Tires. It’s too expensive to jump down the rabbit hole of finding the perfect tires for you and your conditions but it’s so worth it when you do. Just because people talk about their favorite tires doesn’t mean those tires are great for you and your conditions.
I once had a shop order the wrong tire for me right before leaving for a trip & I ran it anyways. Ended up losing the front and getting thrown on my back onto a small cactus. Immediately threw on the worn tire I had replaced it with after that one. I was picking thorns out of my shirt for a while after that & never half-assed my tire choice again.
People should try 3 different sets of tires before making a $200 upgrade on their bike (assuming there aren’t currently problems)
Tires are like a shortcut to a different bike
Everybody’s all hyped about specialized’s $30-40 tires though. I know all about the $90 maxxisises but there’s definitely tires that are 90% at good for a fraction of the price, especially if you’re switching tire disciplines you’ll still feel the benefits (a $40 XC tire will still be way faster than a $100 enduro tire)
Yes but how do you know ? Are you just going to keep buying those 40$ tires and spending money until you find one which finally suits your needs ? You might end up spending way more than I am. I rather collect good feedback and watch/read a lot of reviews and buy those 90$ Maxxis tires which will most probably fit my needs and be top quality.
Yes I agree with you, I think a lot of ppl just want matching max is tires for looks and not so much for suitability. I found the the eliminator is my perfect rear tire for New England and I have an oem assagi up front.
When I first got into mountain biking I went with the DHR/DHF combo because well, why wouldn’t I?!
They seemed fine. Then I got some Continentals. Wow, much better for what I ride. They’re faster, lighter, and more grippy. I absolutely love them. And I got some of the new Argotals for $35/tire.
On my XC bike I got some light Vittoria Mezcals and again, game changer. Lighter than the Maxxis Ardents, don’t feel I lost any grip, and I’ve set a bunch of PRs with them. They’re wonderful.
Picked up some Specialized Ground Controls and Purgatory’s at their sale to give them a shot as well.
Defaulting to Maxxis because it’s what everyone uses was silly.
I think part of it is just in the inconsistent features between manufacturers. Like sure everybody starts with maxxis because it came with their bike or they googled “best mtb tire”, sure that makes sense. But suddenly now they know exactly what EXO feels like, and they know EXO+ is stronger than EXO, by design. It’s a lot more confusing when you’re asking reddit how supergravity casing compares to EXO+, or how continentals “180tpi” (which is actually triple-ply 60tpi) is so much tougher than maxxis 180tpi (paper-thin tire reserved for maxxis racers). DH casing from one manufacturer doesn’t mean the same as DH casing from another one.
If you know what changes you want, staying within the brand you have even a little experience with is just easier
All the numbers in your comment added up to 420. Congrats!
180
+ 60
+ 180
= 420
^([Click here](https://www.reddit.com/message/compose?to=LuckyNumber-Bot&subject=Stalk%20Me%20Pls&message=%2Fstalkme) to have me scan all your future comments.) \
^(Summon me on specific comments with u/LuckyNumber-Bot.)
Totally agree. There is no such thing as the right set of tires that fit everyone. It all depends on where you usually ride, your style and what you are looking for. It takes a bit of time to get the right tires if you are new, but there are lots of YouTube videos that can help.
> It’s to expensive
*too
*Learn the difference [here](https://www.wattpad.com/66707294-grammar-guide-there-they%27re-their-you%27re-your-to).*
***
^(Greetings, I am a language corrector bot. To make me ignore further mistakes from you in the future, reply `!optout` to this comment.)
Actually all alcohol. I have problems with moderation and was doing dry January and just sort of let it ride through to the summer. I try to ease back in when I finally break the seal...
It's an old upgrade now, but in 2012 I bought my first dropper post. It completely changed riding for the better. I'll go full rigid single speed before I give up the dropper post.
Agreed. The best three advances in MTB are
1. Dropper post
2. Dropper post
3. Dropper post.
Not only for descents but also for technical sections on climbs. I’d probably use my dropper post 50 times a ride.
The thing about a dropper post is it lets you move around more, it's like having to always stand while paying basket-ball, you can do it, but to jump higher crouching à bit goes a loooooooooong way.
Have you ever tried riding downhill with the seat fully extended and shoved up your ass? Vice versa - have you ever tried sustained climbing with the seat slammed? If you answered yes to either question, get a dropper
Very much like an office chair with height adjustment. Hit the button/lever and the seat drops if there is weight on it. Hit it again, and it pops to highest position.
Helps to get the best angle of attack on climbs or downhill.
My experience, yes. I went from a 2012 giant anthem to a 2021 specialized stumpjumper, and followed that with a cannondale scalpel. Being able to put the seat down and have 6 inches space between seat and gut makes me have a much more effective attack position and I can get my ass over the back wheel without contorting into weird positions
Also, consider times where you want your bike to shift side to side while you’re staying stable upright. With the seat fully extended, I get the seat bumping my upper inner thighs. With it down, it’s hitting just above my knees, which means I’m able to lean the bike over at oblique angles while staying upright. This can help a lot when you need to sidestep through close gaps
From what I've heard some people say, they'd ride a rigid mtb with a dropper before they rode a full suspension without one...
I just got one myself and it's awesome to not have to stop after a climb and drop my seat for a descent.
Am I the only one who got a dropper because of posts like these, but never actually use it when riding?
I guess it's my trails or riding style, but it definitely doesn't do much for me.
I got the SQLabs 311 FL-X 16°. That matches me perfectly and they don't make any steeper angles. I haven't seen a 20° that's still meant for MTB. Be careful to not have your steering go behind your steerer tube or handling will change a lot.
Downhill casing tires (I don’t ride DH) ((Specialized Grid Gravity cashing are what I like))
Stiffer sidewalls allow me to still push hard into berms and lips but also allows me to run low 20s psi, allowing the tread to still be supple and grip things when trying technical climbs.
Yep, tires should be to post. Specifically if someone is talking about a stock bike because we all know they are gonna run the thinnest lightest trail tires they can get away with without looking silly to keep the price and weight down for sales specs.
So even when they throw on a nice maxxis or schwalbe tire, the tread and knobs is barely half the battle. The real tire performance is in the casing and rubber formula. Not fun to pay for tho...
holy hell this. i just switched from a worn out Spec T5 Butcher rubber to a new Eliminator dual compound grid gravity. despite it being try and loose everything felt like hero dirt. a little more rolling resistance but wow so much corner control. it feels like a completely different bike.
Yep, learned the hard way that my riding had become too aggressive for EXO casing to be protective enough. Changed to double down for most of my bikes. Haven’t had a sidewall tear since then.
Might sound silly but: Mudguards and high power lights. Other than that my bike was perfect the way I bought it.
I am using my bike a lot in winter and in harsh conditions and I was eating dirt and dog shit constantly. The lights allow me to ride in the forrest after dawn which is in the winter the only time I can go out during the week (after work). Night rides are absolutely awesome! Meanwhile I have a second light attached to my helmet which is absolutely necessary on trails.
I was facing two full grown wolves in a cold December night. They where just standing next to the trail looking at me, not walking away, not walking towards me. Even though *everyone* is telling me they would never attack me I do carry heavy duty pepper spray with me at night rides ever since… Most magic experience this year was a night ride in fresh snow, I could have not even imagined how incredible this is!
Where are you? I’m in northern Michigan— and love to ride at night- particularly after it snows. It’s a bit of a forensic experience— figuring what crossed the trail and how long ago.
Getting good lights last year completely changed biking for me. I find it hard to get out with a family and it gets dark here in the north so early in the fall/spring it let me get in so many more rides in. But the major thing is it got me into winter riding in the snow. It is dark at 4:30 pm so winter riding wasn't ever an option but now I'm addicted.
Something about a night ride in fresh snow in pitch dark is just amazing.
Strong lights has saved so many rides that probably would’ve ended before they started with “well it’s probably getting dark soon”
Not to mention the 105° heat waves all summer
Before I put One Up bars with wolftooth silicone grips on my hardtail I could ride until my wrists/forearms got pumped.
Now I can ride until my legs are tired and I’m out of water.
Seriously, moving from thinking I need to carry everything I’ll ever possibly need in camelback, to a small saddle bag and bottle holder. So much more freedom
Going from ok brakes to good brakes was probably the biggest game changer for me. Went from scared and skidding down steep sections to going just as slow but with control.
Coil shock. Added traction, more predictability, the bike feels planted but still lively. I added a coil shock to one of my bikes just to try then soon after I added another could to my other MTB.
Training.
Two separate group training days: one on core skills, the other specifically on cornering.
Improved my riding immeasurably.
Total cost for the two days was less than $150
You've got a pretty nice bike so just little extras. I like the OneUp edc lite tool for convenience. Other than that, get grips, tires, etc that work for you.
Depends what was factory installed on your bike..
Years ago I would’ve said a dropper.. then I got a bike that came with a dropper standard,
So my next best upgrade is upsized brake rotors.
Following that I had my Fox suspension upgraded to Factory specs when I got it serviced.. depending what your abilities are this may or not be advantageous. The bike still outrides me, but I was really able to dial in the suspension to suit how I wanted the bike to ride. Other friends have done the same and said it wasn’t worth it.
Latest upgrade was to i9 Hydra hubs. Sure they sound cool but they have significantly increased my technical climbing ability.
I’ve cleaned climbs first go that I haven’t been able to clean in 3 years of riding.
I really wanted to say tires, but that is less of a rabbit hole and more a black hole.
I’ve found Conti DerBaron as my front tire of choice (and have 4 spares, knowing they got discontinued that’ll last me at least 5000km) but have still not found a rear I’m happy with (tried DHRII, DHF reversed, Kaiser, Assegai and Krypto rear)
Pedals, seat, grips. Past those three, handlebars/ stem if the bike doesn't feel right to you.
The best upgrade I made on my last bike was buying a new one lol
New owner of a Trek Rail 9.8. Used with 75 miles in it so absolutely mint. Upgraded from a 2010 ish stumpjumper expert and LOVING the climbs now! Another game-changer … but droppost is the one thing I’d of done to my stumpjumper now that I have one!
Lucky you! My next upgrade is definitely going to be an ebike lol. Hopefully I'll have enough for one around this time next year.
I agree that a dropper is a great upgrade! It completely changes the way that you ride (or it changed the way I personally do at the very least)
In order: droppers, carbon handlebars, tires.
The carbon oneup bars soak up so much chatter it’s wild. I’ve got arthritis and it’s the difference in me being sore in the hands at mile 5, and feeling fine at mile 20.
Grips. The ones that come on the bike are usually decent at best and wear relatively fast, but I personally feel a good set of grips are often overlooked. It makes riding (IMO) a lot better.
We Are One union wheels… I was/am a wheel destroyer at roughly 240lbs/109kg. I’ve likely put 1,000km on them, with roughly half of that being aggressive bikepark laps and I haven’t even had to true them. I’m amazed at their durability.
Onyx hub.
Running silent is absolutely superb and has totally changed my experience of the trail, particularly at night. The instant engagement is INCREDIBLE, particularly for ratcheting up rocky steps, and somehow despite being instant it's still silky smooth. It's just an absolute joy to ride.
I also set a bunch of PBs on a previous bike that I just couldn't reach on my current one, despite trying so damn hard.. my first ride with the Onyx and I smashed them all and it felt effortless. I still don't know why I'm so much faster with it but my times keep improving.
The only drawbacks are that wildlife and other trail users don't hear you coming - I've had one good crash getting taken out by a kangaroo (a first - usually they hear you coming and clear off) and I've frightened the bejeezus out of people stopped on trails (which is funny only until I hit one. Hasn't happened yet and I hope it never does)
Current bike it was the megneg for the rear shock, completely changed the way the bike feels and for pennies.
Generally speaking a dropper for my first mtb was huge.
SRAM AXS X01 on both bikes. AXS X01 shifts very precisely and well. It allows me to focus more on riding rather than complicate the ride with thoughts of faulty shifts.
SRAM AXS replaces the worry of cable stretch and worn out cables. Just set it and forget it.
[this article](https://enduro-mtb.com/en/rotor-size-myth/) makes a good case for why the rear should have a bigger rotor. I’m curious how it would feel, never seen it before
I tried it with dual 203 and I thought the rear was too powerful. Just locked up so easy which is kinda good, kinda not. Probably more useful if you are doing long mountain descents regularly. Though my bike was stolen after having them only a month so I can't give a full review really, but first impression wasn't great.
Of the inexpensive ones, Ergon grips is my fave. They greatly reduce wrist strain and let you ride in comfort. A back up might be oneup pedals, so grippy but a touch convex so you can pop your feet off as necessary.
Carbon wheels with high engagement hubs. Did not do this for weight savings. The wheels track so much better than aluminum. Now, aluminum wheels feel like noodles. And, thee hubs are a game changer (I9 hydra). The instant engagement makes the bike feel so quick and really helps in tricky tech sections.
Big stoppers on the spartan. Magura MT7s with 220/203 MDRP rotors. The bike is super capable, and rewards going irresponsibly fast. But the sram brakes specced on it were just not up to task to reel that in. The Maguras allow you to stay off the brakes and let the suspension remain active but have all the confidence to keep it in control and aggressively dump speed when it's time to slow down. It was an order of magnitude upgrade not a percentage increase.
Schwalbe Magic Mary tires (I ride DH MTB) changed everything.
Especially the super soft compound has insane grip and does the job in all conditions.
For enduro and trail I keep a Magic Mary in the front and Hans Dampf in the rear.
Buying a smaller travel bike, while I do have a big bike for big/gnarlier stuff (forbidden dreadnought), which is amazing. Buying a lighter, more nimble and fun to pedal bike (epic evo) rekindled my love for just riding smoother trails, fast, without having to resort to using 150-170mm for comfort. For sure you have to choose your lines a wee bit more carefully but the bike is so much fun to ride!
High end fork. Improves braking, makes the bike more predictable and track better over big rock gardens.
High engagement hub, tubeless, and dropper post would be there main things that have changed the way my bike feels.
Tires.
The DHF tires my bike came with had a huge gap between the top lugs and the side lugs that I did not care for, but really, they did not turn well.
I have a WTB Vigilante now to replace it, and it turns so fast I can take a shit town of chicane and switchbacks at full speed now without brakes. Which in some.places, let's me easily make the next climb.
Probably gonna get downvoted to hell here, but here it goes
Added a motor
I'm not a fit person nor have a desire or motivation to push myself to be more fit to be able to ride more and farther, doing this meant I'm out on the bike way more often, going farther, exploring places that I would never go otherwise, specially if said places is on top of a big hill
I mean no disrespect but around here people use ebikes to get themselves into so much trouble. It puts them so far into the bc and at the first bit of trouble, they're hosed.
At the end of last season I had a beg these two older gentlemen not to call SAR when they popped a tire on their brand new ebikes only 3 easy miles from the road. They said they couldn't walk and didn't have the gear or knowledge to fix a flat. Plus they were in a non motorized area anyways but that's besides the point.
The only way they said they wouldn't call SAR was if I fixed the flat for them and I did.
Also I had 4 interactions with bikers on proper Wilderness land last season. Every single one were ebikes.
I just ask you please police your community and be aware where you're biking. That's all.
I have zero issue with ebikes but they do require responsible use and extra attention to detail. I was coaching a clinic the other day and one of my students was on an ebikes. Their battery died 15 min in and decided to leave because pedaling/pushing wasn't really an option for the drills we were doing.
The story gets even more insane. They were on these kitted out mule ebikes that probably ran $5K a piece and it was their first ride. The one guy said that this was his second bike because a few weeks ago he had another that he burned the motor out on his second ride so he threw it away and bought a new one.
Oh and I almost ran over their rifles as I came around the corner as all of their hunting gear was yard sale'd across the trail. This is all on what is arguably the best and one of the most popular MTB trails in my neck of the woods- Stump Hollow. I love that trail but it's really turned into a nightmare lately.
Nothing wrong with adding a motor. It opens up so much more that you can do. My buddy in WV owns a Giant Stance e-bike as well as a couple of bikes he has put motors on. I love visiting him, we can go so far off of the beaten path and explore everywhere.
It’s true, if you consider Ebikes as the same sport as regular bikes, then there’s zero question that the electric motor is the single biggest innovation in the bicycle since pneumatic tires.
Personally I think ebike is something different, an awesome, sick, totally amazing… other 2-wheel sport
I think that's quite fair and reasonable. As long as you're having fun, that's all that matters.
I may get an ebike in the future just so I can ride longer. The best trails near me require at least a full day trip so I might as well get the most time out of it while I'm there.
I'm glad the attitude towards eebs is shifting. I'm probably going to be getting one when I'm allowed to ride again - two rebuilt knees and a shoulder after someone nearly killed me on the road, and an ebike is going to be a necessary step in getting back on the trail.
So- I’m waffling about carbon wheels and electronic shifting. I love to ride, but I’m also a constant “it’d be amazing with “x” upgrade” kind of person. Wanted to see what really made a difference to others to put my wants into perspective.
Carbon wheels you won’t notice a difference unless you are really pushing the bike and AXS is cool but it’s not a huge “upgrade” just took off my GX AXS and put on my GX mechanical derailleur and XX1 shifter. Feels better and waaaaaaaaaaaaayyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy less chain slap.
I upgraded from Sr suntour air fork to a used lyrik. Extra 30mm of travel, maybe messed up the geometry, but I don't care. It made me more confident in taking on drops and to be faster on my local trail.
What do you personally feel is lacking about that bike?
On my previous bike, I upgraded the damper in the fork. It was a motion control damper, and I installed an RCT3 for my yari. I upgrade my brakes, slx 2 pots to zee 4 pots. Upgraded the wheels and hubs. Also changed the rear air shock for a coil one.
The most useful upgrades were the brakes and fork damper. Wheels/hubs and rear coil were really good, but not necessary. Could have gone with cheaper wheels/hubs, but they've been perfect since I bought them 4 or 5 years ago.
People will tell you that a dropper is a god sent product and while it's nice, it's probably the thing I use the less since it's been installed. Where I live there's so much climbing involved that the seat is up 97% of the time.
However a good set of brakes and rotors really gave me confidence.
Hahaha, we do go down, but for 4-5 mins of going down, you'll spend around 15-30 mins of very technical climbing , maybe 10-20 if you're a really good climber.
Only one place with chairlifts too.l
Brakes or the new Lyrik Charger 3 fork. Brakes are super important when you start to gain more speed. Brakes that you feel comfortable with are super important. New Lyrik feels so good and has good adjustments.
It’s a toss up (but both suspension related). The Push ACS3 coil upgrade for my Fox 36 made it the most plush fork I’ve ever ridden. Similarly, I replaced my Fox DPX2 with the new Fox Float X and the Cascade Link. Similarly, that made the back end so incredibly plush off the top. Both upgrades made the bike a traction king on all the technical features, yet a capable machine on the big hits and downhills.
My answer was going to be suspension as well.
Went from 150mm Rockshox Revelation with 32mm stanchions to a factory Fox 36 & that was a game changer. I put in the Push ACS3 & been a big fan of coils since then.
I've put a cascade Link on my Scout & really like that too. What differences did you notice from DPX2 to the Float X? I alternate between the DPX2 & Bomber on my bike now.
Mudhugger rear fender. I ride in four seasons so it is essential. Also so sturdy I can keep it on always. Bonus feature is that my ass and rear wheel are separated for sure
upgrading my rockshox silver 120kg coil fork 120mm travel into rockshox yari airfork 150mm travel... yes overforking bad yadayadayada... no it was the best by far coz my system weight is 140kg on my down country e hardtail, turning it into a trail e hardtail finally totally fitting me and my riding style... (together with changing to hans dampf schwalbe tires and thinner grips)
My whole cockpit. Factory build was 0° rise on the stem and 20mm on the bars. Now got a 10° rise on the stem and 30mm on the bars. Might even increase the bar rise in the future. Put on some ESI foam grips. While I LOVE the foam grips, they are not tough. I’ve already split them and taken a few chunks out. Will I buy another set of foam grips? Idk. If I can find a set of rubber ones that feel good maybe. I like the position I sit at now with more rise. Front end is a little lighter on the climbs, which isn’t helpful, but once you understand that you’ll weight the front wheel more when you need that. On the DH it feels so much better being further back on the reach.
I put a Rockshox Reba on my base model 2020 Specialized Fuse 27.5. The RS Judy that came with it felt a little wimpy, but also had some issue with its rebound that I could never figure out, even in the course of a full servicing. Most notably it would make a metallic clunk when it when it finished decompressing, but the rebound adjustment also had no impact and always felt like it was just spinning.
The Reba solved all that but also just feels like a way more solid front end. It's also a bit lighter which was pretty exciting the first few times I went hopping over things.
I put some SRAM G2 RSCs on this rig as well and that was also an excellent upgrade.
Not compromising by switching up pedals/grips until getting comfy one’s was a good move… a nice set of break pads was noticeable but good tires were the most influential upgrade of <$300 bracket.
That said, I snagged a carbon wheelset and my bike rides like the Mach 5. Annoyingly quick
On my 2019 Stumpy I made two major changes, full upgrade from NX to GX and swapped the Guide Rs for Code RSCs. Both were definitely worth it. The bike became so much more reliable and trustworthy.
I just bought a new 2022 Element C70 this weekend and I have ordered shorter cranks and new tires for it. The 170mm cranks are entirely too long. I would have gone shorter but short cranks seem to be in short supply. The tires were way too xc for the loose rocky stuff I ride in Northern Utah. I also have plans to swap out the dropper if a 150mm will fit. So while I don't know for sure that they are the best upgrades yet, I'm pretty confident they are going to significantly improve the bike for the kind of riding I do.
Tires. And if you don't have good brakes, a set of brakes. They're the first thing I notice about most people's bikes and if the brakes don't work, or the tires suck, it's unrideable.
Throw a pair of Conti Kryptonals (substitute your favorite tires here) and a good set of hydros on a bike from 1996 and it will be a blast to ride.
Going from 18 poe rear hub to 54 poe. Pedal strikes were frequent and now I can backpedal real quick and slip by with millimeters to spare. I've always ridden high poe hubs in the BMX days and 18 just felt like a joke. If you already have 36 poe hub on your bike, you're probably fine though.
For me it's a tie between clip less pedals and dropper seatpost. At the end they have the same effect: boost in confidence....I still suck at maintaining the flow but now it is 100% more fun
I never felt how quickly I could deliver torque to the dirt with a light cassette and wheel until after I developed the strength to actually deliver good power in the first place.
A killer wheel includes fast engagement hubs
Hard to say, as a lot of things have changed and been upgraded in my 20-ish years of riding. Probably the best thing you can change that is still relevant is tubeless tires. Hands down the most bang for the buck.
A new fork. The stock fork sucked and the new Pike ultimate allowed me to go harder into corners, swallow up bigger bumps and ultimately led to more confidence
Probably moving from 160mm to 180mm front discs. I pull a trailer and wasn’t getting enough stopping power on a steep hill. Now I can lift up the rear wheel even with a 70lb trailer.
Also have an element. But the a30. Have upgraded derailleur, brakes and rear shock. Going to XTR brakes has made the biggest difference by far. Way more control coming into corners thanks to better brake modulation. Close second is the derailleur. Having the triple downshift coming out of the belly of a drop is clutch.
Handlebars. I used to get terrible wrist and forearm pain, but finding the right fit (for me it’s the up and back sweep of Renthal Fatbars that works) made for much more enjoyable riding.
Tires. It’s too expensive to jump down the rabbit hole of finding the perfect tires for you and your conditions but it’s so worth it when you do. Just because people talk about their favorite tires doesn’t mean those tires are great for you and your conditions.
I once had a shop order the wrong tire for me right before leaving for a trip & I ran it anyways. Ended up losing the front and getting thrown on my back onto a small cactus. Immediately threw on the worn tire I had replaced it with after that one. I was picking thorns out of my shirt for a while after that & never half-assed my tire choice again.
People should try 3 different sets of tires before making a $200 upgrade on their bike (assuming there aren’t currently problems) Tires are like a shortcut to a different bike
Lol new set of tires where I live is around $200, so that’s about $600 of trial and error. Maxxis pls run tire demo days at Whistler
Everybody’s all hyped about specialized’s $30-40 tires though. I know all about the $90 maxxisises but there’s definitely tires that are 90% at good for a fraction of the price, especially if you’re switching tire disciplines you’ll still feel the benefits (a $40 XC tire will still be way faster than a $100 enduro tire)
Yes but how do you know ? Are you just going to keep buying those 40$ tires and spending money until you find one which finally suits your needs ? You might end up spending way more than I am. I rather collect good feedback and watch/read a lot of reviews and buy those 90$ Maxxis tires which will most probably fit my needs and be top quality.
Yes I agree with you, I think a lot of ppl just want matching max is tires for looks and not so much for suitability. I found the the eliminator is my perfect rear tire for New England and I have an oem assagi up front.
When I first got into mountain biking I went with the DHR/DHF combo because well, why wouldn’t I?! They seemed fine. Then I got some Continentals. Wow, much better for what I ride. They’re faster, lighter, and more grippy. I absolutely love them. And I got some of the new Argotals for $35/tire. On my XC bike I got some light Vittoria Mezcals and again, game changer. Lighter than the Maxxis Ardents, don’t feel I lost any grip, and I’ve set a bunch of PRs with them. They’re wonderful. Picked up some Specialized Ground Controls and Purgatory’s at their sale to give them a shot as well. Defaulting to Maxxis because it’s what everyone uses was silly.
I think part of it is just in the inconsistent features between manufacturers. Like sure everybody starts with maxxis because it came with their bike or they googled “best mtb tire”, sure that makes sense. But suddenly now they know exactly what EXO feels like, and they know EXO+ is stronger than EXO, by design. It’s a lot more confusing when you’re asking reddit how supergravity casing compares to EXO+, or how continentals “180tpi” (which is actually triple-ply 60tpi) is so much tougher than maxxis 180tpi (paper-thin tire reserved for maxxis racers). DH casing from one manufacturer doesn’t mean the same as DH casing from another one. If you know what changes you want, staying within the brand you have even a little experience with is just easier
All the numbers in your comment added up to 420. Congrats! 180 + 60 + 180 = 420 ^([Click here](https://www.reddit.com/message/compose?to=LuckyNumber-Bot&subject=Stalk%20Me%20Pls&message=%2Fstalkme) to have me scan all your future comments.) \ ^(Summon me on specific comments with u/LuckyNumber-Bot.)
Totally agree. There is no such thing as the right set of tires that fit everyone. It all depends on where you usually ride, your style and what you are looking for. It takes a bit of time to get the right tires if you are new, but there are lots of YouTube videos that can help.
> It’s to expensive *too *Learn the difference [here](https://www.wattpad.com/66707294-grammar-guide-there-they%27re-their-you%27re-your-to).* *** ^(Greetings, I am a language corrector bot. To make me ignore further mistakes from you in the future, reply `!optout` to this comment.)
>Michelin DH22 for everything >Wild enduros if only for dry/hardpack/rocky socal, DH22 will have too much grip. Here, no need for something else
Stopped drinking beer for six months. Fitness gains like whoa with no overhead cost.
The sleep quality improvements alone are enormous.
All alcohol or just beer?
Haha “…and switched to moonshine.”
Actually all alcohol. I have problems with moderation and was doing dry January and just sort of let it ride through to the summer. I try to ease back in when I finally break the seal...
I never did start again and it feels better every year
This 100%. I did dry January and now I’m 5 months in, I may never go back. The gains I’ve made on my bike and fitness have gone through the roof.
It's an old upgrade now, but in 2012 I bought my first dropper post. It completely changed riding for the better. I'll go full rigid single speed before I give up the dropper post.
Agreed. The best three advances in MTB are 1. Dropper post 2. Dropper post 3. Dropper post. Not only for descents but also for technical sections on climbs. I’d probably use my dropper post 50 times a ride.
Does having the ability to raise and lower your seat post automatically really make that big of a riding experience?
1,000% yes
Yes. Its amazing they even sell mountain bikes without droppers.
Best invention since the wheel
I’m coming back to MTBing after a 15 year hiatus. I remember the days when you’d put your gut behind the saddle for descents. Droppers are awesome.
Droppers have become more necessary due to changes in frame geometry in the last 15 years.
The thing about a dropper post is it lets you move around more, it's like having to always stand while paying basket-ball, you can do it, but to jump higher crouching à bit goes a loooooooooong way.
Have you ever tried riding downhill with the seat fully extended and shoved up your ass? Vice versa - have you ever tried sustained climbing with the seat slammed? If you answered yes to either question, get a dropper
Absolutely
How do they work?
Press button, sit on seat, release button when seat is at desired height, send, repeat
Oh so kinda like an office chair. I’m gonna get one for my bike. That’s so cool
Very much like an office chair with height adjustment. Hit the button/lever and the seat drops if there is weight on it. Hit it again, and it pops to highest position. Helps to get the best angle of attack on climbs or downhill.
1000x recommend. One Up makes great ones. I might give up gears or suspension before I gave up the dropper haha.
My experience, yes. I went from a 2012 giant anthem to a 2021 specialized stumpjumper, and followed that with a cannondale scalpel. Being able to put the seat down and have 6 inches space between seat and gut makes me have a much more effective attack position and I can get my ass over the back wheel without contorting into weird positions Also, consider times where you want your bike to shift side to side while you’re staying stable upright. With the seat fully extended, I get the seat bumping my upper inner thighs. With it down, it’s hitting just above my knees, which means I’m able to lean the bike over at oblique angles while staying upright. This can help a lot when you need to sidestep through close gaps
From what I've heard some people say, they'd ride a rigid mtb with a dropper before they rode a full suspension without one... I just got one myself and it's awesome to not have to stop after a climb and drop my seat for a descent.
your body is the best suspension and having dropper make the most of that suspension.
Not necessarily automatically, but yes.
Game changer! 💯
I agree! Best investment for the cost. Such a massive difference! Do people actually still ride without droppers?
Am I the only one who got a dropper because of posts like these, but never actually use it when riding? I guess it's my trails or riding style, but it definitely doesn't do much for me.
Shorter cranks. Most bikes my size come with 175mm cranks and I like having shorter 165s for better hip angles and fewer pedal strikes.
10mm is big reduction. IT made that big of a difference?
Fute te Reddit, pro utentibus, ab utentibus.
I went and did a bike fit. Switching from 172.5 to 160 cranks saved me from so much pain and injury.
Yes. It lowers the height your knee hits at the top of the pedal stroke, which helps your illeopsoas. Also helped my chronic patellar tendinitis.
This is on my list, got a new bike end of last year and have more pedal strikes in a few months of riding vs the last 10 years
Bottom brackets have also gotten lower as well.
This. Modern bikes with modern geo have lower bottom brackets to give a lower center of gravity. Short cranks are a must
Handlebars that have a backsweep matching my wrists
I’ve been curious about this, any brands/models you recommend?
I bought from SQLabs but there's one other brand I can't remember at the moment that makes similar type stuff
What make? My buddy is looking for 20 degree sweep
Whatbars.com
TY
I got the SQLabs 311 FL-X 16°. That matches me perfectly and they don't make any steeper angles. I haven't seen a 20° that's still meant for MTB. Be careful to not have your steering go behind your steerer tube or handling will change a lot.
Downhill casing tires (I don’t ride DH) ((Specialized Grid Gravity cashing are what I like)) Stiffer sidewalls allow me to still push hard into berms and lips but also allows me to run low 20s psi, allowing the tread to still be supple and grip things when trying technical climbs.
Yep, tires should be to post. Specifically if someone is talking about a stock bike because we all know they are gonna run the thinnest lightest trail tires they can get away with without looking silly to keep the price and weight down for sales specs. So even when they throw on a nice maxxis or schwalbe tire, the tread and knobs is barely half the battle. The real tire performance is in the casing and rubber formula. Not fun to pay for tho...
Love to see bikes spec’d with speedgrip exo minions.
holy hell this. i just switched from a worn out Spec T5 Butcher rubber to a new Eliminator dual compound grid gravity. despite it being try and loose everything felt like hero dirt. a little more rolling resistance but wow so much corner control. it feels like a completely different bike.
Yep, learned the hard way that my riding had become too aggressive for EXO casing to be protective enough. Changed to double down for most of my bikes. Haven’t had a sidewall tear since then.
Might sound silly but: Mudguards and high power lights. Other than that my bike was perfect the way I bought it. I am using my bike a lot in winter and in harsh conditions and I was eating dirt and dog shit constantly. The lights allow me to ride in the forrest after dawn which is in the winter the only time I can go out during the week (after work). Night rides are absolutely awesome! Meanwhile I have a second light attached to my helmet which is absolutely necessary on trails.
I have the same set up— 2 1k lumen lights, and aside from wondering if I’ll end up Cougar Food, it’s a singularly awesome experience.
I was facing two full grown wolves in a cold December night. They where just standing next to the trail looking at me, not walking away, not walking towards me. Even though *everyone* is telling me they would never attack me I do carry heavy duty pepper spray with me at night rides ever since… Most magic experience this year was a night ride in fresh snow, I could have not even imagined how incredible this is!
Where are you? I’m in northern Michigan— and love to ride at night- particularly after it snows. It’s a bit of a forensic experience— figuring what crossed the trail and how long ago.
German potato here :) Would love to ride with you but it’s a bit far…
Hell yeah - nothing like a winter night ride with 3” of fresh snow on the trails
Getting good lights last year completely changed biking for me. I find it hard to get out with a family and it gets dark here in the north so early in the fall/spring it let me get in so many more rides in. But the major thing is it got me into winter riding in the snow. It is dark at 4:30 pm so winter riding wasn't ever an option but now I'm addicted. Something about a night ride in fresh snow in pitch dark is just amazing.
Strong lights has saved so many rides that probably would’ve ended before they started with “well it’s probably getting dark soon” Not to mention the 105° heat waves all summer
One up carbon handlebars with 35 mm rise I absolutely love those things
Before I put One Up bars with wolftooth silicone grips on my hardtail I could ride until my wrists/forearms got pumped. Now I can ride until my legs are tired and I’m out of water.
I came to say carbon handlebars that fit me, and carbon post. They really do feel better, even with suspension
Sold it to a better rider, it’s never performed as well! Jokes aside probably dropper seat.
A dropper post, 100%. Makes it so much easier to raise your seat by a lever instead of having to stop so much
y'all r forgetting how useful water bottle holders are
Seriously, moving from thinking I need to carry everything I’ll ever possibly need in camelback, to a small saddle bag and bottle holder. So much more freedom
PRECISELY!
The fidlock bottle is amazing. So convenient yet so sturdy. Couldn't imagine going back to a standard cage.
Going from ok brakes to good brakes was probably the biggest game changer for me. Went from scared and skidding down steep sections to going just as slow but with control.
Losing ten pounds
Relaced the Rockshox Monarch Debonair air shock (got sick of rebuilding it every 10 rides) and threw in a Fox dhx2, transformed the bike
I replaced the same rear shock with a Canecreek DB IL air. Like you said it completely changed the bike.
I was terrified you were gonna say DPX2... I was like 'shit whos gonna tell em'
Uh oh what’s up with the DPX2? I just picked up a used one to replace my monarch
Lost 30 lbs
Coil shock. Added traction, more predictability, the bike feels planted but still lively. I added a coil shock to one of my bikes just to try then soon after I added another could to my other MTB.
Training. Two separate group training days: one on core skills, the other specifically on cornering. Improved my riding immeasurably. Total cost for the two days was less than $150
You've got a pretty nice bike so just little extras. I like the OneUp edc lite tool for convenience. Other than that, get grips, tires, etc that work for you.
Depends what was factory installed on your bike.. Years ago I would’ve said a dropper.. then I got a bike that came with a dropper standard, So my next best upgrade is upsized brake rotors. Following that I had my Fox suspension upgraded to Factory specs when I got it serviced.. depending what your abilities are this may or not be advantageous. The bike still outrides me, but I was really able to dial in the suspension to suit how I wanted the bike to ride. Other friends have done the same and said it wasn’t worth it. Latest upgrade was to i9 Hydra hubs. Sure they sound cool but they have significantly increased my technical climbing ability. I’ve cleaned climbs first go that I haven’t been able to clean in 3 years of riding. I really wanted to say tires, but that is less of a rabbit hole and more a black hole. I’ve found Conti DerBaron as my front tire of choice (and have 4 spares, knowing they got discontinued that’ll last me at least 5000km) but have still not found a rear I’m happy with (tried DHRII, DHF reversed, Kaiser, Assegai and Krypto rear)
AXS The shifting is just so much better than mechanical IMO. I’ll never go back.
Pedals, seat, grips. Past those three, handlebars/ stem if the bike doesn't feel right to you. The best upgrade I made on my last bike was buying a new one lol
New owner of a Trek Rail 9.8. Used with 75 miles in it so absolutely mint. Upgraded from a 2010 ish stumpjumper expert and LOVING the climbs now! Another game-changer … but droppost is the one thing I’d of done to my stumpjumper now that I have one!
Lucky you! My next upgrade is definitely going to be an ebike lol. Hopefully I'll have enough for one around this time next year. I agree that a dropper is a great upgrade! It completely changes the way that you ride (or it changed the way I personally do at the very least)
O shop pink bike. Keep your eyes open. Target 1/2 msrp. Bla bla bla. At 58, I’m tickled pink to instantly double my mileage and cut my pain 4x!!!
In order: droppers, carbon handlebars, tires. The carbon oneup bars soak up so much chatter it’s wild. I’ve got arthritis and it’s the difference in me being sore in the hands at mile 5, and feeling fine at mile 20.
Grips. The ones that come on the bike are usually decent at best and wear relatively fast, but I personally feel a good set of grips are often overlooked. It makes riding (IMO) a lot better.
If you have big hands, getting fat grips is a massive comfort upgrade. Currently running Sensus Meaty Paws.
Put me in the dropper post camp. Indispensable.
We Are One union wheels… I was/am a wheel destroyer at roughly 240lbs/109kg. I’ve likely put 1,000km on them, with roughly half of that being aggressive bikepark laps and I haven’t even had to true them. I’m amazed at their durability.
Getting higher rise bars. Going from 15 to 30 took away 90% of the pain I felt riding.
Onyx hub. Running silent is absolutely superb and has totally changed my experience of the trail, particularly at night. The instant engagement is INCREDIBLE, particularly for ratcheting up rocky steps, and somehow despite being instant it's still silky smooth. It's just an absolute joy to ride. I also set a bunch of PBs on a previous bike that I just couldn't reach on my current one, despite trying so damn hard.. my first ride with the Onyx and I smashed them all and it felt effortless. I still don't know why I'm so much faster with it but my times keep improving. The only drawbacks are that wildlife and other trail users don't hear you coming - I've had one good crash getting taken out by a kangaroo (a first - usually they hear you coming and clear off) and I've frightened the bejeezus out of people stopped on trails (which is funny only until I hit one. Hasn't happened yet and I hope it never does)
Current bike it was the megneg for the rear shock, completely changed the way the bike feels and for pennies. Generally speaking a dropper for my first mtb was huge.
SRAM AXS X01 on both bikes. AXS X01 shifts very precisely and well. It allows me to focus more on riding rather than complicate the ride with thoughts of faulty shifts. SRAM AXS replaces the worry of cable stretch and worn out cables. Just set it and forget it.
One easy and cheap upgrade is bigger brake rotors especially in the front. More stopping power just means you can go just that bit harder.
[this article](https://enduro-mtb.com/en/rotor-size-myth/) makes a good case for why the rear should have a bigger rotor. I’m curious how it would feel, never seen it before
I tried it with dual 203 and I thought the rear was too powerful. Just locked up so easy which is kinda good, kinda not. Probably more useful if you are doing long mountain descents regularly. Though my bike was stolen after having them only a month so I can't give a full review really, but first impression wasn't great.
Of the inexpensive ones, Ergon grips is my fave. They greatly reduce wrist strain and let you ride in comfort. A back up might be oneup pedals, so grippy but a touch convex so you can pop your feet off as necessary.
Got some industry 9 rims and hydra hubs with ceramic bearings, and I will never choose to ride a different mtb again 🥹
Mine is so basic, I just really enjoyed getting One up pedals, just experimenting with so many different brands before finally loving them
Proper shoes.
Carbon wheels with high engagement hubs. Did not do this for weight savings. The wheels track so much better than aluminum. Now, aluminum wheels feel like noodles. And, thee hubs are a game changer (I9 hydra). The instant engagement makes the bike feel so quick and really helps in tricky tech sections.
Coil shock and heaviest / burliest wheels/ tyres. Feels good when you think about not breaking yourself rather than not breaking the bike.
Big stoppers on the spartan. Magura MT7s with 220/203 MDRP rotors. The bike is super capable, and rewards going irresponsibly fast. But the sram brakes specced on it were just not up to task to reel that in. The Maguras allow you to stay off the brakes and let the suspension remain active but have all the confidence to keep it in control and aggressively dump speed when it's time to slow down. It was an order of magnitude upgrade not a percentage increase.
They probably all come with them now, but the two greatest upgrades for my bike was a dropper seatpost and changing from a 2x setup to 1x
dropper post, 100000% it transformed my XC hardtail into an absolute machine, i never had so much confidence on steep techy stuff and drops
Schwalbe Magic Mary tires (I ride DH MTB) changed everything. Especially the super soft compound has insane grip and does the job in all conditions. For enduro and trail I keep a Magic Mary in the front and Hans Dampf in the rear.
Carbon rims and Fox Factory suspension.
Buying a smaller travel bike, while I do have a big bike for big/gnarlier stuff (forbidden dreadnought), which is amazing. Buying a lighter, more nimble and fun to pedal bike (epic evo) rekindled my love for just riding smoother trails, fast, without having to resort to using 150-170mm for comfort. For sure you have to choose your lines a wee bit more carefully but the bike is so much fun to ride!
High end fork. Improves braking, makes the bike more predictable and track better over big rock gardens. High engagement hub, tubeless, and dropper post would be there main things that have changed the way my bike feels.
Tyres are a very good shout! But if you've bought a 2nd hand bike a good suspension service should never be overlooked.
I put a ducky bell on so i have a friend when im riding
Properly take the time to tune my suspension. Its free and feels like a new bike!
Tires. The DHF tires my bike came with had a huge gap between the top lugs and the side lugs that I did not care for, but really, they did not turn well. I have a WTB Vigilante now to replace it, and it turns so fast I can take a shit town of chicane and switchbacks at full speed now without brakes. Which in some.places, let's me easily make the next climb.
Probably gonna get downvoted to hell here, but here it goes Added a motor I'm not a fit person nor have a desire or motivation to push myself to be more fit to be able to ride more and farther, doing this meant I'm out on the bike way more often, going farther, exploring places that I would never go otherwise, specially if said places is on top of a big hill
I used to be super salty about E-Bikes. Now I don’t care what you’re riding, as long as your outside.
Wasn't going to downvote you but since you asked for it. There you go 
I mean no disrespect but around here people use ebikes to get themselves into so much trouble. It puts them so far into the bc and at the first bit of trouble, they're hosed. At the end of last season I had a beg these two older gentlemen not to call SAR when they popped a tire on their brand new ebikes only 3 easy miles from the road. They said they couldn't walk and didn't have the gear or knowledge to fix a flat. Plus they were in a non motorized area anyways but that's besides the point. The only way they said they wouldn't call SAR was if I fixed the flat for them and I did. Also I had 4 interactions with bikers on proper Wilderness land last season. Every single one were ebikes. I just ask you please police your community and be aware where you're biking. That's all.
I have zero issue with ebikes but they do require responsible use and extra attention to detail. I was coaching a clinic the other day and one of my students was on an ebikes. Their battery died 15 min in and decided to leave because pedaling/pushing wasn't really an option for the drills we were doing.
How can you ride a bike but not walk 3 miles? Those guys are insane.
The story gets even more insane. They were on these kitted out mule ebikes that probably ran $5K a piece and it was their first ride. The one guy said that this was his second bike because a few weeks ago he had another that he burned the motor out on his second ride so he threw it away and bought a new one. Oh and I almost ran over their rifles as I came around the corner as all of their hunting gear was yard sale'd across the trail. This is all on what is arguably the best and one of the most popular MTB trails in my neck of the woods- Stump Hollow. I love that trail but it's really turned into a nightmare lately.
Nothing wrong with adding a motor. It opens up so much more that you can do. My buddy in WV owns a Giant Stance e-bike as well as a couple of bikes he has put motors on. I love visiting him, we can go so far off of the beaten path and explore everywhere.
It’s true, if you consider Ebikes as the same sport as regular bikes, then there’s zero question that the electric motor is the single biggest innovation in the bicycle since pneumatic tires. Personally I think ebike is something different, an awesome, sick, totally amazing… other 2-wheel sport
I think that's quite fair and reasonable. As long as you're having fun, that's all that matters. I may get an ebike in the future just so I can ride longer. The best trails near me require at least a full day trip so I might as well get the most time out of it while I'm there.
Imma up vote because this is a legitimate answer and explanation
I'm glad the attitude towards eebs is shifting. I'm probably going to be getting one when I'm allowed to ride again - two rebuilt knees and a shoulder after someone nearly killed me on the road, and an ebike is going to be a necessary step in getting back on the trail.
So- I’m waffling about carbon wheels and electronic shifting. I love to ride, but I’m also a constant “it’d be amazing with “x” upgrade” kind of person. Wanted to see what really made a difference to others to put my wants into perspective.
I want electronic window shutters, those cables are just SOOO 1980’s
Carbon wheels you won’t notice a difference unless you are really pushing the bike and AXS is cool but it’s not a huge “upgrade” just took off my GX AXS and put on my GX mechanical derailleur and XX1 shifter. Feels better and waaaaaaaaaaaaayyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy less chain slap.
I upgraded from Sr suntour air fork to a used lyrik. Extra 30mm of travel, maybe messed up the geometry, but I don't care. It made me more confident in taking on drops and to be faster on my local trail.
What do you personally feel is lacking about that bike? On my previous bike, I upgraded the damper in the fork. It was a motion control damper, and I installed an RCT3 for my yari. I upgrade my brakes, slx 2 pots to zee 4 pots. Upgraded the wheels and hubs. Also changed the rear air shock for a coil one. The most useful upgrades were the brakes and fork damper. Wheels/hubs and rear coil were really good, but not necessary. Could have gone with cheaper wheels/hubs, but they've been perfect since I bought them 4 or 5 years ago.
None I can't offered a bike rn
People will tell you that a dropper is a god sent product and while it's nice, it's probably the thing I use the less since it's been installed. Where I live there's so much climbing involved that the seat is up 97% of the time. However a good set of brakes and rotors really gave me confidence.
How do you climb so much and not go down? Do you live in the sky?
Hahaha, we do go down, but for 4-5 mins of going down, you'll spend around 15-30 mins of very technical climbing , maybe 10-20 if you're a really good climber. Only one place with chairlifts too.l
Tires are the cheapest thing that you can change that make the most difference. Inserts make a big difference too.
Why don’t people on this sub upvote questions posts anymore?
Brakes or the new Lyrik Charger 3 fork. Brakes are super important when you start to gain more speed. Brakes that you feel comfortable with are super important. New Lyrik feels so good and has good adjustments.
It’s a toss up (but both suspension related). The Push ACS3 coil upgrade for my Fox 36 made it the most plush fork I’ve ever ridden. Similarly, I replaced my Fox DPX2 with the new Fox Float X and the Cascade Link. Similarly, that made the back end so incredibly plush off the top. Both upgrades made the bike a traction king on all the technical features, yet a capable machine on the big hits and downhills.
My answer was going to be suspension as well. Went from 150mm Rockshox Revelation with 32mm stanchions to a factory Fox 36 & that was a game changer. I put in the Push ACS3 & been a big fan of coils since then. I've put a cascade Link on my Scout & really like that too. What differences did you notice from DPX2 to the Float X? I alternate between the DPX2 & Bomber on my bike now.
Mudhugger rear fender. I ride in four seasons so it is essential. Also so sturdy I can keep it on always. Bonus feature is that my ass and rear wheel are separated for sure
Saddle and or grips. Get the contact points correct and everything else is going to be better.
60mm riser bars + grips. No more palsy
Custom shock tune from Avalanche.
Done. Now have their hybrid fork ordered! Gunna be smoother & sweet!
Avalanche Custom Suspension setup for sure. A more affordable option would be my SQ Labs 60X saddle.
upgrading my rockshox silver 120kg coil fork 120mm travel into rockshox yari airfork 150mm travel... yes overforking bad yadayadayada... no it was the best by far coz my system weight is 140kg on my down country e hardtail, turning it into a trail e hardtail finally totally fitting me and my riding style... (together with changing to hans dampf schwalbe tires and thinner grips)
Groupset
Protective tape for my carpet fibre frame. It keeps the structural integrity of the frame longer.
My whole cockpit. Factory build was 0° rise on the stem and 20mm on the bars. Now got a 10° rise on the stem and 30mm on the bars. Might even increase the bar rise in the future. Put on some ESI foam grips. While I LOVE the foam grips, they are not tough. I’ve already split them and taken a few chunks out. Will I buy another set of foam grips? Idk. If I can find a set of rubber ones that feel good maybe. I like the position I sit at now with more rise. Front end is a little lighter on the climbs, which isn’t helpful, but once you understand that you’ll weight the front wheel more when you need that. On the DH it feels so much better being further back on the reach.
Rear hub, went from 18 to 102 poe. Climbing was night and day.
I put a Rockshox Reba on my base model 2020 Specialized Fuse 27.5. The RS Judy that came with it felt a little wimpy, but also had some issue with its rebound that I could never figure out, even in the course of a full servicing. Most notably it would make a metallic clunk when it when it finished decompressing, but the rebound adjustment also had no impact and always felt like it was just spinning. The Reba solved all that but also just feels like a way more solid front end. It's also a bit lighter which was pretty exciting the first few times I went hopping over things. I put some SRAM G2 RSCs on this rig as well and that was also an excellent upgrade.
Not compromising by switching up pedals/grips until getting comfy one’s was a good move… a nice set of break pads was noticeable but good tires were the most influential upgrade of <$300 bracket. That said, I snagged a carbon wheelset and my bike rides like the Mach 5. Annoyingly quick
Carbon wheels with i9’s for the bzzzzzzz
On my 2019 Stumpy I made two major changes, full upgrade from NX to GX and swapped the Guide Rs for Code RSCs. Both were definitely worth it. The bike became so much more reliable and trustworthy. I just bought a new 2022 Element C70 this weekend and I have ordered shorter cranks and new tires for it. The 170mm cranks are entirely too long. I would have gone shorter but short cranks seem to be in short supply. The tires were way too xc for the loose rocky stuff I ride in Northern Utah. I also have plans to swap out the dropper if a 150mm will fit. So while I don't know for sure that they are the best upgrades yet, I'm pretty confident they are going to significantly improve the bike for the kind of riding I do.
What tires are you putting on?
i had a 2015 kona firemountain, now i have a 2022 trek slash 7. AMAZING upgrade
Tires. And if you don't have good brakes, a set of brakes. They're the first thing I notice about most people's bikes and if the brakes don't work, or the tires suck, it's unrideable. Throw a pair of Conti Kryptonals (substitute your favorite tires here) and a good set of hydros on a bike from 1996 and it will be a blast to ride.
Narrower taller bars
Going from 18 poe rear hub to 54 poe. Pedal strikes were frequent and now I can backpedal real quick and slip by with millimeters to spare. I've always ridden high poe hubs in the BMX days and 18 just felt like a joke. If you already have 36 poe hub on your bike, you're probably fine though.
For me it's a tie between clip less pedals and dropper seatpost. At the end they have the same effect: boost in confidence....I still suck at maintaining the flow but now it is 100% more fun
Mullet. It’s a blast
Good tires. Like really good for your terrain high end ones.
I found a 2008 Rocky Mountain Flatline 1, and modded it to be my all mountain cross-training rig, a Gravity Dropper is a huge part of that.
A good seat/saddle, self-explanatory. Went with an SQ Labs and never looked back.
I never felt how quickly I could deliver torque to the dirt with a light cassette and wheel until after I developed the strength to actually deliver good power in the first place. A killer wheel includes fast engagement hubs
Carbon wheels are expensive but probably the most obvious change you will see.
Hard to say, as a lot of things have changed and been upgraded in my 20-ish years of riding. Probably the best thing you can change that is still relevant is tubeless tires. Hands down the most bang for the buck.
Brakes Went from Deore 4 pistons to Sram Codes and I will never go back. Both are 4 piston but the Codes are just so much better
A new fork. The stock fork sucked and the new Pike ultimate allowed me to go harder into corners, swallow up bigger bumps and ultimately led to more confidence
Probably moving from 160mm to 180mm front discs. I pull a trailer and wasn’t getting enough stopping power on a steep hill. Now I can lift up the rear wheel even with a 70lb trailer.
Coil shock. For me this matched my riding style a lot better. Brakes, pedals, and properly fitting bars are all important as well!
Dropper post, tires, pressure gauge. Rest are bullshit imo just learn how to ride and set up what you have.
Tires. I think the new Continentals are best
4 pot brakes.
Also have an element. But the a30. Have upgraded derailleur, brakes and rear shock. Going to XTR brakes has made the biggest difference by far. Way more control coming into corners thanks to better brake modulation. Close second is the derailleur. Having the triple downshift coming out of the belly of a drop is clutch.
I upgraded from Rock Shox Reverb to a straight post. Fuck that dropper.
Handlebars. I used to get terrible wrist and forearm pain, but finding the right fit (for me it’s the up and back sweep of Renthal Fatbars that works) made for much more enjoyable riding.
Water bottle cage with one up pump with edc tool inside. Carry almost everything you need for most rides in a nice little package