|   What components to upgrade? | Paul Torrez
Dec 28, 2003 10:43 AM | | I have the 2003 Specialized hardrock. This is my first mountain bike and I would definitely consider myself a neewbie in the MTB area. Iv'e been for about 6 months now and am intrested in getting some components upgraded for the bike, my question is what things should I look into getting as first time upgrades? I currently ride easier trails and am just learning to do jumps. I am sure my riding style would be neccessary to properly recommend components, but I am not sure what the choices of styles would be. Any help would be greatly apprectiated. |
| Nothing as yet... | fred³
Dec 28, 2003 12:02 PM | | sounds like it needs to be upgraded. Only 6 months riding. Why bother?Now if you had some complaints maybe, but otherwise it's not necessary unless it's broken, or on the verge of breaking. Do you own a hydration pack? Trail tools? You speak of doing jumps, but how big are the jumps? Too big and you've got the wrong bike. :-) |
| nothing that hasn't broken | club
Dec 28, 2003 12:26 PM | | I know you love your bike, but frankly, a Hardrock isn't really worthy of spending a lot of cash on to upgrade anything for the sake of weight savings, or for performance either, as the parts that come on it all work fine. Things that would make sense changing would be tires for your specific area, a saddle you like, lower gearing if you need it, and pedals you prefer. Beyond that, save your money, it's way cheaper to purchase a complete bike than buy expensive parts one by one, because manufacturers get a way better price on part than you can, even shopping cheap. |
| re: What components to upgrade? | belfrey
Dec 28, 2003 6:36 PM | | I just wanna chime in and agree with the others... replace what breaks, and if you can, replace it with something slightly nicer. What you have is a good bike to start on, but not a great bike to invest a lot more money in.
The Spec. Hard Rock was my first mountain bike too, waaaay back around 1990, after I'd demolished several old department-store 10speed road bikes by riding them on the trails. Over time I wore out or broke and replaced the handlebars, pedals, fork, saddle, wheels, tires and probably some other stuff. But the '92 Specialized Rockhopper that eventually replaced it was on a whole different level.
A couple of simple things that can improve your riding experience are toe clips (or maybe even clipless pedals, although these require cycling shoes) and bar ends if you have flat handlebars. Otherwise, save up for the next bike and enjoy developing your skills the way many of us did... on a relatively inexpensive, heavy, simple bike.
Welcome to the sport! |
| re: What components to upgrade? | paul torrez
Dec 29, 2003 2:29 AM | | Thanks To all of you who replied. I appreciate the feedback. |
| The wheelset | Jrm
Dec 29, 2003 3:29 PM | | It may cost the most in compairison to other components to changeout but it will make a big difference in the ride of the bike. |
| Plus one can | Not Duckman
Dec 29, 2003 3:58 PM | | ..benefit from the ability to swap the wheels to other rides, as well as keep when its time to resell the bike later on. |
| Well first off..... | SilverStar
Dec 30, 2003 7:32 AM | | Congrats on a great starter bike as you will learn new skills with it as you progress. Truth be told, that bike isn't worth the money to upgrade. I first started out on a cheap department store bike (a 1997 Huffy Stone Mountain from KMart) and when my skills advanced, I saved up and bought a better bike. I moved up to a 2000 Specialized Rockhopper and now I'm on a 2003 Rocky Mountain Trailhead with LX/XT drivetrain and Marz Bomber fork on it (upgraded from stock)---I like hardtails since there are fewer moving parts to worry about in a full suspension. The only thing worth urgrading on the Hardrock are the seats or handlebars and clipless pedals. Don't worry though, the Hardrock frame is stiff and will serve you well till you decide to get another bike. Good luck!!! |
| Tires, tubes... | pimpbot
Jan 7, 2004 12:03 AM | | Tires and tubes are an easy $60 upgrade that can shave a full pound of rotating weight easy. If you choose a tire that rolls well, you can also gain some extra free speed with greatly reduced rolling resistance. I use perofrmance lunarlites under Hutchinson Pythons in good weather. Easy upgrade with mad real-world results.
Also, Specialized stock bars are boat anchors. You can find a good 150g alloy bar for $20 that can shave 1/4-1/2 a pound easy.
And get some clipless pedals and bike shoes if you have not already. More cheap speed. |
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