Newby

[Swash]

Hi I'm new here, and to biking. Wanting to get in to it for leisure and fitness really.
I've just acquired a Marin Bear Valley, with some mods I think.
Manitou comp six front fork
Ovation hubs
Sun race juju cassette
Truvativ fiveD crank
Mavic x139 wheels
Wtb speed v saddle
Are all names etc I can see
Would any one care to look and see what I have and where I could improve/lose weight.

Thanks

 

[TonyMerryfield]

Hi and welcome!

What sort of riding do you think you'll be doing? Hills, mud, paved paths? Makes a big difference as to what you change.

If you're mainly going to be riding paths and a little casual offroad I'd ditch those heavy looking forks for a pair of rigid jobs and maybe lighter slicker tyres. But like I say, depends what you'll be riding

 

[Swash]

Re:

Thanks for the reply. Yes as you say for now roads/paths cycle trail etc.
can you recommend a front fork I could go to?

 

[TonyMerryfield]

I like Project 2 forks, made by Kona. You'd need to make sure you get the right size though.

It might be worth talking to your local bike shop - ask them to tell you what width the steerer is, then maybe ask on here if anyone has a fork for sale before looking anywhere else.

For example, if you have 1.1/8" inch steerer then something like this would do:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Unofix-Polo-2 ... 51d37f0122

That one is a bit dear but I'm sure if you hunt around you could find similar (post it up here if you aren't sure about whether it will fit or if it is good value).

As a quick change you can change your tyres for something like:
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/schw ... -prod36216
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/schw ... -prod69137

Not sure of your budget so started at the bottom - most importantly I'd choose something with less weight, makes a big difference when accelerating and cruising.

Hope that helps, but just bear in mind that it all comes down to personal preferences!

 

[Swash]

Re:

Wow! Thanks so much for that
According to bikepedia its a Headset 1 1/8" threadless WTB Comp ST
So I'll keep a look out. Budget not massive at the moment until I see how it goes

 

[TonyMerryfield]

1.1/8" inch is good, much more choice and as a result better prices. Only other thing to watch out for then is the steerer length - it needs to be long enough to pass through the headtube and the stem.

It might be worth posting something in the wanted section here, just explain you're looking for something cheap and cheerful - alot of people here will have upgraded, gone sideways due to personal preference or just have spares sitting around.

Or just keep an eye on eBay and the for sale section, sometimes perfectly workable but unloved kit gets 'karma-ed' off for the cost of postage

 

[Swash]

Re:

Hi so to find the correct length I would measure the tube and the stem?
Thanks

 

[TonyMerryfield]

Re:

Plus whatever your headset is - then maybe add a couple of cm - better to have to cut down than not have enough to begin with!

 

[TonyMerryfield]

Re:

Do you know know what year your bike is?

 

[Swash]

Re:

Yes it's a 2005/2006