1. The most important thing about buying a new
bike is to make sure it fits. The only way you'll know if the bike is right
for you is to size up the bike and make sure that the bike's geometry matches
your body's geometry. Ask questions and do some research.
2. If possible, try to find a shop that will
let you demo the bike on real dirt. Five minutes in a parking lot won't cut
it. You wouldn't buy a car without a real world test drive, and a bike should
be no different.
3. Don't belive the hype. Just because
your favorite rider or best friend rides a certain bike, that doesn't mean
that's the best one for you. Have an open mind and be realistic about your
needs and ability.
2006 Iron Horse Warrior Team SE from Dick's. Paid $300.
Upgrades:
Kaloy seat post
Egg Beater pedals
scored a sweet deal on a new XT rear dérailleur from eBay (after the Alivio wore out)
cheap bar-end grips
Lizard Skins chainstay protector
SRAM chain with Power Link
WTB Velociraptor rear tire
SRAM 8-speed cassette with 34 tooth big ring (not installed yet)
scored another sweet deal on an LX front dérailleur from Chainlove (not installed yet)
This is an old photo - I'm using a hydration pack instead of the seat bag & the reflectors are gone.
The next logical upgrade would be the fork, but any decent fork would cost as much as the bike & the other upgrades combined, so maybe I'll just save up a while & upgrade bikes instead. I'd like to get a DW Link XC race machine.
Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might.... (Ecclesiastes 9:10)
Very nice bike you have there. It looks like it is light and tough. What kind of crank setup is that? Never mind. It's better that I not know...I'll end up going shopping instead of working on the bike I have...
Why the shimano discs you ask? I have a few reasons for that choice. The bike came standard with the avid discs. For some reason they just didn't feel like they worked as well as they should. I spent hours trying to get them adjusted but they always squealed, and things like that get under my skin when i ride , so i found some old shimano discs and mounted them on. They work good in my opinion.
I guess it's my turn to contribute, although I don't have pics yet.
2005 Giant Boulder SE (was stock until last year )
Magura Odur 80mm Fork
2007 Avid BB7's with Cleansweep G2 rotors (185/160) rear is A2Z adapted
Avid Speed Dial Ti levers with Jagwire ripcord cables and housing
Mavic Crossride wheelset
Shimano XT front and rear Der's
Some crappy Shimano plastic shifters
Truvativ FireX GXP crank
Shimano M520 pedals
Easton EA70 OS riser bars
ODI Rogue clamp-on grips
Sette Edge OS stem
Sette APX seatpost
WTB Power V DH saddle
Panaracer Smoke/Dart combo
I think thats about it. Main goal was to drop some weight while strengthening certain areas. Stock weight: 34 pounds, Now: 28.5
311856254_1062571261_0.jpeg
this is my 98 or maybe it was a 97 kona mountain shock. used it for a year or so then didnt touch it till 3 years ago and ive been slowly upgrading
thudbuster seatpost
wtb seat
kore stem
time atac alum pedals
panaracer fire rear tire
the computer is in the back cuz i use a trainer in the winter
I recently went through my 2003 Specialized Hardrock. This is the first mountain bike I purchased.
Rock Shox - Tora 318 U-Turn fork 85-130mm - X firm spring.
ODI Rogue lock on grips
CraneCreek Direct Curve brake levers
FSA 36 deg head set
Avid single digit V- Brakes
Shimano - LX front derailer
RaceFace Atlas XC bars
RaceFace Deus 70mm stem
RaceFace Dues Cranks and rings
Seat-Specialized Rival SL 143
Thudbuster LT seat post
Sram PG 980 cassett
Sram X0 Shifters
Sram X0 Medium rear derailer
Shimano XT chain
Crank Brothers Candy pedals
Bontrager Mustang rear wheel with Cris King Hub
Cat Eye mini wireless computer
Tires - Maxxis Minnion F+R
And of course the Kickstand.....lol
I recently went through my 2003 Specialized Hardrock. This is the first mountain bike I purchased.
Rock Shox - Tora 318 U-Turn fork 85-130mm - X firm spring.
ODI Rogue lock on grips
CraneCreek Direct Curve brake levers
FSA 36 deg head set
Avid single digit V- Brakes
Shimano - LX front derailer
RaceFace Atlas XC bars
RaceFace Deus 70mm stem
RaceFace Dues Cranks and rings
Seat-Specialized Rival SL 143
Thudbuster LT seat post
Sram PG 980 cassett
Sram X0 Shifters
Sram X0 Medium rear derailer
Shimano XT chain
Crank Brothers Candy pedals
Bontrager Mustang rear wheel with Cris King Hub
Cat Eye mini wireless computer
Tires - Maxxis Minnion F+R
And of course the Kickstand.....lol
A KICKSTAND?!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Holy Smoke!
I've never seen one of those on a nice mountain bike. May I ask why you put that on?
Tomorrow I will go ahead and change the tires to Kenda slicks for commuting (I need to get in better shape before I hit some trails). DSC00999 (800x600).jpg DSC00998 (800x600).jpg
Here's my Schwinn Delta. Got it on-line from Costco back in Jan just to see if I like this thing called mountain biking. After my first off-road ride in June, turns out I am obsessed with this sport. Only thing I changed were the pedals to a set of Shimano M520 clipless. Not planning on any further upgrades but am now looking for my next bike.
I've never seen one of those on a nice mountain bike. May I ask why you put that on?
I retired the bike for awhile to just ridding around the neighborhood with the Mrs and my son (5 now). Then I gave to my best friends son. He used it for a year or so. He returned it when he out grew it. When I got it back the kickstand was on it. Kinda convenient so it has stayed....lol
I retired the bike for awhile to just ridding around the neighborhood with the Mrs and my son (5 now). Then I gave to my best friends son. He used it for a year or so. He returned it when he out grew it. When I got it back the kickstand was on it. Kinda convenient so it has stayed....lol
Hey, i feel ya. i'd get rid of the kickstand if it weren't so gosh darn convenient
This is my 99 GT Zaskar LE. I bought it with all original stock components on the bay a few years ago. The drive train is still original XT/XTR but I have added an Easton EA70 stem/bar, XTR dual control and discs and a Rock Shox Revelation Uturn Air.
I recently went through my 2003 Specialized Hardrock. This is the first mountain bike I purchased.
Rock Shox - Tora 318 U-Turn fork 85-130mm - X firm spring.
ODI Rogue lock on grips
CraneCreek Direct Curve brake levers
FSA 36 deg head set
Avid single digit V- Brakes
Shimano - LX front derailer
RaceFace Atlas XC bars
RaceFace Deus 70mm stem
RaceFace Dues Cranks and rings
Seat-Specialized Rival SL 143
Thudbuster LT seat post
Sram PG 980 cassett
Sram X0 Shifters
Sram X0 Medium rear derailer
Shimano XT chain
Crank Brothers Candy pedals
Bontrager Mustang rear wheel with Cris King Hub
Cat Eye mini wireless computer
Tires - Maxxis Minnion F+R
And of course the Kickstand.....lol
If you intend to ride mountain on that, then you'd best take off the kickstand. It can be dangerous...
If you intend to ride mountain on that, then you'd best take off the kickstand. It can be dangerous...
I know, I took it on a ride this AM and could hear the kickstand rattling when I went through the rock garden at speed. First time I have heard anything from it. It will more than likely come off in the AM.
But the seasons done for me now. I ate it on a fairly tame piece of traverse the other day down in SLC near the Shoreline trail. Now I'm in a splint and the docs are x-raying me every few days making sure I don't have a scaphoid fracture.
2000 Univega Alpina. Bought this 8 years ago. I stoped ridding it but fell in love again recently. Ever since I got back, I put in a new MX Pro Lo instead of the stock fork.
Just got my 09 GF Piranha the other day. Hasn't seen dirt yet but so far it's a great ride. Hoping to take some better pictures outside with a real camera soon.
Finally! Well mine is back up and running. Upgraded to dual control's , rapid rise, and black v-brake (since i cant go disc on the back, mise well hide the v). Been riding for 3 months and this is what i built to keep me on the dirt.
I know i know. I could lose some weight, by ditching the walky dog
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Originally Posted by ncfisherman
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