MTB - Spec me: Wheels and Disc set

mishima

mishima

mishima

Soldato
Joined
10 Dec 2006
Posts
4,715
Hi there,

Ok, this summer I'm hoping to go on a mountain biking holiday with my friend. I haven't ridden for a long time. My bike is pictured below. Basically I need to upgrade the wheels and brakes on this bike and because I'm so out of touch with whats available at the moment and what exactly I need I seek advice from other mountain bikers.

I don't want to spend much money at all, and I will no doubt get these second hand. So...

What wheels would you get for XC/freeride?
What disc brake set should I go for? (currently v-brakes)

(The forks are going to be changed too, so that I can fit disc's)

sintesi.jpg
 
Does the frame have rear disc mounts?

A cheap set of Mavics (Cross Ride or Cross Lands is going to be £100 to £150 new. Second hand I don't think you can be so fussy if you're trawelling the 2nd hand ads on BM or STW.

Might be worth asking any local shops if people are buying new wheels from them or ask your mate. I got a pair of XM321s on XT disc hubs for £60 off one of the guys I ride with.

You can get a set of new HFX-9s on Fleebay for £90ish with 160mm rotors or around £110 for 203mm rotors. Again though, I don't think you can be fussy when buying 2nd hand on a budget.

What forks are you looking at?

Out of interest, where are you going to ride? Might be worth hiring a bike rather than spend money on your bike.
 
Thanks for the response!

Thats something I hadn't considered, totally missed that one. No I don't think it does have rear disc mounts :( What options do I have here?

What are HFX's? Sorry you will have to be patient cause I've been away from the scene for about 5 years.

I'm looking at something from Marzocchi, probably something like the 'Drop off' fork. I've been meaning to do this upgrade so that I can get back into the biking so It's definately worth doing. We will be going to mid wales, might do coedy brenin! :)
 
freeride/xc is like comparing chalk and cheese tbh. If you were to say all mountain/xc I would go for Hope Pro 2 hubs because you are changing forks soon you could get RS pikes and change the front hub to 20mm for £15. Lace these to DT Swiss d5.1 rims with some dt swiss double butted spokes. Light and strong.
 
What kind of bike is that, and what is your budget?

I'd seriously consider getting a shorter stem, that one will be rubbish on the downhills and on technical stuff.

You may find that you're cheaper getting a new bike than upgrades depending on what you're wanting it for.

al
 
It's a Sintesi Hantrax - had it for 6 years I think. Yeah that was one of the things I was going to sort out also.

I may well just get a second hand freeride bike for £500-600 and possibly sell this because at the moment it seems I'm almost having to buy everything. The frame is just really nice and light wish I didn't have to but nm.
 
HFX-9s are a model of disc brake made by Hayes. Some reviews say they lack modulation but are popular for alpine use as they cope with the heat well.

TBH, given the amount of stuff you're changing, you might well be best changing the whole bike. "Little" points like if you change the forks, you need to find a new fork of a similar length otherwise the geometry is going to be completely messed up.
 
I've had a think and It probably is best to get a completely different bike. Thanks for the advice and tips though, much appreciated.
 
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