MTB Upgrades

[mtbdarby]

Salsa, I've been called many things in my life but petite isn't one of them
I'm 5'6', 150 lbs. I'm solid, just narrow shoulders, little hands, short arms and legs. The reason I didn't think carbon would be a good metal is because of rugged terrain at the Underdown here, and I've heard it has more of a tendancy to break where as steel will bend. We had 2 people break carbon seatposts in the race this weekend. I'd rather have a suspension seatpost since I have a hardtail. I'm looking put a little more cushion on this bike without upgrading to a fs.

Oh, this is XC or endurance riding.

[fatbottomedgurl]

Maybe the ones you are looking for are the Ergon grips. There are two styles, one has a little bar end. The best price I have seen is at Performance. Let us know if you try these. They look a little funky but the ergonomics sounds convincing.

[SalsaMTB]

For suspension seatpost, the Cane Creek Thudbuster gets a lot of positive reviews. I personally have not tried it but have talked to people who have and they only say great things about it.

[madisongrrl]

Hey Dar,

I love my carbon seatpost. I don't think I'm in any jeopardy of breaking it either. It is a nice way to lighten up your bike. Think about carbon handle bars also. Try out a suspension seatpost before you buy it. I'm not impressed by them (but maybe the one I tested was not quality). Steel is too heavy for a seatpost and not necessary for WI riding.

15" for your handlebars is insane. You've met me and have seen my build....I'm not a very large person. All my bikes were professionally fitted by a high end bike shop and my mountain handlebars usually run 21-22" (with bar ends). Improper handlebar width can not only cause discomfort, but can cause you to make slight bends or adjustments in your arms and wrists. This will fatigue you quicker. When you buy new handlebars don't let your LBS touch them. Cut them yourself.

[bcipam]

Any thoughts to adding disc brakes to your bike? Especially if you plan on racing. Of course that also means upgrades to disc ready wheels etc. I would just stick with something like Crossland wheels and Avid Mechanicals.

Also I would consider a riser handlebar. Don't know inches - usually they are measured in cm's. Also consider a riser bar.

Tires - for racing - Continental, Panaracer and Kenda make fast, reliable tires. Do some research on their websites.

I just got done added some "bling" to my HT - I upgraded to full XT, added a King Headset plus Hope seat post clamps and skewers, added Crossland wheels (off an old bike) and Avid mechanical disc brakes, a Thompson seat post, a riser handlbar and am good to go. The bike now rides beautifully!

[SadieKate]

Why a riser bar, pam? Can you qualify why you make the recommendation?

I think you have to know the particular bike and how it fits the person to make such a recommendation.

I have plenty of XC bikes where the head tube is so tall that a riser bar would make me sit so bolt upright that climbing becomes impossible, might as well ride a unicycle. And it would take a negative rise stem to get the bar low enough.