Upgrade

[Trizz]

hey guys, definetly a newbe, but my question is, if you bought a bike in my case i got a gary fisher hifi pro, its all stock, what would be your first upgrade, so far i think either drive train, or brakes. i dont like the juicy 3 and they dont have good reviews either.

what do you thing?

thanks.

[northshore]

Originally Posted by Trizz

hey guys, definetly a newbe, but my question is, if you bought a bike in my case i got a gary fisher hifi pro, its all stock, what would be your first upgrade, so far i think either drive train, or brakes. i dont like the juicy 3 and they dont have good reviews either.

what do you thing?

thanks.

What style of riding are you aiming for? XC, AM?? What is your goal? How much are you looking to spend?

[Trizz]

i think im geared more toward the AM, but im not sure my bike is built for it, iv gone on some rough terrain with no problem though,
i am really new, only had my bike for 2 months.

[dubjay]

What's wrong with the brakes other than what other people think about them?

I wouldn't upgrade for the sake of upgrading - unless there was some real isse that is needed to be addressed.

[Trizz]

thats why im asking, i need to get them to grab earlier, yesterday i was pulling all the way to the bar and i wasnt stopping, and i have had nothing but problems with the front break rubbing on the disc, i have taken it to the shop like 3 times and they cant get it to stop rubbing, they tell me to just ride and it will eventually wear out.

[dubjay]

Originally Posted by Trizz

thats why im asking, i need to get them to grab earlier, yesterday i was pulling all the way to the bar and i wasnt stopping, and i have had nothing but problems with the front break rubbing on the disc, i have taken it to the shop like 3 times and they cant get it to stop rubbing, they tell me to just ride and it will eventually wear out.

1) The brakes probably need to be bled.
2) You probably should find a new shop..

Doing #2 will probably take care of #1.

[Trizz]

Originally Posted by dubjay

1) The brakes probably need to be bled.
2) You probably should find a new shop..

Doing #2 will probably take care of #1.

they did bleed them 1 time
and since i bought the bike from them they do it for free for a year,

so i guess i will be taking it back and tell them they need to fix it for good no screwing around, also i found gary fisher had a recall on the part the connects my rear shock to the fram, and i need them to correct that as well.

[dubjay]

Originally Posted by Trizz

they did bleed them 1 time
and since i bought the bike from them they do it for free for a year,

so i guess i will be taking it back and tell them they need to fix it for good no screwing around, also i found gary fisher had a recall on the part the connects my rear shock to the fram, and i need them to correct that as well.

If they really did bleed them once, and they're still going all the way to the bars before stopping, they may not have bled them properly.

Free for a year is a great thing, but if they don't perform the fixes/maintenance correctly, it may not even be worth it.

[Pato]

Originally Posted by dubjay

I wouldn't upgrade for the sake of upgrading - unless there was some real isse that needed to be addressed.

1) The brakes probably need to be bled.
2) You probably should find a new shop..

Doing #2 will probably take care of #1.

Agreed! Since you're a self proclaimed newbie, I would replace things when they break not just for the sake of upgrading. Once you have more experience, you'll have a better picture of what you'll want/need. Be very careful upgraditis is very contagious and hard to cure. I should know. 9 bikes and two more in the works.

One other note is that disk brakes need to bed in before they are working optimally. After you get the brakes bled (I'd give the shop you bought it from another shot though since they most likely won't charge you for it), you should take the time to properly bed them in. 20 - 30 good hard stops from full speed should do it. Make sure to get your weight back when slamming on the fronts brakes or you'll be getting face well acquainted with the ground in short order.

Duc

[Trizz]

thanks for the reply's guys. i will look into that for sure, have them bleed it again,

Originally Posted by Pato

Agreed! Since you're a self proclaimed newbie, I would replace things when they break not just for the sake of upgrading. Once you have more experience, you'll have a better picture of what you'll want/need. Be very careful upgraditis is very contagious and hard to cure. I should know. 9 bikes and two more in the works.

One other note is that disk brakes need to bed in before they are working optimally. After you get the brakes bled (I'd give the shop you bought it from another shot though since they most likely won't charge you for it), you should take the time to properly bed them in. 20 - 30 good hard stops from full speed should do it. Make sure to get your weight back when slamming on the fronts brakes or you'll be getting face well acquainted with the ground in short order.

Duc

yeah the guy at the shop told me to go home when i came in asking the same question about upgrades. lol

[northshore]

I have Avid 3s on my Horse and Hayes mechanicals on my SS and no issues! I just readjusted mine so I don't have to yank on the levers as deep. Only a touch will do. I agree with the rest, just ride your bike as is and try to improve your riding skills. Use your brakes when you only have to!

[SSinGA]

Juicy brakes require a 3 step bleed process. You really need to follow the instructions exactly or the results will be sub-par.

Along with the bleed I would suggest cleaning your rotors with some steel wool followed by rubbing alcohol. Replace the pads too if that hasn't been done lately.

Lastly, learn to work on your own bike. Get the Avid bleed kit and DIY. Don't expect the shop to actually employ an expert to work on your bike.

[Trizz]

Originally Posted by SSinGA

Juicy brakes require a 3 step bleed process. You really need to follow the instructions exactly or the results will be sub-par.

Along with the bleed I would suggest cleaning your rotors with some steel wool followed by rubbing alcohol. Replace the pads too if that hasn't been done lately.

Lastly, learn to work on your own bike. Get the Avid bleed kit and DIY. Don't expect the shop to actually employ an expert to work on your bike.

I want to learn to work on my bike, i bought the book zinn for mountain bike maintenance, just havent bought the tools yet, a tool kit costs 120 buck, and a stand costs another 150 or more, but it will come eventually.

[SSinGA]

Originally Posted by Trizz

I want to learn to work on my bike, i bought the book zinn for mountain bike maintenance, just havent bought the tools yet, a tool kit costs 120 buck, and a stand costs another 150 or more, but it will come eventually.

Avid bleed kit is around $30. It has all the tools/supplies you will need to bleed your brakes.

[Trizz]

Originally Posted by SSinGA

Avid bleed kit is around $30. It has all the tools/supplies you will need to bleed your brakes.

there is a lot of bike websites out there, does anyone use one inparticular thats trust worthy.

[Pato]

Originally Posted by Trizz

there is a lot of bike websites out there, does anyone use one inparticular thats trust worthy.

Oh, where to start? Here's a couple.

http://www.parktool.com/repair/

http://www.sheldonbrown.com/

This upcoming event's got your name written all over it.

Maintenance Clinic At Switchback Cyclery

[Trizz]

oh man, that place is right down the street from my house. cool. but i have school that night, first week of school cant miss.
there will be more i will have to hit up.

thanks for all the help guys, glad i found this place.

[Pato]

Originally Posted by Trizz

oh man, that place is right down the street from my house. cool. but i have school that night, first week of school cant miss.

Nag Dino Brown to setup a bike maintenance workshop. He's been talking about setting one up.

[BrewMaster]

Don't let us or anyone else decide what you should to upgrade. In time you will find things that you would prefer changing based on the feel of your bike. Working on your own bike gets you intimately acquainted with you bike and you may find things you want to change that way as well.

Enjoy the ride. Everything else is just BS and details.

[Red Ryder]

Another bike maintenance page to look at:

http://www.utahmountainbiking.com/fix/index.htm