woody

I plan on getting into racing next year and am wondering what the best upgrades to make on my bike would be. I'm riding a 2004 Rockhopper comp, all stock except for pedals and bars. What should I think about upgrading first? Tires and rims? Any advice on parts and brands?

Thank you!!

Gerst240

what level of racing are you getting into? Are you getting into a series of races at different places? If so I would look at tires for the different conditions of different courses. Other than that i would mainly focus on spending A LOT of time on the bike possibly look into getting a rode bike.

woody

This will be my first year racing so I'll be riding in the Citizen class (entry level). I will be riding in a series of races around Wisconsin and all courses feature multiple types of terrain.

LowCel 

Your wheels and tires will make the most difference seeing as how they are rotating weight. A pound of rotating weight is equal to two to three pounds any where else on the bike.

What does your budget look like. If we know that we can help you out with brands.

Oh, since you will be in the beginner class don't sweat the equipment too much. While in that class the big thing is to learn. Learn how to ride in groups and how to pass and be passed. Most importantly though, have fun!

never

Follow everyone else's advice and drop weight off of your bike. But you can race with the bike as is.

I've dropped about 6-7lbs off of my 04 Rockhopper Comp and another 1.5lbs should be coming off in the next week or so. So basically, I have a pretty good idea of what the components weigh.

As LowCel suggested, a lighter wheelset will make a difference and swap the wire bead tires for lighter weight, folding tires. Heavy components include the crankset, seat, seatpost, and fork. The Truvativ 5D crankset is flexy and heavy, the seat is heavy (so is the seatpost) and wide so it's harder to get behind, and the Axel Elite fork weighs over 4.5lbs.

The front and rear derailleurs and shifters are fine, and don't worry about the stem as it weighs 190g. The V-brakes aren't heavy but they are low end Shimano so you may want to look at the Avid SD line for increased stopping power.

What you want to do depends on how much you want to spend. But a wheelset would be a good start and you can keep the stock ones as a backup.

Taerom

Where are you from in wisconsin? I also live in wisconsin, and might be interested in doing some races when spring arrives.

shane45

You need to make your bike look like my 2005 Comp:



OK, no you don't. But you do want to get new wheels as suggested. Also, a new crankset should save you a ton of weight over the stock 5D. A new fork would be third on my list.

(The saddle bag comes off on raceday.)

Best way to get faster? RIDE MORE!!!!!

Dannihilator

I think your chain is on wrong, but that might be the picture though.

Drunken Chicken

How can you have a chain on wrong? Just wondering.

shane45

Yeah - it's just the picture. I assume you're looking at the jockey pulley area? It's a combination of the tag end of my derailleur cable, the spoke and the der. cage which makes it look like it's mis-threaded.

Besides, I'm pretty sure I would have noticed a problem in the 275 miles I've got on this chain.

Dannihilator

Through the deraillieur.

ChroMo2

in order of performance gains it's the frame first! handlebar grips, gloves, pedals, crank, wheels, rear derailler, cassette, chain, front derailler, brake pads, handlebars, waterbottle. This is a basic order for gaining performance. As far as the fork goes you can get by with an average fork as long as it's never been damaged. And your tire choice would be better picked off of a design that was based on the chevron pattern, and dont be afraid to use wide tires, they respond to pressure changes way better than skinny tires (aiding in suspension, and traction or the ability to reduce rolling resistance) Building your own rims makes you a more indepth bicyclist. The more you work on your own bicycle, the better you become on understanding what upgrades give you the best performance gains. Some discontinued products by their manufacturers are still better than some of the new stuff.

shane45

I strongly disagree.

There is not a lot of performance to be gained by replacing the frame only. Assuming your bike is not an X-Mart special, the frame will already be of decent quality. You MIGHT save an ounce or two by upgrading frames. There are MUCH bigger weight savings and performance gains to be had elsewhere on a bike.

never

Are you listing these things in the order you think they should be upgraded?

shane45

A guy that lists "gloves" as a performance upgrade should be taken with a grain of salt.

never

Yeah, no kidding, I think the list is kind of funny...these are the most important upgrades for gaining performance? A water bottle...is that a performance upgrade?

cryptid01

wheelset +4

(after water bottle of course)

LowCel 

Please say this is some type of joke that none of us get.

woody

I'm from Appleton. Do a lot of riding at Winter Park in Kewaunee.

ChroMo2

who said anything about weight? there's no specific order in replacing components, but someone asked for an opinion and i was trying to help. In the grand scheme of things, if you have to ask in the first place, you obviously don't know. Appreciate experienced bikers advice, because some people are stingy with their knowledge.

never

Are you really being serious when you make your posts?

clifford_bgrddg

word.

isnt that just a little bit conceited to call yourself an experienced bike rider? especially after the previous "advice"

hey man, waterbottles are most imporant. are you gonna sport the heavy stock bottle? or throw down for the carbon model?

duckliondog

I was lucky enough to have been given a full XTR bike as a gift. I wasn't a great rider yet and I found it embarassing to ride such a nice bike with no skills. So, I got a road bike and set out to make the most important upgrades of all, my muscles and handling. Nearly a year later, I'm the fastest of my friends and I can't wait to start raicng next season.

shane45

Do you want to get your story straight?

Check your first post (post #12). Allow me to refresh your memory where you said - "in order of performance gains it's the frame first! handlebar grips, gloves, pedals, crank, wheels, rear derailler, cassette, chain, front derailler, brake pads, handlebars, waterbottle. This is a basic order for gaining performance."

Sure sounds like you are trying to say there is a specific order. Oh, and by the way - your order is still wrong. Waterbottles should ALWAYS be upgraded before gloves.

Parafly9

Tires ---> Suspension ----> Pedals -----> then start losing weight on your other components.