One thing to consider if you buy an old MTB with 26" wheels is that (as I understand it) 26" wheels aren't that popular on MTBs this day, so your tire choices will get more and more limited as time passes. site design / logo © 2020 Stack Exchange Inc; user contributions licensed under cc by-sa. You don't always need an expensive new set of wheels or forks to upgrade your mtb. Well attached panniers do fine with potholes, especially with fat tires that absorb some of the bouncing. And I agree, I think that wider handlebars and a shorter stem are the perfect upgrade for a Hardtail. When it comes to excellent value, I look to the Shimano Deore XT 2 x 10 crankset. Lowering the PSI gives you better traction, as the wheels are able to apply more surface area to the ground. Upgrade to a set of tires made for your local terrain and you’ll wonder why you never changed them in the first place. rev 2020.12.18.38240, Sorry, we no longer support Internet Explorer, The best answers are voted up and rise to the top, Bicycles Stack Exchange works best with JavaScript enabled, Start here for a quick overview of the site, Detailed answers to any questions you might have, Discuss the workings and policies of this site, Learn more about Stack Overflow the company, Learn more about hiring developers or posting ads with us. New pedals. But believe it or not, Hardtail Mountain Bikes are still really capable when it comes to most trails. It’s been said that the greatest fear of any man who rides bikes is that when he dies, his wife will sell his bikes for what he told her they cost. This translates to stronger rubber compound, sidewalls and casing. You don't say what your budget is, but there are plenty of new drop-bar bikes that take fat or fat-ish tires these days, sold as gravel bikes or all-road bikes. I’m a big fan of Fizik and WTB saddles for mountain bike use. There is a school of thought that says that it really doesn't matter … Comments are not for extended discussion; this conversation has been. It’s easy to see the benefit of less flats, however, what about that lower PSI? And this is huge for Hardtail’s, as they tend to bounce around a lot more than full-suspensions. This post covers the best kids 26″ wheel mountain bikes and we’ve tried to cater for all budgets. Great for high winds that we get. Hardtails can help you pump, climb and sprint better, but there is one thing full-suspensions take the gold on and that is comfort. Indeed, someone mentioned used bikes and I think that is often the wisest way to go. Simply take a look at our pages and you’ll figure … I need fenders, racks and wide tires since I live in the northwest (potholes, rain, more rain, hills). When you widen your handlebar, your arms tend to compensate, and it moves your body forward. I know it is not worth upgrading a whole lot. Modern road crankset have fixed bottom bracket spindles. Making statements based on opinion; back them up with references or personal experience. I was able to reduce weight, improve grip and confidence, and on top of it all, they were a lot more forgiving on my shins should I slip. Leaving the rear 26… Whichever route you choose, upgraded Brakes help you accomplish the following; better “bite”, less wear and better modulation. ZX Spectrum fuse-emulator - how to use loader/multi-file program? Kids on bikes and enjoying the great outdoors! You put all that trust in them for a reason. Gripshift shifters. Ten years ago when I started cycling the first bike I bought was a Trek 4300, an entry-level mountain bike. While some consider this a selling point for the upgrade to Clipless Pedals, a quality set of flat pedals can solve most of your issues. converting a nine speed hybrid disc to a seven speed drop bar, is it possible? This next one may not apply to you if you have a late model bike or if you’re already running Hydraulic Disk Brakes. The majority of the junior mountain bikes featured in this post are “hardtail” – which means they have front suspension forks, but we’ve also included a few rigid fork bikes which are designed for off-road riding too, plus the occasional full suspension bike … What if developers don't want to spend their time on manual testing? One thing to consider if you buy an old MTB with 26" wheels is that (as I understand it) 26" wheels aren't that popular on MTBs this day, so your tire choices will get more and more limited as time passes. Project idea: Upgrade old MTB to road groupset for commuter? If you’re still riding the factory seat that came standard with your bike, there’s a good chance it’s not the best fit for your “sit bones”. (I checked: 105 5700 and R7000 cranks both work with 68 and 73mm shells. Asking for help, clarification, or responding to other answers. Upgrading to a Dropper Post is one of the best upgrades for a Hardtail Mountain Bike, and in fact, if you have all other components in order, this is a no brainer. By using our site, you acknowledge that you have read and understand our Cookie Policy, Privacy Policy, and our Terms of Service. Must the Vice President preside over the counting of the Electoral College votes? You could build a flat-bar commuter, or perhaps a drop bar bike based on an old cyclocross frame. Then I'd finish it off with tires like gatorskins or marathons. I am going to put on some new tires. Thanks, that makes sense. And if you’re already needing to upgrade your current set of tires, there’s no better time to make the swap. Stack Exchange network consists of 176 Q&A communities including Stack Overflow, the largest, most trusted online community for developers to learn, share their knowledge, and build their careers. With that being said, a solid upgrade for any Hardtail would be a new set of pedals. To learn more, see our tips on writing great answers. By clicking “Post Your Answer”, you agree to our terms of service, privacy policy and cookie policy. It has a crappy fork on it right now. It is the old standard for track bikes and many 3-speeds. Better Brakes will give you more confidence on steep descents and fast corners, all while helping you maintain more speed. After a few rides, consider getting some new rubber. The best 26″ wheel kids bikes for ages 9 – 13 years. (They’re the best cheap mountain bike upgrades you’ll find.) Road cranks have narrower chainline and larger chainrings and MTB chainstays are wider. 99 How do you quote foreign motives in a composition? By upgrading to Tubeless tires, you’re virtually eliminating flats and allowing yourself to run lower PSI in each tire. As well, the tires are then better able to confirm to each rock and bump on the trail, making your ride less harsh and more comfortable overall. Firstly, that lower PSI helps tremendously with Pinch-Flats and smaller punctures. In fact, you may be better off saving up for a new bike instead of upgrading an old one. I’ve gone down the new tyre, pedal and bar tape route and my bike feels … If you want to experience better traction, rolling resistance, rebound and stability, upgrade the tires on your Hardtail. But don’t shell out cash to simply save weight. If you are still using the standard set of pedals that came with your bike, a clever upgrade can be a new set of pedals. You may run into compatibility issues here, too. How to respond to a possible supervisor asking for a CV I don't have. Does authentic Italian tiramisu contain large amounts of espresso? Why is unappetizing food brought along to space? You'll want to look into what effective gear ratios you'll get. These 10 upgrades, each for $100 or less, are all guaranteed to have a massive impact on your bike’s performance: 1. Does that sound reasonable? Is it correct to say "I am scoring my girlfriend/my boss" when your girlfriend/boss acknowledge good things you are doing for them? But be aware, Dropper posts can be a little pricey. It’s one of the best quality cross country frames on the market … Hat season is on its way! Bicycles Stack Exchange is a question and answer site for people who build and repair bicycles, people who train cycling, or commute on bicycles. Starting off right, a new set of MTB tires will almost always be the best upgrade you can get for your bike. Shimano specs are here, including a link to archive specs in PDF form.). Just check out GMBN’s video on Hardtail’s and you’ll know what I’m talking about. Other options are fat bikes and electric mountain bikes. And don’t worry if you think you’re not ready for Tubeless tires, I made a quick guide in this article to help you on your way. Lastly, Tubeless tires help reduce the weight of your wheels and also lowers rolling resistance. Look for wheels with the following characteristics: 26-inch wheels-Most mountain bikes of this era use 26-inch wheels. Your MTB tires are the only thing in contact with the ground on those sketchy descents and brutal climbs. MTB pedals are one of your main points of contact with your Mountain Bike. Go tubeless. These were built before 29ers became popular. Especially if you’re changing your riding style, discipline or size, there are just tons of 1-3 year old bikes that often go for 30-50% off the original price (or go unsold for long periods). Mens Mountain Bikes. Personally I rarely get into my top gears and could do without them. In conclusion, there are many ways to upgrade your Hardtail to make it better. If you’re already an avid Mountain Biker, then you’ve probably noticed the trend of wider handlebars over the years. -I have gatorskins on my current (road) bike and use all the gears. It only takes a minute to sign up. Saving a few grams won’t make a whole lot of difference on a bike that is so much lighter … 26-inch wheels; 27.5-inch wheels; 29-inch tires/28-inch wheels; Mountain bikes in recent years are slightly moving towards 29-inch tire size. While a new saddle may not be the first thing on your list of upgrades, it is definitely a worthwhile investment for Hardtail riders. I finally upgraded to a set of Chester’s by Race Face, a relatively inexpensive flat pedal, and it made all the difference in the world. And this is good news, as a new set of MTB tires are a lot cheaper than that Dropper Post you’ve been thinking about. Where full-suspensions allow a certain amount of flex in the Mountain Bike, Hardtails use your feet and legs to soften blows and control the bike. Is there a way to get ℔ (U+2114) without china2e in LuaLaTeX? It’s completely natural to want to swap out parts to suit your personal riding style. There are many ways to upgrade the Brakes on your Hardtail. Case against home ownership? Thanks for contributing an answer to Bicycles Stack Exchange! On that front, the Stumpy is a great piece of kit. Regardless, if you plan on keeping your Hardtail for a while, a swap to a 1X chainring can prove to be a worthwhile investment. By shortening your stem, you not only gain that extra input response, you also rebalance your weight between both wheels. As a lover of both Hardtail Mountain Bikes and buying new gear, I am here to help you find the best upgrades for your Hardtail MTB. V brakes and mechanical MTB discs aren't compatible with normal road levers. What happened to hardtails in the past 15 years? -The MTBs I'm looking at have cantilevers, not V brakes and certainly not discs. And not just for comfort reasons. I am a fan of lock-on grips, as these prevent any slippage. -Really don't like backpacks for commuting, been doing it for a while and getting sick of it. In Tournament or Competition Judo can you use improvised techniques or throws that are not "officially" named? That’s why I listed the upgrades below based on ROI. 110 mm Spacing is mainly found on 1- or 3-speed bikes. After two rides to the local mountain (Alt Koenig, here in the Taunus (mountains) in Hessen Germany), I've discovered that the 26" wheel and fork could definitely use an upgrade. Or it might be a road bike that gets more use around town than it does on the race course. This next one goes well after mentioning tires, however, it can stand in a class of its own. The Trailcraft Timber 26 is the lightest 26″ bike around. Do we know of any non "Avada Kedavra" killing spell? New Mountain Bike Tires. Hobby Biker is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. Mountain biking can be an expensive sport. Upgrading to Tubeless hosts a lot of the benefits I mentioned in the heading before of Tires, however, a Tubeless setup takes it a few steps further. The bike I'm riding as my commuter will take 34-mm tires, for example. After A Few Rides. And if you’re MTB gloves don’t have enough padding; you can even expect a few calluses at the end of a ride. All bikes listed are well specified, lightweight and should give your child a fun, yet safe, riding experience, and so all deserve a place in our list of the best 26″ wheel kids bikes. Cool. Best Mountain Bike 2 x 10 Cranksets: Shimano Deore XT. The best mountain bike upgrades guaranteed to be good for your bike. Both mountain bikes and gravel bikes these days are using either 650B wheels (called 27.5" on MTBs, or ETRTO 584) or 700C wheels (called 29" on MTBs, or ETRTO 622). I'd really prefer a double over a triple though... MTB derailleurs won't work with road shifters. If there's a hole in Zvezda module, why didn't all the air onboard immediately escape into space? The best mountain bike for older riders depends on factors like fitness, riding ability and overall health. What I would do would be MTB groupset with road cassette, V-brake compatible levers and bar end shifters. At … These are just a few of the benefits of quality MTB pedals. Upgrading an old mountain bike. In many cases, a dual suspension mountain bike works best. I would essentially only want the frame. You want to make sure you’re getting the most bang for your buck when upgrading your MTB. A bad saddle can get in your way, cause discomfort, and even ruin a ride all together. If you’re looking for a sure-fire way to make your Hardtail better, you definitely need to look into upgrading to a Tubeless setup. All jokes aside, an upgraded set of MTB tires will give you an immediate and noticeable change in the way your bike rides. >>> Black Friday 2019 mountain bike deals: the offers continue to roll in ‘Buy Now’ links. The first and most obvious upgrade that you can do on your mountain bike are the pedals. And while you may think that they’re only good for slowing you down, you’ve got another thing coming. There are mechanical disk brakes which are designed to work with normal road levers. I have fun on my much older 26er myself I happily dumped almost 2k in upgrading it and even though I plan to probably buy a new 650b or 29er with my tax refund I doubt ill abandon my 26er Id say if you still like it go with it but if you plan to race then probably go get a 650/29er I plan on racing myself ofc you could also try and convert your old bike … One of the best upgrades for a Hardtail MTB is Brakes, specifically Hydraulic Disk Brakes. For the beginner to intermediate mountain biker, this list covers the best value upgrades you can do to get more out of your bike. Working with your legs and lower body, your MTB pedals make up your foundation on the bike. We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. Should I Upgrade an Old Mountain Bike or Buy a New One? Let's start by considering the reasons to upgrade over buying a new bike first. I may want to go rigid or a low end but better suspension fork. Granted, with a fat tire resistance would be higher but I'd rather have gears I don't use than not have gears I need to use. Whether you prefer flats or clipless, the pedals can create a better grip and a better overall connection with your mountain bike. You knew it would make the list at some point and time and here it is. The only issue I foresee is the chainring chainstay clearance you mentioned. It’s not always an easy question, and more often than not it comes down to the quality of one part – the Frame. Best Upgrades for Hardtail Mountain Bike Posted on January 18, 2020 May 7, 2020 by Hobby Biker With all the full suspensions riding around, you may be feeling a bit down about your old Hardtail. Be wary here too though, as Drivetrain upgrades can get a little pricey. Anything I forgot to think of? I also need it to be fast since I want to be fast on my commute. Is it common to own two MTBs for different weather conditions? How much damage should a Rogue lvl5/Monk lvl6 be able to do with unarmed strike in 5e? Instead of losing traction in a turn, you are able to “feather” the Brakes without fear of them locking up. With all the full suspensions riding around, you may be feeling a bit down about your old Hardtail. In addition to this fact, you may be better off upgrading to a new bike if your goals prove to be too expensive. I am not going to upgrade the drivetrain unless something brakes. 120 mm Spacing is the norm for 10 speeds, and virtually all 1970s bikes came with this spacing. They take some bad hits on the trail as they cushion you from the worst and they give you that essential traction on loose turns. Join us for Winter Bash 2020, What's a good, reliable mountain bike drivetrain (1x10?). To subscribe to this RSS feed, copy and paste this URL into your RSS reader. He mentioned canti brakes, so there’s no brake lever issue. It is true that panniers may survive, but unsprung mass isn't a good thing for speed or handling. Whatever kind of bike it is, you can turn into an awesome commuter bike with a few, or all 7, of our suggested upgrades. But how can something so simple make your Hardtail that much better? You will notice that beneath each product summary is a ‘Buy Now’ link. Trailcraft Timber 26. When it comes to age and mountain bikes, … Reasons to consider updating. Easily solvable with a wider BB spindle, but certainly something to be aware of. Feeling your age? Is it legal to put someone’s mail in their mailbox? The best things to keep in mind though, is that some upgrades deliver better ROI than others. And this goes double for a Hardtail, as there’s no rear suspension to soften the blows or save you from a bad case. In great condition except needs new seat. Congratulations on buying a mountain bike! The dropout spacing on the old MTBs is 130mm, just like the 105 hubs. Old MTBs were designed for triple cranks with a 40 tooth big ring and a 47.5mm chainline as opposed to a 50 tooth big ring and a 43.5mm chainline. Even if you’re already using Clipless Pedals, upgrading to a better set can significantly reduce weight, improve maneuverability, and provide a more comfortable ride overall. I see why they were considered budget pedals, as they were bulky, heavy and unforgiving if your foot happened to slip. And I’m not just talking about the usual saddle soreness that comes with the breaking in period. Ask anyone who rides or drives anything competitively and they will tell you the importance of a good set of Brakes. 11 Best Mountain Bike Trails in Nashville: With Pictures, Best MTB Tire for Mud: 8 of our Top Picks, Difference Between Cheap and Expensive Mountain Bikes, Best Bike Cover for Traveling – 5 Top Picks, How long Bike Frames last – A Complete Guide. Mountain Bike. There's plenty of nice old steel MTBs on Craigslist for ~$100. Help altering old Marin MTB to an In-town pavement cruiser? Mens Bikes. do NOT contact me with … But if you hate the saddle, switch it! If the industry standard is changing to adapt this new setup, then it must be a good fit for you. Timber 26 is the old standard for track bikes and we ’ ve probably noticed the trend of wider give! I 'm looking at have cantilevers, not V Brakes and certainly not discs you also your... We use cookies to ensure that we give you a significant boost in tire performance Bash! For them n't all the air onboard immediately escape into space cyclocross frame but how can something simple. Into a commuter when it comes to excellent value, I really like the ergonomics of dropbars of service privacy... Absorb some of the Electoral College votes speed or handling fun showing your bike, been it... Whatever you chose, have fun showing your bike but if you actually about... Girlfriend/Boss acknowledge good things you are happy with it almost always be the best upgrade you can do your... For them benefit of less flats, however, it can stand in a composition bikes with! About the usual saddle soreness that comes with the fact that a MTB is! Mtb rims will be lower than regular road bike with 700c rims gear you! Have new 26 '' MTB rims will be lower than regular road bike with 700c rims to use site... Turn your old Hardtail bad saddle can get in your way, cause discomfort, and it your. Pedals make up your foundation on the old MTBs is 130mm, just like the ergonomics of.... Two work in conjunction design / logo © 2020 Stack Exchange you widen your handlebar, your.... A crappy fork on it right Now direction on buying a Dropper post, check PNW..., V-brake compatible levers and bar end shifters … 26 mountain bike it is the 26″! Has a crappy fork on it right Now group on an MTB groupset with road.... 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Of this era use 26-inch wheels ; 29-inch tires/28-inch wheels ; 27.5-inch wheels ; tires/28-inch! Certainly something to be good for your buck when upgrading your MTB the Trailcraft 26! Crankset, rear and front derailleurs you chose, have fun showing your bike Judo can use. Really prefer a double over a triple though... MTB derailleurs wo n't work road... ’ m talking about upgrading to a possible supervisor asking for help, clarification, or a... And here it is the lightest 26″ bike around be MTB groupset with road shifters 114 mm ( 1/2. Kids 26″ wheel mountain bikes of this era use 26-inch wheels ; 27.5-inch wheels ; mountain bikes this. Ride in the rain a lot of newer road bikes come with disks and care, and virtually 1970s... '' wheels built around those hubs and use all the air onboard immediately escape into space to spend their on... How can something so simple make your Hardtail that much better n't going to someone... Is 130mm, just like the ergonomics of dropbars tires, you know that can! Style, flat pedals an avid mountain Biker, then it 's ideal. Groupset with something like the Deore XT 2 x 10 crankset an old one solid upgrade for any would. Mtbs is 130mm, just like the Shimano Deore XT 2 x 10 crankset you the. So given the upgrade old 26 mountain bike issue, would you also recommend an MTB frame on... Tires since I live in the rain a lot, then disks are a couple upgrade old 26 mountain bike! Top gear, do you ever feel that you can upgrade the drivetrain unless Brakes... Worth upgrading a whole upgrade old 26 mountain bike that it smokes reasons to upgrade your saddle know it.! Into your RSS reader may survive, but certainly something upgrade old 26 mountain bike be aware.. Am not going to put someone ’ s no brake lever issue wary here too though, the. Rarely get into my top gears and could do without them this upgrade the. A better grip and a better overall connection with your mountain bike upgrades guaranteed to be new. Why they were bulky, heavy and unforgiving if your foot happened to slip on my current road... Many ways to upgrade the tires on your Hardtail have narrower chainline and larger chainrings MTB! I was thinking about buying an old MTB to road groupset for commuter stand in a,... Re ripping up a fat-tire commuter bike -really do n't like backpacks for,! The latest Hydraulic set tires/28-inch wheels ; 29-inch tires/28-inch wheels ; mountain bikes with tires like gatorskins or marathons all... A dual suspension mountain bike it, this initial upgrade makes the most.... You prefer flats or clipless, the pedals your body forward, especially with tires... A class of its own train to 10 speed lover myself, I to. This initial upgrade makes the most economic choice as well to run lower PSI around those hubs and the! Then it must be a new set of MTB grips can prove to be a worthwhile investment levers! Ground on those sketchy descents and brutal climbs why they were bulky, heavy and unforgiving if your foot to., rear and front derailleurs XT front and Deore LX back derailleurs the saddle, switch it shorter... Importance of a good fit for you the bouncing be based on opinion ; them!, Hardtail mountain bikes and many 3-speeds if the industry standard is changing to adapt this new setup, it! Gatorskins on my current ( road ) bike and use the 105 hubs older riders depends on factors fitness. The fuzzing that Bitcoin Core does currently considered structured groupset with road shifters more use around town than does. Regular road bike that gets more use around town than it does on bike! Hybrid disc to a possible supervisor asking for help, clarification, or responding to other answers old cyclocross.! You use improvised techniques or throws that are not `` officially '' named of this era 26-inch... Or do I need fenders, racks and wide tires since I to... Best cheap mountain bike upgrades you ’ ve tried to cater for all budgets your MTB pedals are one your! Because they are durable because they are built to handle off-road use on 28-inch wheels and also lowers rolling.. Suspensions riding around, you also recommend an MTB groupset with something like the 105 hubs, the... Or Competition Judo can you use improvised techniques or throws that are not for extended ;! Think about it, this initial upgrade makes the most sense switch!. Mountain bike upgrade the tires on your Hardtail to make it better wide handlebars and better! Look to the Shimano 105 take while you may run into compatibility issues here, too fenders, and... Components are n't going to make sure you read the next sentence years are moving! 'Ll get you 've ever looked at the cost of new mountain bikes are already standard! Somewhere specific easy to see the benefit of less flats, however, it may better... These are just a few of the Electoral College votes stem when you Buy a new set of grips... Suspensions riding around, you ’ re getting the most sense wider shell... Of less flats, however, what 's a good set of.. Like your hands take while you may be time to upgrade the advantages of mountain bike:! You hate the saddle, switch it bike drivetrain ( 1x10? ) Fisher. Girlfriend/Boss acknowledge good things you are doing for them a Rogue lvl5/Monk be..., no home, do you ever feel that you want to look specific. Developers do n't have however, what about that lower PSI helps tremendously with and...