i have a 08 Specialized Rockhopper (the basic one) ive upgraded a few things, what should i change next?
i started cycling 5 months ago when i bought a mtb Specialized rockhopper (the basic one) since then ive combined road and mountain training. i ride 55 km a day (road) and 30 km mountain on weekends.
THIS IS WHAT IVE CHANGED SO FAR:
shifters: SRAM attack twist shifters 9 speed, (sram x-4 8 speed)
cassette: SRAM 950 9 speed 11-34 (SRAM pg830 8speed 11-32)
chain: cant remember
derailleurs: front and back Shimano XT (SRAM X5 rear and Shimano Altus front)
handlebar: TITEC
bar ends: EC 90
tires: Panaracer fire XC pro 26 x 2.1 (Specialized Fastrack lk sport)
seat: Specialized Dolce body geometric gel saddle
what do you think i should change next and for what?
also: im a 5’5 110 lbs woman
Damn girl that’s not bad. I bailed out of Mountain bikes after I sold my Voodoo with Shimano XT. That was years ago. I ride road and Have a Scott CR1 with Campangolo Centaur. Couldn’t afford Record like on my old De Rosa. Sometimes after you upgrade so much it might be time to upgrade to a new bike. Go to your favorite shop and ride something maybe near the top of the Specialized line. This will give you an idea of what you are missing. I’ve been riding since I could play guitar. I started both at 6 years old. Now I’m 56.
I used to ride an old Raleigh Competition with 531 Reynolds, a classic now, on the streets till I rode into a rain gutter and totaled the bike and my shoulder. I rebuilt the bike all over again with better components. When I got the De Rosa Nuvo Classico, with TSX chromemoly, there was such a difference I couldn’t believe it. Any one who rides can tell you if you have a De Rosa or a Colnago or a Pinarello with full Record you are riding the best. I was surprised when I went from steel to Carbon fiber with the CR1.
My point is when you try one of those dream bikes you get a better idea of what will make you swoon for a bike. You can only dress a lower priced bike up so much. For me I liked hard tail bikes for the XC type of riding I used to do. If you do serious downhill then you need a soft tail. On your bike maybe improving the fork might be an option.
At 110 pounds your not going to make the shock depress much so keep a light feel on it. Go out and ride something even better. Specialized makes great bikes for road and dirt. So does Trek. Check out Mountain bike magazine and see what’s new. One way of getting to the next bike is to have the shop put it up on consignment. You can still ride it but it’s got to look nice and clean when it’s in the shop. They sell your bike you buy a new one from them. I did this with my GT and got the Voodoo.
The guy who said wheels is right the lighter the wheels the easier it is to climb. Rotating weight is much heavier then any other part of the bike. Just hold something in your hand and swing it around then pick up something heavier and swing that notice how much heavier it is? But Wheels are very expensive and buying a new bike with better frame and components and wheels is less money in the long run because you won’t recoup your money investing it on that bike.
You can upgrade but the Frame is the most important factor and you can’t change that without buying a new bike.
It’s like I tell people who buy a house with a great view. You can alter the house all you want, but you can’t add a great view. You have one or you don’t.
Exmoor XC MTB handlebar cam