Recently got this Northrock xcf at Costco. It’s my first fat bike and so far I am absolutely addicted!
I’ve learned quite a bit in just the first few days of owning it. I can’t wait until we get some serious snow so I can really see how it preforms.
What are your guy’s thoughts on this bike? Is it worth it as time goes on to upgrade parts or save for something nicer in the future? I’m in no rush to buy another bike just not sure if I should save that money for something in the future or upgrade.
Where I’m at we have a lot of ice in the winter and I realized some studded tires would be a great idea but they are 3/4 the price of the bike. That being said a nasty spill on the ice could cost me 10x that in missed pay.
Besides tires what would you recommend to upgrade as time goes on?
by thetallone346
9 Comments
Studded tire could easily transfer to a future bike
Dropper
Dropper post, and maybe a bag to store tools and spare parts.
I always start with grips, seat, pedals. Ride till things wear out; drive-train and breaks mostly. I am in the middle of a 10 year old Salsa mukluk, overhaul. Looking at bars, full XT drive-train & breaks. Ride, ride, ride….and dial it in. My every year goal is 1k miles, no matter the terrain.
Haven’t looked at the current specs but generally in the past the crank arms were very short, so if that’s still the case you might want to upgrade to more appropriate length crank arms.
One Up composite pedals and One Up thick grips
Highly recommend studded tires if you’ll be riding on ice, keep in mind pavement is not very kind to studs though. A dropper is a must have for me, riding in deep snow without one isn’t a great experience.
I’m team “if you don’t know what needs upgraded don’t upgrade it” as well as team anti-dropper post, since it seems you are riding in snow ice etc and not on intermediate-advanced mountain biking trails.
That’s still using quick release for your axles. It’s not a dealbreaker at all, but thru is nicer for the stiffness especially for fat. Otherwise that’s a great value for bike, and I only mention it for your comment about building up or upgrading.
Maybe before a dropper (depending on what you’re trying to use it for) brakes could be a good upgrade if you’re really trying to spend money. That’s using cable operated brakes, which are fine enough. I had a Northrock years ago and I remember the brakes being fine enough though. Switching to a nice hydraulic, or even just upgrading to compressionless brake cables can give you better control or improved braking though and is well worth it (and transferrable if you do upgrade frame).
And tubeless! That’s a game changer with fat!