What upgrades to do on my MTB

[Westyfield2]

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

 

[Westyfield2]

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]

Pics

Took some pics today...

 

[Westyfield2]

 

[Westyfield2]

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.

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".)

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.

 

[Westyfield2]

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?

 

[Westyfield2]

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]

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]

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

 

[Westyfield2]

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".

 

[Westyfield2]

also a correctly set up bike; shock springs, rebound and compression, gears, seat and bar height etc help so much its unreal

All of which I've left as they were, apart from cranking th front fork from 80 upto 118 (can't get it any higher) and the rear shock which I decieded "That's too hard" so I twiddled some of the many buttons until it felt about right But I don't know what I actually did and I haven't touched it with the shock pump

 

[Westyfield2]

Yer, they're crap.

V12s with terror pins and FiveTen impacts are almost as good as cleats, although M647s and a decent pair of shoes are your best bet. Even Barel uses them .

Your friends are just trying to hold you back

Ok.
Care to explain how cleats work and how easy/hard it is to get in, and more importantly out.

 

[Westyfield2]

Except for maybe pedals and forks.

Front or rear fork?

 

[Westyfield2]

Sorry for the n00b question
What's the big woo with "SPD"?
I've noticed that the M647's look like you could get away with normal shoes for a short distane, is this true?

TY
Ed

 

[Westyfield2]

I'd replace your wheelset. Lighter and stronger combinations are available for about £150. Would reduce the rolling mass and give better acceleration.
XT Hubs on xm321s or even xm719s would be a good option. If you have the cash, go for Hope Pro 2 hubs.

Cheers. What would I be able to get for the current Shinano Deore Hubs and Mavic x223 Rims?

 

[Westyfield2]

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

Birthday V.Soon & just want to...

 

[Westyfield2]

Rear Shocks

Am I right in thinking that with rear shocks, when it says "190mm - 50mm Stroke" or "152mm - 32mm Stroke" it means travels from 190mm to 50mm or 152mm to 32mm?
And my Swinger with 5.75" rear travel is 146mm?
Ed

 

[Westyfield2]

Bash Ring

Do I need a bash ring?
What's this one seem like FSA Bash Ring? And would I need 4 or 5 bolt?
Ed

 

[Westyfield2]

Best bash rings are Blackspire's tbh, MRP's are also good, but tbh you're probably not going to be riding hardcore enough to need one, you'll just endup adding weight and losing gears.

(and you'd want a four bolt one).

Thanks
Any ideas on the rear shock question above

 

[Westyfield2]

Another idea is that my mate has told me "I know a friend selling a Fox Rear Shock for £100" and "I know it's not too worn".
Have told him that I definately want to know which Fox Rear Shock it is and whether it's had a hard life.
If I do deciede to upgrade the rear shock, what could I sell the Manitou Swinger 4 way rear shock for?
TY
Ed
Ruled out this idea now as it's had a rather hard life and only has 100mm travel