was the proper tension.
I took the bike for a short spin to check out my work. I don't know if it was a "plecebo effect" or an actual improvement in perfomance, but pulling the slight grade going North from my house seemed a lot easier. I usually have to shift down more than I did on the test run. Perhaps the increased spoke tension helped?
Since I already got my 1hour + in the saddle today, I will have to wait until tomorrow to see if there is an improvement.
03-22-10, 01:01 PM
#30
Moar cowbell
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It's the fact that you were traveling North . . . it's the Hemisphere Effect on the drive-side spokes. Now that you've centered things, it will climb like you're dragging anchor going up hills south-bound.
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03-22-10, 01:05 PM
#31
Fool O' crap
03-22-10, 01:08 PM
#32
Cantankerous Old Fart
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In performance cars, it's called the "butt dyno".
03-22-10, 02:42 PM
#34
Pedals, Paddles and Poles
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I'm impressed brother Clyde. Its more bike than normal for the bucks, plus it is true eye candy. Let me know if you attract chicks with the Caddie grill.
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I think its disgusting and terrible how people treat Lance Armstrong, especially after winning 7 Tour de France Titles while on drugs!
I can't even find my bike when I'm on drugs. -Willie N.
I think its disgusting and terrible how people treat Lance Armstrong, especially after winning 7 Tour de France Titles while on drugs!
I can't even find my bike when I'm on drugs. -Willie N.
03-22-10, 03:31 PM
#36
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Yeah, you caused quite a stir up there last time you drove it . . .
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Originally Posted by Mark Twain
"Don't argue with stupid people; they will drag you down to their level and then beat you with experience."
03-22-10, 08:54 PM
#41
Pedals, Paddles and Poles
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I think its disgusting and terrible how people treat Lance Armstrong, especially after winning 7 Tour de France Titles while on drugs!
I can't even find my bike when I'm on drugs. -Willie N.
I think its disgusting and terrible how people treat Lance Armstrong, especially after winning 7 Tour de France Titles while on drugs!
I can't even find my bike when I'm on drugs. -Willie N.
03-22-10, 08:55 PM
#42
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us Clyde's prefer a recliner, but will settle for the seat.
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I think its disgusting and terrible how people treat Lance Armstrong, especially after winning 7 Tour de France Titles while on drugs!
I can't even find my bike when I'm on drugs. -Willie N.
I think its disgusting and terrible how people treat Lance Armstrong, especially after winning 7 Tour de France Titles while on drugs!
I can't even find my bike when I'm on drugs. -Willie N.
03-22-10, 09:23 PM
#43
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Yesterday I noticed some very slight rubbing noise coming from the rear as I was pushing hard in some soft wet sand on the shoulder. Upon closer inspection, I found that the rear wheel was about 3/16" - 1/4" off center towards the drive side. Eyeballing along the edge of the tire section revealed that the edge of the section was about even W/the inner most rear sprocket & the tread was running very close to the swingarm on the right side W/almost 1/2" of clearance on the left side
Delving back into my motorcycle savy, I flipped the bike over onto the seat/bars & got out my Alien II multi tool & gave the rear wheel an on-bike true job. It was good radially, but the offset was not correct. I had given the front wheel the eyeball. It seemed pretty well centered in the fork & a wrench played lightly on the spokes of the rotating wheel gave a nice consistant ring.No need to mess W/that front wheel. If it ain't broke, ya can't fix it!
Time to pull that rear wheel rim 1/4" to the left. Ater looseng the drive side spokes 1/2 turn & tightening the brake side 1 full turn. (in 1/4 turn increments starting/ending @ the valve stem) the wheel is now centered. The added tension on the brake side was needed to bring all the spokes to what I felt was the proper tension.
I took the bike for a short spin to check out my work. I don't know if it was a "plecebo effect" or an actual improvement in perfomance, but pulling the slight grade going North from my house seemed a lot easier. I usually have to shift down more than I did on the test run. Perhaps the increased spoke tension helped?
Since I already got my 1hour + in the saddle today, I will have to wait until tomorrow to see if there is an improvement.
Delving back into my motorcycle savy, I flipped the bike over onto the seat/bars & got out my Alien II multi tool & gave the rear wheel an on-bike true job. It was good radially, but the offset was not correct. I had given the front wheel the eyeball. It seemed pretty well centered in the fork & a wrench played lightly on the spokes of the rotating wheel gave a nice consistant ring.No need to mess W/that front wheel. If it ain't broke, ya can't fix it!
Time to pull that rear wheel rim 1/4" to the left. Ater looseng the drive side spokes 1/2 turn & tightening the brake side 1 full turn. (in 1/4 turn increments starting/ending @ the valve stem) the wheel is now centered. The added tension on the brake side was needed to bring all the spokes to what I felt was the proper tension.
I took the bike for a short spin to check out my work. I don't know if it was a "plecebo effect" or an actual improvement in perfomance, but pulling the slight grade going North from my house seemed a lot easier. I usually have to shift down more than I did on the test run. Perhaps the increased spoke tension helped?
Since I already got my 1hour + in the saddle today, I will have to wait until tomorrow to see if there is an improvement.
You know rear wheels usually have asymetrical "Dish", toward the Drive side. (best picture i could find)
03-22-10, 09:44 PM
#44
one less horse
hehe indeed they are
I'm feeling like I'm modding out my new '91 Trek 950 with seatbag, gel seat, and waterbottle. Luckily that was way before shifter indicators so I never committed the faux pas of referring to gearing as 2-1.
Fun thread - rock on XCSKIBUM! You picked a good sport and I hope you come to enjoy it. And don't listen to what anybody tells you. Except the part where never advised installing a higher rate spring of course.
I'm feeling like I'm modding out my new '91 Trek 950 with seatbag, gel seat, and waterbottle. Luckily that was way before shifter indicators so I never committed the faux pas of referring to gearing as 2-1.
Fun thread - rock on XCSKIBUM! You picked a good sport and I hope you come to enjoy it. And don't listen to what anybody tells you. Except the part where never advised installing a higher rate spring of course.
03-22-10, 09:49 PM
#45
Fool O' crap
03-23-10, 06:57 AM
#47
Cantankerous Old Fart
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What jou talkin' 'bout? They areren't marked L/R so how are they on backerds?
Besides, from the picture in the post they look fine to me.
I think yer halucinatin'.
Besides, from the picture in the post they look fine to me.
I think yer halucinatin'.
Last edited by XCSKIBUM; 03-23-10 at 07:03 AM.
03-23-10, 06:58 AM
#48
Cantankerous Old Fart
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Oh, BTW, my glove is black & gold to go wit ma Caddy!
Last edited by XCSKIBUM; 03-23-10 at 07:01 AM.
03-23-10, 07:08 AM
#50
Cantankerous Old Fart
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hehe indeed they are
I'm feeling like I'm modding out my new '91 Trek 950 with seatbag, gel seat, and waterbottle. Luckily that was way before shifter indicators so I never committed the faux pas of referring to gearing as 2-1.
Fun thread - rock on XCSKIBUM! You picked a good sport and I hope you come to enjoy it. And don't listen to what anybody tells you. Except the part where never advised installing a higher rate spring of course.
I'm feeling like I'm modding out my new '91 Trek 950 with seatbag, gel seat, and waterbottle. Luckily that was way before shifter indicators so I never committed the faux pas of referring to gearing as 2-1.
Fun thread - rock on XCSKIBUM! You picked a good sport and I hope you come to enjoy it. And don't listen to what anybody tells you. Except the part where never advised installing a higher rate spring of course.