Any MTB / Bicycle experts here ???

[03001978]

Kinioo

Considering how substantial you want to upgrade the bike, you would save a lot of money buying a new/used bike and get close to the spec that you want.

The upgrades you mention would be apprx 700 ish, that is the price of a decent hard tail, the entry level rockhopper which is a much better frame than the hardrock if you want to stay with specialised.

Bike shops have two sales a year for bikes generally, one in August and one in January time as part of the Christmas sales. They have a sale in August because the next years bikes are launched then so you can get a decent deal on the current year bikes if you search around.

You could then use your SBC as a winter bike / pub bike or sell it to fund the new bike.

What do you want to use the bike for? Is it to be used for trail riding or is it Land Rover tracks etc...?

Cheers
CW

[Kinioo]

Yes, here is what I plan to do:

Keep my Hardrock, make it good i.e. replace broken shifters and:

- want to change a crank (probably stick to 3 as it is but can be 2) - here is my question what is a good improvement and good value for the money and what would fit ??
- want to change front derailleur - what is a good value for the money ??

Then I will kepp it and take it to our holiday home.

Now, I am looking for a 'new' bike with better spec / components (as you say).
Probably will go for second hand bike. I can increase my budget to 500.

Please do advise me what bike make / model I should / can look for and are worth considering (I am green here) - no need to be Specialized.

What do you think about two bikes I put links to ??

Many thanks chaps,

C.

[boristhebold]

The Specialized isn't worth spending money on. I'd bet the headset and bottom bracket need replacing if all the rest is shot. Bin it. But a cheap 2nd hand hybrid for the holiday home and a decent MTB for home. The voodoo get great write ups. What is your total budget?
Pauls cycles always have decent savings on older bikes
http://www.paulscycles.co.uk/m1b0s155p5 ... 9ER-4-2013

[Kinioo]

The Specialized isn't worth spending money on. I'd bet the headset and bottom bracket need replacing if all the rest is shot. Bin it. But a cheap 2nd hand hybrid for the holiday home and a decent MTB for home. The voodoo get great write ups. What is your total budget?
Pauls cycles always have decent savings on older bikes
http://www.paulscycles.co.uk/m1b0s155p5 ... 9ER-4-2013

Budget is max 500.

Wont be buying another two bikes as you say.

Will get current one good - keep it as holiday bike;
- my questions here as above;

Will look for a new (second hand one) shortly;
- my questions here as above.

Thanks

PS;
Yes reading more and more about Voodoo Hoodoo but pre 2013 versions but also like this one: Boardman Urban MTB Team (a bit lighter than Voodoo),

but still waiting for your thoughts on other makes / models worth considering.

[03001978]

A bike that could be up-gradable is always worth keeping (if by you or by someone else), even as a hack bike etc...

With regards to chainsets
Take a look at this
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/shim ... -prod40496
Newer style chainset with the integrated axle (and it will come complete with a new bottom bracket.(it will work with your 7 speed setup)
They are very easy to fit, but you will need two tools (a bottom bracket cup remover/installer) and a torque cap tool. You will of course need a crank puller and bottom bracket tool to remove your old cranks.
Alternatively, a bike shop could do this for you. approx £20-30 depending on how many biscuits you take for them!

With regards to front derailleurs, even though you are running sram shifters you can run a shimano front mech if you want (I run a sram setup but prefer the shifting of a shimano mech) anything from deore level will be fine - you wont notice a huge difference for spending more money.

If you want to keep costs low, change the shifters like for like, are the shifters broken?

If the bike is given a wee service it will perform better. i.e new inner and outer cables and a new chain will make a huge difference. Again, I have a preference towards scram chains, can be easily maintained with their quick link for cleaning etc...

Regards to second hand bikes, it is really what is available in your area. My recommendation is any second bike you buy, replace the chain straight away, as you do not know what life is left in it and it will prolong the life our rear cassette.

Cheers
CW

[Roy C.]

Bin all drive components and make it singlespeed

[boristhebold]

The Specialized isn't worth spending money on. I'd bet the headset and bottom bracket need replacing if all the rest is shot. Bin it. But a cheap 2nd hand hybrid for the holiday home and a decent MTB for home. The voodoo get great write ups. What is your total budget?
Pauls cycles always have decent savings on older bikes
http://www.paulscycles.co.uk/m1b0s155p5 ... 9ER-4-2013

Budget is max 500.

Wont be buying another two bikes as you say.

Will get current one good - keep it as holiday bike;
- my questions here as above;

Will look for a new (second hand one) shortly;
- my questions here as above.

Thanks

PS;
Yes reading more and more about Voodoo Hoodoo but pre 2013 versions but also like this one: Boardman Urban MTB Team (a bit lighter than Voodoo),

but still waiting for your thoughts on other makes / models worth considering.

Is the £500 inclusive of fixing the Specialized? If so, I'd rethink it. By admission you are green. It is a waste of time and money to try to fix up your current bike and may cost more than buying a very good replacement. You will be able to get two bikes for £500 provided you pick carefully and do a good search. Otherwise, chuck some money at the current bike and give a local bike shop some work.

[Kinioo]

The Specialized isn't worth spending money on. I'd bet the headset and bottom bracket need replacing if all the rest is shot. Bin it. But a cheap 2nd hand hybrid for the holiday home and a decent MTB for home. The voodoo get great write ups. What is your total budget?
Pauls cycles always have decent savings on older bikes
http://www.paulscycles.co.uk/m1b0s155p5 ... 9ER-4-2013

Budget is max 500.

Wont be buying another two bikes as you say.

Will get current one good - keep it as holiday bike;
- my questions here as above;

Will look for a new (second hand one) shortly;
- my questions here as above.

Thanks

PS;
Yes reading more and more about Voodoo Hoodoo but pre 2013 versions but also like this one: Boardman Urban MTB Team (a bit lighter than Voodoo),

but still waiting for your thoughts on other makes / models worth considering.

Is the £500 inclusive of fixing the Specialized? If so, I'd rethink it. By admission you are green. It is a waste of time and money to try to fix up your current bike and may cost more than buying a very good replacement. You will be able to get two bikes for £500 provided you pick carefully and do a good search. Otherwise, chuck some money at the current bike and give a local bike shop some work.

No, 500 is for 'new' second hand bike.

Hardrock will stay with me will make it good and replace shifters like for like.

[Kinioo]

A bike that could be up-gradable is always worth keeping (if by you or by someone else), even as a hack bike etc...

With regards to chainsets
Take a look at this
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/shim ... -prod40496
Newer style chainset with the integrated axle (and it will come complete with a new bottom bracket.(it will work with your 7 speed setup)
They are very easy to fit, but you will need two tools (a bottom bracket cup remover/installer) and a torque cap tool. You will of course need a crank puller and bottom bracket tool to remove your old cranks.
Alternatively, a bike shop could do this for you. approx £20-30 depending on how many biscuits you take for them!

With regards to front derailleurs, even though you are running sram shifters you can run a shimano front mech if you want (I run a sram setup but prefer the shifting of a shimano mech) anything from deore level will be fine - you wont notice a huge difference for spending more money.

If you want to keep costs low, change the shifters like for like, are the shifters broken?

If the bike is given a wee service it will perform better. i.e new inner and outer cables and a new chain will make a huge difference. Again, I have a preference towards scram chains, can be easily maintained with their quick link for cleaning etc...

Regards to second hand bikes, it is really what is available in your area. My recommendation is any second bike you buy, replace the chain straight away, as you do not know what life is left in it and it will prolong the life our rear cassette.

Cheers
CW

many thanks CW, that is what I was after.

Front shifter is gone so will replace with sram x3 like for like.

Rear derailleurs is OK just need proper cleaning / adjusting.

Front one is gone so will need replacing - don't mind for any other makes/models here.
Do you recommend anything in particular??

Yes, the chain is going to be replaced as well.
What chain do you use (similarly I prefer something with quick link)

many thanks again,

chris

[willywombat64]

putting a new chain on an old cassette is bad advice I'm afraid. It will most likely slip as the teeth will be worn to the elongated pitch of the old chain. Best to change both chain and cassette together so they mate together properly. many people buy 3 chains and rotate them to avoid excess wear to the cassette ( rear sprocket ) .