Spec me a mountain bike
- Thread starter Walkerie
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What are the brakes like, are they spongy? You can improve performance by bleeding them.
PS. It looks like the front brake lever has been swapped from the left side to the right at some point, hence why the hose is sticking out like that.
PS. It looks like the front brake lever has been swapped from the left side to the right at some point, hence why the hose is sticking out like that.
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Is the stem the piece that the saddle sits on? it was basically full down I have quite a lot of room to move it up.
and no there sharp
and no there sharp
no its the tube that connects the top of the front-forks to the handlebars, a longer one would be better for a 6ftish size i think. with a 32" leg that size bike is pretty bang on, i'm 5'9" with the same size bike with 32" leg, my saddles a bit higher and a stem of 100mm. it looks like your stem is 60mm or 80mm.
Soldato
That's a good bike for less than £100, as for upgrades I'd ride it for a few miles first, and then you'll soon know what parts you'll want to change.
Also I'd go over the bike and check for play in the bottom bracket bearings, heatset bearings, wheel bearings, chain wear, etc. as it's always worth checking everything is up together before getting new forks or drivetrain for example.
Also I'd go over the bike and check for play in the bottom bracket bearings, heatset bearings, wheel bearings, chain wear, etc. as it's always worth checking everything is up together before getting new forks or drivetrain for example.
i would go with the just ride as is at the mo, hearing you wanna move it up makes me think you don't want a more racey riding position and getting a longer stem will do just that.
when i first started riding again my saddle was pretty low and the bike felt too big for me,
after lots of miles you'll know what needs changing/adjusting.
when i first started riding again my saddle was pretty low and the bike felt too big for me,
after lots of miles you'll know what needs changing/adjusting.
Im happy with how it is, you just hinted at it being too cramped for me
and im thinking about taking it to Halfords for them to give it a once over for about £15
Soldato
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- 23 Nov 2004
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Take it to a local shop if possible. They should check the headset,BB,hubs,chain wear and small adjustments that will suit you better.
It's a good idea to take it to a shop to get it looked at, but don't take it to Halfords, they're a bit useless with bikes. But it does look fine for £70.
People commenting on the rub on the crank arm, do you guys not do that to your own bike? I do that after like a week of riding mine! :/
People commenting on the rub on the crank arm, do you guys not do that to your own bike? I do that after like a week of riding mine! :/
nope, the stem looks like its at its highest, spacers under it none above. maybe loosening the front of the stem then rotating the bars cw may give a little more height but also more elbow out position too. cheapest would be getting higher rise handlebars, maybe 2".
Soldato
Consider getting wider bars as opposed to a longer stem. 700mm+ bars to me seem to give more control and make the front end feel lighter.
If you're right handed you generally want the front brake on the left. If it's on the right and you grab hold of it with your stronger hand you could go over the handle bars.
Some right handed people may prefer it on the right for doing tricks or whatever.
Soldato
I disagree, your dominant hand is used to writing and as such has better fine motor control. As such this extra control is more useful on the front brake than the back.
Soldato
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Having the front brake on the left to most people would be like left foot braking in a car. You'd be more likely to lock it compared to your right hand.
Front brake right is the norm in the UK, Norm.
Personally I want the front brake on the left, when you have to stop in an emergency it's an instant reaction, you don't have time to think 'hmm, I need to excercise restraint with my right hand otherwise I go over'. I'd rather grab the hell out of the back brake, and feather the front after the initial response.
Soldato
This is a bit confusing. Reactions are based upon experience and most people in the UK will have grown up with right hand front brakes. I don't think when I brake, I just use them as the situation requires. I guarantee that more people would would flip over the bars if you had the front brake on the left.
Soldato
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The front brake is where the power is and the right hand has the ability to modulate the power correctly. I know I can stop with the back wheel in the air if needs be.
Back brake can be used with the not so good hand as it will just lock up if you pull it hard enough.
It's personal though and the Right/left side thing is purely for covering the rear brake when signalling right on a roundabout sort of thing.
For new cyclists the back brake on the right would be better I guess as it's 'safer' to skid the rear than go over the bars. I set up LX V brakes for an old gentleman and he grabbed a handful for some reason and went straight over the bars. I lold.
Back brake can be used with the not so good hand as it will just lock up if you pull it hard enough.
It's personal though and the Right/left side thing is purely for covering the rear brake when signalling right on a roundabout sort of thing.
For new cyclists the back brake on the right would be better I guess as it's 'safer' to skid the rear than go over the bars. I set up LX V brakes for an old gentleman and he grabbed a handful for some reason and went straight over the bars. I lold.