Itchin to upgrade

[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

[CeeDubb]

What's your budget? I would suggest upgrading the drivetrain first. For some reason, the better your bike shifts, the faster it feels.

On my Epic, I first went with a drivetrain upgrade. Went to XTR. Shifts like butter. Money well spent!!

Then I went to a tubeless wheelset. Mavic CrossMax SLRs. They weren't that much lighter than my original Mavics, but they were much stiffer and had a better freewheel. And I haven't experienced a flat tire since I went tubeless. Again, money well spent.

My Epic came with a Fox fork F100RL, that has always performed well.

[allison]

Don't forget there are two big sales going on this weekend that you could possibly pick up both for cheap!!

Jenson's parking lot sale is on Saturday.

The Path's back to school say is in Sunday.

[CeeDubb]

BTW...Since I went with Dual Controls, the brakes were kind of upgraded by default. A great set of brakes will also make you faster on descents...

[jayman_29]

I've been planning on going to the sales after I read about them on the forums. I'm even planning on breaking out the "EMERGENCY" credit card.

I never thought of upgrading the drivetrain. I bought a Shimano XTR CS-M970 cassette from a friend of mine who didn't want to put it on his bike. I'll put that on along with a new chain if I find a good crankset. Hopefully there'll be some on sale. I just hope I wake up early enough.

[PacMan]

My train of thought has always been to upgrade suspension first. Once you've got that, go for wheels and drivetrain. A light set of wheels will make you go faster. That being said, good brakes are right up there too. As Cee Dub said, a good set of brakes will make you go faster too.

If the drivetrain is working, I would leave it for last, but that's just my opinion. You will be more likely to feel an immediate improvement with upgraded suspension, brakes and wheels--in that order.

[jayman_29]

So do you think that those forks I'm looking at will be "too much"? I don't want to get a fork that will mess up my frame. I've read that 100mm is more than enough travel. Would getting a fork that goes up to 140mm be overkill?

[PacMan]

Originally Posted by jayman_29

So do you think that those forks I'm looking at will be "too much"? I don't want to get a fork that will mess up my frame. I've read that 100mm is more than enough travel. Would getting a fork that goes up to 140mm be overkill?

This is all strictly my opinion: If the bike came spec'd with a 100mm fork, that's what I would stay with.

The Fox F100 is one of the best out there if you can afford it: http://www.beyondbikes.com/BB/ItemDesc.asp?IC=FK%2DFX%2DF100RLC8D

The Marzocchi XC700 and XC600 are decent too, but Marzocchi stuff is usually heavier than other forks. The MX Pro is cheaper and heavier and probably not really an upgrade form your Recon. Beyond Bikes has some sick deals on the '07's: http://www.beyondbikes.com/bb/items.asp?cc=FK-MAR07

I run a Rock Shox Reba Race on my SS, mainly because I was trying to go lightweight and didn'y have the $$ for a Fox F100. It's a pretty nice fork and probably a bit nicer than the stock Recon that came on your FSR: http://www.beyondbikes.com/BB/ItemDe...DRS%2DRebaRace

I would go with the F100 if you can swing it.

As far as wheels go, the Mavic Crosslands are a sweet deal for the money. Lighter than most stock wheelsets and tough enough for standard trail riding. I have a set and have had ZERO touble with them--all for $250: http://www.beyondbikes.com/BB/ItemDe...FAC%2DXlandSil


Yes I gave all Beyond Bikes links (I just started working there), but our prices are very competitive. You should shop around though to see if you can find them cheaper. And then I believe Beyond Bikes will price match

[Keith B]

I would contradict the above and go for good wheels. Rotating mass is worth 4 times the weight loss of other components and you can just transfer the wheels to another bike if and when you get a better frame.

[allison]

Originally Posted by Keith B

I would contradict the above and go for good wheels. Rotating mass is worth 4 times the weight loss of other components and you can just transfer the wheels to another bike if and when you get a better frame.

I can't speak to whether or not this actually correct, but our LBS guy says the same thing. Decreasing rotating mass makes the bike go faster.

Now, if you're looking for a more cush ride... that's different.

But, I still think if you get to Jenson's early you can kill two birds with one stone and get a fork and a wheelset.

[PacMan]

Originally Posted by Keith B

I would contradict the above and go for good wheels. Rotating mass is worth 4 times the weight loss of other components and you can just transfer the wheels to another bike if and when you get a better frame.

I mainly gave advice with this in mind, which is why I thought suspension:

Originally Posted by jayman_29

I like my bike right now but I know I want to get a bike that is a little more on the AM side. Since I can't really get a new bike right now, I want to upgrade what I can.

[Keith B]

A lighter rotating mass needs less energy to spin it up to speed - so under acceleration conditions light wheels are the shiznit.

[PacMan]

Originally Posted by Keith B

A lighter rotating mass needs less energy to spin it up to speed - so under acceleration conditions light wheels are the shiznit.

Well, yeah. That's not really a surprise to anyone is it?

[CeeDubb]

[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.

[Collette]

The Mavic Crossrides are also a killer option. Under 2,000 grams and around $180.00. I have a set hanging in the garage, but when I was riding it, it only needed one true in about 2 years of technical AM riding.

[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.

[PacMan]

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.

The Stumpy's and the Superlight are still a little bit further up the food chain than your XC Comp. The FSR XC's are a good bike for the money though. My dad has an '04 XC Pro and loves it.

[Waldo]

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.

Have you ridden those other bikes to get an idea of what, if anything, is different? Could be lighter specs, but good climbing could also have something to do with gearing, tires, suspension, or - oh yeah - the rider!

And by "heavy" do you literally mean the bike's overall weight, or is that a reference to sluggish handling? Depending on the symptoms, that might be improved with faster tires, lighter wheels, lower gearing, or a different stem length...or a new bike!

I agree about rotating mass having a big impact. A` lighter wheelset was my best bang-for-buck upgrade in terms of feeling quicker & faster. But a great fork can give you more control which is a major key to happy, healthy riding. It can make you steer better, climb better, and brake better, and just might save your bacon on a nasty downhill. If you've tried others that feel much better than your Recon, I'd start there.

Going a little over spec'd length with the TALAS isn't necesarily a problem since you can run it in the middle of its length anytime you're not doing a nasty descent. It's a great riding fork that also holds its resale value (since you're already talking about different bikes down the line). Just keep in mind that running an over-length fork might void your frame warranty, if that's a concern to you.

Happy shopping!

[dstepper]

You can have the most expensive frame and suspension there is and if you have junk wheel set it will be a bad flexy ride.

IMO: I agree with the others above that point you in the direction of a good wheelset hand built by a known wheel builder.