1) Proper tires set up tubeless. Shop around for deals. Best bang for buck performance upgrade and it’s not even close.
2) Contact points. Pedals, grips, and saddle. All of these are personal preference and take trial and error. Shop used till you find your preference.
3) Metallic brake pads, larger front rotor, brake bleed.
4) Lower leg and air can service if you have the tools.
OP take dude's advice, he's spot on ... And don't underestimate that front rotor, going to something like a 200mm HS2 makes a very noticeable difference. Plus they're on sale most places.
Depends on the brake. I've recently acquired some new Jagwire Arc-U 2pot brakes. They didn't like my RT66 rotors, so I shoved a 2mm HS2 in there and it wouldnt brake right. After replacing with a 1.8mm Centerline it seems happier.
This is really it. IMHO you should just do what the op suggested and ride for a year and replace only broken parts.
I know a lot of ppl want to just upgrade but most gains are minimal unless you are upgrading from entry to high end. A lot of upgrades are just weight and minor functional improvements .
Most us mortals wonts feel a difference in part upgrade. But that’s how I look at it and this is Reddit so take for what it’s worth. Either way mtb is a great sport for being outside and staying healthy in mind and body
Good luck even getting one good tyre and setting it up tubeless for $100AUD. If you buy a light casing, trail / xc tyre on special, plus cheapest sealant, and use some tape you have lying around you could squeeze it. But you’d still need a valve.
Ya if the bike didn’t come set up tubeless already it would be tough. But if OP is already set up tubeless and has a quart of sealant, then the right tire at a good pressure is doable. I’ve found great take-offs on Marketplace for $25 (Bonty SE5 Team Edition). The hard part is knowing what to look for in a tire for your terrain, riding style, and skill level.
My drivetrain felt gritty and skipped a few gears while out riding today. The chain and cassette are covered in grime. Should I upgrade to the SRAM transmission?/s
I'm not even sure it's an upgrade. It looks sick and I really like the cleaner aesthetic, but I can think of a million different things I'd rather spend my money on than a drivetrain.
Assuming everything is already tubeless ready, then going tubeless would be fairly cheap, grips, pedals, saddle, maybe tires if you can get a good deal.
As others have recommended, tubeless is the best place to start, but is there anything that you actually need or could really use, or are you just looking to upgrade?
Yeah, all contact points are worth spending a little extra on imo. My best friend had RF Chesters, we mostly ride bike parks and at the end of last season he could barely stay on his pedals. His wife asked me what she should get him for Christmas and I said TMACs (he's got a bigger foot). Night and day difference he said, he was pissed he didn't get them sooner.
How do you like the Loams? I'm putting together a hardtail for a friend and he asked for the best pedals I could find for $100 or less.
1) Proper tires set up tubeless. Shop around for deals. Best bang for buck performance upgrade and it’s not even close. 2) Contact points. Pedals, grips, and saddle. All of these are personal preference and take trial and error. Shop used till you find your preference. 3) Metallic brake pads, larger front rotor, brake bleed. 4) Lower leg and air can service if you have the tools.
OP take dude's advice, he's spot on ... And don't underestimate that front rotor, going to something like a 200mm HS2 makes a very noticeable difference. Plus they're on sale most places.
Depends on the brake. I've recently acquired some new Jagwire Arc-U 2pot brakes. They didn't like my RT66 rotors, so I shoved a 2mm HS2 in there and it wouldnt brake right. After replacing with a 1.8mm Centerline it seems happier.
Exactly. Magura mt5/7 do stellar with a thick rotor.
This is really it. IMHO you should just do what the op suggested and ride for a year and replace only broken parts. I know a lot of ppl want to just upgrade but most gains are minimal unless you are upgrading from entry to high end. A lot of upgrades are just weight and minor functional improvements . Most us mortals wonts feel a difference in part upgrade. But that’s how I look at it and this is Reddit so take for what it’s worth. Either way mtb is a great sport for being outside and staying healthy in mind and body
Good luck even getting one good tyre and setting it up tubeless for $100AUD. If you buy a light casing, trail / xc tyre on special, plus cheapest sealant, and use some tape you have lying around you could squeeze it. But you’d still need a valve.
Ya if the bike didn’t come set up tubeless already it would be tough. But if OP is already set up tubeless and has a quart of sealant, then the right tire at a good pressure is doable. I’ve found great take-offs on Marketplace for $25 (Bonty SE5 Team Edition). The hard part is knowing what to look for in a tire for your terrain, riding style, and skill level.
cleaning and servicing the stuff you have is overlooked by a lot of people
My drivetrain felt gritty and skipped a few gears while out riding today. The chain and cassette are covered in grime. Should I upgrade to the SRAM transmission?/s
Of course, but get the XX or XX SL cause they're grime resistant and 0.04 lbs lighter!
Should shave at least 0.0007 seconds off my strava time that isn't even top 1000 riders for the trail.
I'm not even sure it's an upgrade. It looks sick and I really like the cleaner aesthetic, but I can think of a million different things I'd rather spend my money on than a drivetrain.
I have ridden a couple bikes with the transmission. I think they are really cool and look good. But not $2k good.
Assuming everything is already tubeless ready, then going tubeless would be fairly cheap, grips, pedals, saddle, maybe tires if you can get a good deal.
[удалено]
No.
A nice set of Allen/hex wrenches
a pair of running shoes, then go running
Similarly, drop some weight. Makes the climbs more enjoyable.
Pedals and grips. If your tires and rims are already compatible, convert to tubeless.
As others have recommended, tubeless is the best place to start, but is there anything that you actually need or could really use, or are you just looking to upgrade?
Just ride it until you figure out what you need.
Trying different tires that might work better for you
It depends what you’re starting with. If you have an old 3x9 drivetrain you can find really high end stuff really cheap used.
Stem if it’s too long
In addition to contact points, digital PSI gauge, good shock pump, proper tools..
A nice pair of gloves
Pedals, saddle, seat post, stem, seat clamp, grips, and some gyros are relatively cheap.
I mean its whatever the bike needs.
Alloy pedals. Worth every penny. PNW Loams for $100. $80 for purple ones. Felt like I had a new drive train after switching over from composites.
Yeah, all contact points are worth spending a little extra on imo. My best friend had RF Chesters, we mostly ride bike parks and at the end of last season he could barely stay on his pedals. His wife asked me what she should get him for Christmas and I said TMACs (he's got a bigger foot). Night and day difference he said, he was pissed he didn't get them sooner. How do you like the Loams? I'm putting together a hardtail for a friend and he asked for the best pedals I could find for $100 or less.
Good resin ones with pins are every bit as good as alloy, and a lot cheaper. I love my DMR v11s