|
|
Thread Tools | Display Modes |
#1
|
|||
|
|||
Bike Building advice needed...
Hi - new to the forum. Hoping to learn as I go.
First off, before Xmas, I privately bought a Mountain Cycle MOHO STX (hardtail) frame (in nice condition) at what I felt was a great price for a second hand frame of this type and, looking around, it certainly seems to have a good reputation. Secondly, since I was in a stupid rush to get going, I let the same person sell me a pair of slightly used Kona Project 2 forks (the triple butted jump type) - only trouble was, because I'm a rather trusting soul and something of a novice to the MTB scene, he managed to sell them to me for £60. A rash move, I know. Now, I think I've since seen the same thing for £60 and less not only on the net, but also in the bike shop where my seller works during the day. Not so pleased about this, since I was told they were worth £85 new. I am wondering now though... am I making some mistake here? Is it possible I'm seeing a lesser product for £60? Could these forks I have be worth more than £60 new? Okay, well, moving on and making the best of it, if the worst is the case, I'm thinking of just selling the Konas at a loss and just forget all about them (or maybe keep them as spares). I think I'll probably lose here and I'll just have to be more careful in future. I now want to buy some suspension type forks, which I think would compliment the MOHO frame a little better than the rigid types. I already own a Univega MTB which is a nice bike with a cromoly frame. I like the components and think, combined with the MOHO frame, will work well. My aim is to upgrade slowly, but the initial transfer of parts will get this bike going in the short term. I'm just eager to ride the frame, you see. My question really is what should I be looking for in second hand forks - or is it perhaps a bad idea - do you think I should save up and buy new in this critical area, no matter what? If used is okay - what should I be aware of technically? I don't have a great deal to spend and I'm finding my net searches leading me through a confusing jungle of forks. I don't really know what I'm looking at here - one set looks so much like another. Again - what should I be looking for in terms of quality... Brands? Models? Please? The same I'm finding with headsets too. My riding conditions will mainly be on-road, but instead of building a commuter, I decided to go for an MTB for the reason I already own a Marin hybrid. I'm hoping to do some off roading, but it'll be more tracks and toepaths, forest tracks etc, rather than the more extreme stuff. I'm not into racing, downhill or jumping. One more thing... does anyone think it'll work acceptably with the Kona 2s? They just seem awfully heavy, when the rest of the bike is actually going to be quite light.... or won't this really matter? Were they such a bad choice after all...? Any suggestions will be helpful... just please don't slate me for my first mistake (if I've got all that right about the prices?) I've really suffered enough over this one and want to enjoy this new bike without the bad feelings. Cheers, Varn |
Ads |
#2
|
|||
|
|||
Bike Building advice needed...
On 29 Dec 2005 20:34:03 -0800, "Varney_The_Vampire_Biker"
wrote: I already own a Univega MTB which is a nice bike with a cromoly frame. I like the components and think, combined with the MOHO frame, will work well. My aim is to upgrade slowly, but the initial transfer of parts will get this bike going in the short term. I'm just eager to ride the frame, you see. Before you loosen any screws, get a pair of calipers (or tubing diameter measuring implement of your choice) and check the OD of the seat tube where the front derailleur mounts on each frame, and the cable routing for the front derailleur. If it's not the same on both frames, you'll need to do something about that issue. Chances are good that the rest of the major components may be transferable as long as both frames have the same type of brake mounting provisions. If the Univega's existing front brakes are old-style cantis, it may be a challenge to find a suspension fork that will work with them; you might end up having to buy a V-brake setup and lever for the front. My question really is what should I be looking for in second hand forks - or is it perhaps a bad idea - do you think I should save up and buy new in this critical area, no matter what? If used is okay - what should I be aware of technically? In a non-suspension fork, the main thing to look for any obvious sign of damage or overstress. If it's straight and not cracked, it's probably OK. If you're looking for a suspension fork, there are so many models, with so many ways of getting worn in places you won't detect by inspection, that I'd really advise going with a new fork. Shop around. Unless you're planning to do heavy jumping or downhill, the simple ones are generally adequate...but the cheaper they are, the crummier they get, in general. I don't have a great deal to spend and I'm finding my net searches leading me through a confusing jungle of forks. I don't really know what I'm looking at here - one set looks so much like another. Again - what should I be looking for in terms of quality... Brands? Models? Please? The same I'm finding with headsets too. Headsets are far less critical in my estimation; I've had good results with ones all the way down into the basement of the league. My riding conditions will mainly be on-road, but instead of building a commuter, I decided to go for an MTB for the reason I already own a Marin hybrid. I'm hoping to do some off roading, but it'll be more tracks and toepaths, forest tracks etc, rather than the more extreme stuff. I'm not into racing, downhill or jumping. Okay, then a non-suspension fork or a basic adjustable-preload suspension fork is probably adequate; many of these show up on eBay, and a good portion of the suspension types have reviews at mtbr.com for reference. Bear in mind that those reviews are from essentially undocumented sources; it's possible for them to be entirely wrong, but when you see multiple reports of trouble of a specific nature for a given fork, I'd take that as a warning sign. One more thing... does anyone think it'll work acceptably with the Kona 2s? They just seem awfully heavy, when the rest of the bike is actually going to be quite light.... or won't this really matter? Were they such a bad choice after all...? The Kona fork would, in my estimation, be a perfectly good choice. It may be just a bit of the beefy side, but just about any suspension fork would weight considerably more and likely wouldn't be as strong. If you want a lighter fork, though, I would consider the fact that you probably won't reduce the weight by more than a half kilo, if that. Any suggestions will be helpful... just please don't slate me for my first mistake (if I've got all that right about the prices?) I've really suffered enough over this one and want to enjoy this new bike without the bad feelings. Well, you probably paid effectively close to full price for the Kona fork, but you might have done that had you shopped around without asking first, so there's no worry on that account. Otherwise, the main thing to remember is that you should check that everything will fit before you start to transfer any bits. Make no assumptions; compare the mounting points and cable routings point for point, and plan on replacing the brake and shifter cables anyway. Save the old cables with the old frame in case you decide to use it to build up a beater or a second bike later on. -- Typoes are a feature, not a bug. Some gardening required to reply via email. Words processed in a facility that contains nuts. |
#3
|
|||
|
|||
Bike Building advice needed...
Werehatrack:
Thankyou very much for taking the trouble to reply in such detail. Especially the weight issue on the forks and minimums for headsets. I'm getting to thinking that I'll maybe use the Konas for a while and think about suspension types when I've saved up more money. I think it's maybe an opportunity to give myself thinking and research time on getting good quality, while being able to get riding in the meantime. Oh, I did actually buy a front mech, which was attached to the MOHO frame already. The seller told me I'd need the wider diameter fixing - but yes; I'll make sure I check the sizes on other components when I come to do the transfer. The brakes I'm moving over are the V types and the peg fixings are right for them both on the Kona's and at the back. I want to fit discs in future, and the Konas have an alternative fixing for these, too. I'm told the Moho can be fitted with an adapter for the rear disc mount. Anyway - thanks again. I was on another forum before Xmas and some of the replies I got were rather cruel and unhelpful. I feel a bit better towards the Konas now - especially having looked at some of the suspension prices! Cheers, Varn |
Thread Tools | |
Display Modes | |
|
|
Similar Threads | ||||
Thread | Thread Starter | Forum | Replies | Last Post |
Evaulating a bike | Paul Cassel | Techniques | 96 | August 22nd 05 11:45 PM |
First road bike - advice needed | Greg | Australia | 3 | August 12th 04 08:07 AM |
How old were you when you got your first really nice bike? | Brink | General | 43 | November 13th 03 10:49 AM |
my new bike | Marian Rosenberg | General | 5 | October 19th 03 03:00 PM |
New Road bike advice needed.... | Rob Woozle | Australia | 14 | August 12th 03 01:53 AM |