What upgrades to do on my MTB

Westyfield2 · 15 Sep 2006 at 16:41

Been thinking of upgrading my bike, its an upgraded Giant VT2.
Here's the current spec:

Spec: Upgraded Giant VT2

Frame: Giant VT2 20.5" frame (5" - 5.75" adj. rear travel) *Pretty new bearings*
Manitou Swinger 4 way rear shock

Fork: Rockshox Psylo SL 80mm-125mm adj. travel fork

Drivetrain: Deore XT rear mech
LX front mech
LX Shifters
XT 11-34t Cassette
XTR Chain
RaceFace Evolve XC cranks
FSA Platinum Bottom Bracket *Still fairly New*

Brakes: Hayes HFX9 XC hydraulic with 6" rotors

Pimp Bits: RaceFace Next Carbon riser handle bars
FSA K-Force Carbon Seatpost

Contact Bits: Lizard Skins Logo Dual Compound grips
MKS MT-LITE Pedals & Toe-clips (Rat-traps)
4ZA Stratos Saddle

Tyres: Hutchinson Scorpion 2.0" (Tubeless)

Wheels: Shinano Deore Hubs Mavic x223 Rims

It's main use is cross-country but I also use it for downhill (and sometimes ride to School).
So, which bit(s) do I upgrade and in which order
My mate has said the front fork, but another mate has said the rear.

Also, please say what to upgrade to (and how much it costs) & also how much the relevant current component can be sold on for. (My mate has said the Psylo should get £100-£150)

Ty
Ed
Pictures to follow

weescott · 15 Sep 2006 at 16:51

Nothing wrong with the Swinger shock (I'm considering getting one)

Psylo's are decent forks (I had the original ones)

I would upgrade the wheels first. x223 rims will take a pasting doing DH as will the Deore hub.

DT Swiss EX5.1D rims can handle light DH and still be light enough for XC. The Transition I'm riding ATM has some built with Hope XC hubs (built by CRC, £160), they are still tru even after a 7foot drop and some Alpine action. Pike's could be a good option if you are getting a bolt through hub at the same time.

Westyfield2 · 15 Sep 2006 at 17:07

weescott said:
Nothing wrong with the Swinger shock (I'm considering getting one)

Psylo's are decent forks (I had the original ones)

I would upgrade the wheels first. x223 rims will take a pasting doing DH as will the Deore hub.

DT Swiss EX5.1D rims can handle light DH and still be light enough for XC. The Transition I'm riding ATM has some built with Hope XC hubs (built by CRC, £160), they are still tru even after a 7foot drop and some Alpine action. Pike's could be a good option if you are getting a bolt through hub at the same time.

Thanks for the quick reply.
TBH I'm not currently much DH but I might do in the future.

Westyfield2 · 15 Sep 2006 at 18:37

Pics

Took some pics today...

Westyfield2 · 15 Sep 2006 at 18:37

weescott · 15 Sep 2006 at 18:47

Nice looking bike there, but...get rid of those pedals <insert puke smiley>

How do you find the Hayes brakes? I can't stand them but like pedals brakes can be a personal preference.

Westyfield2 · 15 Sep 2006 at 19:20

weescott said:
Nice looking bike there

Thanks. I must confess howver that I can't remember the last time I washed it and just pulled it out the garage for the photos.

weescott said:
but...get rid of those pedals

I personally like toe-clips as I can get the power down, but can still get out pretty quickly when needed.
I've half been thinking of getting some SPD XTR's but have heard so many horror stories of mountain bikers with cleats that its put me off. How do you unclip from them and how easy is it (how long does it take to get out after getting the "Oh **** " moment and " **** I'm stuck in".)

weescott said:
How do you find the Hayes brakes?

TBH I havn't much to compare them with, as my previous ride had some very nice cable discs but the hayes are my first hydro's. One problem is squealing under heavy braking, my local bike shop whre servicing it changed the pads and said that it's the discs making the noise and that giving them a light go with sandpaper could help it, I haven't bothered but I do wonder if this would solve the problem.

weescott · 15 Sep 2006 at 19:47

I love my V12 mags with Terror pins. They look nasty but you dont slip AT ALL. I have thought about going SPD (I even have the shoes) but have never got round to trying them. Most of the guys I ride with have clipless. As I said...personal preference.

The disc brakes I have tried are:

Hope Mini (suffered from brake fade)
Mono M4 (fantastic brake...silly powerful)
Formula Oro (powerful but squeels in the wet, not as much modulation as I would like)
Hayes 9 (no modulation, needs a lot of effort on long decents)

I noticed you have a Titec stem, 4 bolt stems are a lot better IMO...more stable.

benjo plz. · 15 Sep 2006 at 21:14

The tails you hear about SPD are rare tbh, and usually involve newbies with cranked up springs. Once you've got used to spds, you aren't going to have too much of a problem with them.

weescott said:
I noticed you have a Titec stem, 4 bolt stems are a lot better IMO...more stable.

I've never had a problem with two bolt stems, Easton seem to get away with it fine. Personally though I'd say something like a Thompson or a Ritchey four bolter.

Pete_m · 16 Sep 2006 at 04:24

do you really need to upgrade?

if you really must spend your money I would go for new forks or get the forks and shock overhauled (depending on how old they are)

oh, and to follow suit.. new pedals :eek:

Westyfield2 · 16 Sep 2006 at 10:16

Pete_m said:
oh, and to follow suit.. new pedals

Anyone care to explain why?

Another idea I've had is getting a new saddle. It came with a WTB Rocket V (I think) but as it looked completely owned I went out and got the lightweight 4ZA, but this is far too 'raw'. Any ideas on a saddle that's a bit more padded but not too much heavier?

noob · 16 Sep 2006 at 10:57

What about spending money on other stuff, I'm assuming you have a camelbak?

squiffy · 16 Sep 2006 at 11:02

Westyfield2 said:
Anyone care to explain why?

Because toe clips are rubbish, get clipless. More power and control of your bike.

Do you use this FS proper off-road or just around town?

Westyfield2 · 16 Sep 2006 at 11:24

squiffy said:
Because toe clips are rubbish, get clipless. More power and control of your bike.

Do you use this FS proper off-road or just around town?

Both, although mainly off-road

Westyfield2 · 16 Sep 2006 at 12:42

weescott said:
I would upgrade the wheels first. x223 rims will take a pasting doing DH as will the Deore hub.

DT Swiss EX5.1D rims can handle light DH and still be light enough for XC. The Transition I'm riding ATM has some built with Hope XC hubs (built by CRC, £160), they are still tru even after a 7foot drop and some Alpine action. Pike's could be a good option if you are getting a bolt through hub at the same time.

Got any links?

Westyfield2 · 16 Sep 2006 at 13:25

Ouch. I just tried Wheels Custom MTB Pair > Hope XC Disc Pair of Wheels and ended up with.

Hope XC Disc Front Disc Gun Metal 32h £0 - Blue not in stock

DT Swiss EX 5.1 XC-FR Disc 32h Black £20.00

DT Swiss Spokes Competition Stainless DB Black 2mm-1.8mm £5.00

Hope XC Disc Rear Disc Blue 32h Titanium Freehub £20.00

DT Swiss EX 5.1 XC-FR Disc 32h Black £20.00

DT Swiss Spokes Competition Stainless DB Black 2mm-1.8mm £5.00

DT Swiss Nipple Upgrade Brass Pro-lock Black Set Pair of Wheels(DH/FR/XC) £9.99

USE Spin Stix Pair Blue Titanium £34.99

Selected Package Price £274.97

How much could I sell the current Shinano Deore Hubs and Mavic x223 Rims for?
Ed
Questions, questions, always more questions

squiffy · 16 Sep 2006 at 13:26

Why upgrade? Just ride the thing until the parts wear. Better parts won't make your a better rider.

benjo plz. · 16 Sep 2006 at 15:12

squiffy said:
Why upgrade? Just ride the thing until the parts wear. Better parts won't make your a better rider.

Except for maybe pedals and forks.

Pete_m · 16 Sep 2006 at 16:58

Phnom_Penh said:
Except for maybe pedals and forks.

haha exactly. and a better bike does make you a better rider. also a correctly set up bike; shock springs, rebound and compression, gears, seat and bar height etc help so much its unreal :cool:

Westyfield2 · 16 Sep 2006 at 17:51

Phnom_Penh said:
Except for maybe pedals and forks.

There seems to be a lot of negative opinion towards my pedals

TBH the only pedal upgrade I would consider is cleats, but I've never tried them and most of my MTB'ing mates say "No, just no".