This is going to be my first project bike. Where do I start when it comes to upgrades? Any help or tips is appreciated!
by Express-Meal-9602
This is going to be my first project bike. Where do I start when it comes to upgrades? Any help or tips is appreciated!
by Express-Meal-9602
15 Comments
Why does this need to be upgraded? Within this question, you will find the answer to your question.
Idk man I’d just give it a really good scrub down, replace the chain and maybe the cables, remove the reflectors, grease everything up, index the derailleurs and fucking send it. Sweet bike.
Obviously you can do more if you want to.
Such a steal. I’d get a new chain and pedals. Clean it up nicely too. Make sure the brake and shift cables are all good.
Lucky you! Have fun with it!
On the updates — I would make it 1x drivetrain first. Your rear derailleur can probably eat up bigger cassette, so you might get solid 11-40T. Then new cables, housings, probably a more comfy seat and of course a weird handlebar. That’s how you make it!
I’ll give you 40$ right now…
Help? You’ve done pretty well already for $20. 😀
I bought an older Rockhopper and immediately did upgrades. It’s become my favorite bike and I don’t regret anything. But, in hindsight, get it all turned up. Ride it around and see what you like or don’t like. Not saying don’t go for cool upgrades, but find a reason first – not just for the sake of it.
Check the tires for cracks and replace if needed. Put some bolts in those bottle cages, some new grips and a one bolt seat post if you want to go a bit further than the other comments. Nice bike!
I’d just give ‘er a bath and ride it then go from there!
The first thing I would do is remove all those reflectors and give it a bath. Then start checking all the components to see what needs some love. From there you can determine what you want to repair vs replace. Once you have that figured out, you decide what changes you want to make, work it all up and go ride..
Or you could just ride it as is, which is the boring option
After a good wash and a tune up, depending on how worn out and how comfortable I feel on the bike, I would start with updating the saddle and grips since those are your main contact points, then it’s up to you and the type riding you want to do
Sweet ride tho
Honestly just a tune up and tires if those ones are original. I have a 930 that I have surly open bars and a wald basket. Has the most miles on it this season out of my stable.
That thing is fucked. I’ll take it off your hands for $30. I’m doing you a favor, really… (/s if not obvious)
I’d probably replace the chain, and I bet those brake pads are hard as rocks from age, but otherwise it looks like all you need to do is clean and ride.
Seat. Pedals and grips maybe tires
One of the best upgrades to my ’98 Trek was putting V-brakes on. They’re so much easier to adjust than the cantilevers that came on it. Installation isn’t hard if you have experience tinkering with a Allen key, but if you’re not able to yourself, go to a non-fancy bike shop where older bikes are common
if it was me I would use it to move around and lock it an urban area, therefore I would keep upgrades to a minimum. however:
– new comfortable pedals, also probably the old one cheap bearings on those pedals area dead
– of course clean as well as possible
– new chain after drivetrain is clean. in my case I have a waxed chain so that I don’t ruin my regular clothes I sometimes wear with these bikes. this is probably the costliest upgrade but that nobody other than me would ever notice it.
– not against reflectors but I would put new ones. one of my local bike shops has a box and gives them away, they come with MTB and road bikes by law in the box but customers do not want them installed.