Itchin to upgrade

[jayman_29]

I think I better start looking around for hand built wheel sets from all of your advice. I know the Path builds them, anyone else?

[mntbiker12]

Not discounting the value of a good, handbuilt wheelset, but you might want to try the fork upgrade first. As others have said, a good fork may give you the most noticeable difference in ride quality right off the bat. I know when I started riding, my first fork upgrade made a huge difference!

[allison]

Originally Posted by jayman_29

Its funny, I read in the latest MBA magazine that my bike was the lightest in a shootout of the $1500 bikes. To me, its still kind of heavy. Whenever I go climbing hills, I see my brother and our friends way up ahead of me. The bikes in our group are 3 stumpjumpers, and my brother's Superlight. If my bike is so light, how come they fly past me?!!! Yeah, I'm a big tub o' lard but they're not skinny either. I guess I just have to get into shape, thats the main reason why I started mountain biking.

Genetics... even though you and your brother are clearly related, he still may be better built toward climbing. Everyone's got different speeds going uphill and down. Some are just better suited to suffering than others! Or, maybe his system is just in better shape.

[allison]

Originally Posted by jayman_29

Hmmmmmmm, I wonder if I should only hit up one sale. I mean, I hate buying something at one place then seeing it at another place cheaper after you thought that you got a killer deal. Oh well, I guess I'll have to tough it out.

The sales are gonna be fairly different... From what I understand Jenson is just blowing stuff out at crazy prices. IF you get lucky you'll get some good stuff really cheap. I'm guessing it's partly stuff they are blowing out to make room for 08 goodies.

The Path isn't really blowing anything out. They're just going to have deals on boutique bikes, and really good prices on 05/06 bikes that they have in stock.

The Path may end up offering stuff lower, but I think as far as wheelsets and forks go... if you get a killer deal at the Jenson sale it'll end up being the lowest price.

There may be different stuff at the Path, but not necessarily the same.

Originally Posted by jayman_29

I think I better start looking around for hand built wheel sets from all of your advice. I know the Path builds them, anyone else?

Hubby has built about 5 wheelsets of ours and he is the most harsh rider on parts ever. His wheelsets have held up fine, as have mine. As any wheelset, they need to be trued now and then, but no issues otherwise.

PM him mechmann.

If you feel more comfortable having a shop build them, go to the Path.

[SAR_boats]

Originally Posted by jayman_29

I think I better start looking around for hand built wheel sets from all of your advice. I know the Path builds them, anyone else?

Tim at Switchback Cyclery builds the best wheelsets in the known universe.

[Schecky]

Andrenaline, The Path, Switchback.
They will all treat you very well!

[nappyt]

Originally Posted by jayman_29

Hi!

I have a 2007 Specialized FSR XC Comp and was wondering what I should upgrade first, fork or wheelset?

The fork I have now (Rock Shox Recon 335) seems ok, but I can't find any info on it so the forks I'm looking at are the Talas 32 (either R or RLC), Rock Shox Reba Race and Revelation. I read that the maximum travel for my bike is 130mm. Since the Talas' and Revelation's maximums are 140mm, would the extra 10mm be too much fir my bike? I don't do much riding as I'd like to and if I do, its just local like Chino Hills, Whiting, Santa Rosa, etc.

As far as wheelsets, this is still an unknown area for me. I'm about 5'7" and 200 lbs (I don't have a six pack, but I don't have a keg either...I've got a party ball! ). I want the wheelset to lighten my bike but I also want something that won't taco under my weight.

I like my bike right now but I know I want to get a bike that is a little more on the AM side later. Since I can't really get a new bike right now, I want to upgrade what I can. Any recommendations would be greatly appreciated. I want to be armed with knowing what to look for when I hit the sales this weekend.


Jay

I would go with a light wheelset and maybe UST or NoTubes if you have the guts. I liked NoTubes but it didn't work for a clyde like me. Light wheels will give you immediate performance improvements. That was the biggest change I noticed on my Superlight from everything else I upgraded.

Then find an air fork that fits. 130mm max for that bike sounds wrong. I would guess 105mm would be the max but anything over 100-105mm is going change everything about the bike from handeling, climbing, steering, etc. If you want an AM bike get one you can't make an XC be something its not without loosing something.

I would suggest while you have that bike getting a F100 fork if you can swing it. Maybe get an older/used one on eBay and send it to PUSH Ind. and have them rebuild/customize it in for you.

Good luck... I tried to make my SL something it wasn't. Now that I have an AM bike, I can see all I did was screw up a good bike XC rig.

[TrailJesus]

Had my wheels built up at Adrenaline. No issues as of yet. Good place, good people. Go check em' out.

[jayman_29]

It looks like I'll be looking for a wheelset and a fork this weekend. Thanks for all the input everboy. Hopefully I'll make it out to a ride sometime soon. Hopefully I'll meet some of you this weekend at the sales. Thanks alot!

[CeeDubb]

[allison]

Originally Posted by CeeDubb

OT... can you send me the file that you can type in the box?