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Rebuilding bike

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salomonskiier12
Posts: 2862 - Karma: 19
Hi,
i currently own this bike, but i'm thinking of rebuilding it this summer.  I mostly do Xc/road riding, so no djs or downhilling really.

But anyways, where should I start upgrading? Drivetrain? fork? wheels?  I dont want disc brakes cause those are too much of a pain. 
And...if it means anything, i've heard my frame is very light.

here is my bike
http://www.bikepedia.com/quickbike/BikeSpecs.aspx?Year=2006&Brand=Jamis&Model=Cross%20Country%202.0&Type=bike

I know i sound like a noob, but i have been biking for as long as I can remember, but i just haven't done any of my own repairs.
Apr 22 2010 8:30PM
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mattridesskis
Posts: 635 - Karma: 17
1. upgrade fork
2. upgrade all drivetrain
3. upgrade wheels, including tires.
4. then seat and grips and shtufff
Apr 22 2010 8:38PM
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no_steeze
Posts: 23992 - Karma: 4,272
i'd say in order of priority, i'd change seat, brakes (disc), fork, wheels. the drivetrain is fine for that bike, maybe swap rear derailleur but if you wanna put some money into it just get a better frame, you won't be able to go very far with that bike. if you plan on putting maguras, a fox fork, and dt wheels then i'd recommend getting a new bike, but if you're looking for simple upgrades then i'd definitely rock disc brakes and get a new fork, wheels will help too.

for brakes look into hayes 9 if you want a price point hydro brake, or if you want lower maintenance and cheaper mechanicals look into avid bb5's

fork isn't a huge issue, just get away from that stock fork. you could get a cheap rock shox fork or a marzocchi spring. a good spring fork with decent travel will be fine for you, otherwise you could get an air fork and spend a bit more money

wheels there are so many options, get something light and disc only that's decently cheap, you could go to your local shop and talk to them about that, sunrims generally are pretty cheap and pretty good
Apr 22 2010 8:39PM
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theabortionator
Posts: 51645 - Karma: 162,278
paint it pink
Apr 22 2010 8:41PM
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no_steeze
Posts: 23992 - Karma: 4,272
sorry for dub post, but i think you will be happy in the end if you get disc brakes, v brakes suck
Apr 22 2010 8:42PM
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Big.L
Posts: 703 - Karma: 15
trade it for a bmx you pus
Apr 22 2010 8:49PM
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Dan.
Posts: 7201 - Karma: 1,126
properly adjusted v brakes on a trued wheel actually offer much more stopping power than any disc can
Apr 22 2010 8:52PM
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ChrisSkisChronic
Posts: 1128 - Karma: 230
Personally, I wouldn't put any money into a $400 bike.
Apr 22 2010 8:54PM
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salomonskiier12
Posts: 2862 - Karma: 19
I personally dont understand why I should get disk brakes.  Its just one more high tech system on a bike that isn't needed. v brakes do the job...
Apr 23 2010 12:03AM
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ajax
Posts: 2852 - Karma: 1,245
I would upgrade the fork, if you go much beyond that you should consider a new bike imo.
Apr 23 2010 12:10AM
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KyleA
Posts: 865 - Karma: 510
Disk brakes perform better in wet conditions and don't cause any additional wobble with an untrue wheel.  If you do not think you will benefit from a brake upgrade, don't upgrade.  I would say get a new fork first.  I think you will notice the most improvement from that.  If you plan on upgrading the fork, drive train, and wheels I would suggest a new bike.  It just doesn't seem worth it to put several hundred dollars into what you have.  Also, I would suggest a new saddle. The one in the stock photo looks quite ugly.

The best place for bike information is pinkbike.com.  Look in the forums there and I'm sure you will find what people like best for the type of riding you do.  Also, the buy/sell section will save you a lot of money if you do chose to upgrade your components. 
Apr 23 2010 12:34AM
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@skiinmitch
Posts: 2781 - Karma: 78
This is what you gotta do. Get a job, make money, sell that bike, buy this bike http://www.trekbikes.com/ca/en/bikes/mountain_full_suspension/fuel_ex/fuelex5wsd/
Apr 23 2010 12:45AM
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s.erickson
Posts: 504 - Karma: 992
Haha and rim brakes aren't? Have yo ever used discs before? I am pretty fucking sure that having to occasionally bleed your brakes (If you get hydros) is outweighed by the ten thousand times more stopping power you have over rim brakes.
Apr 23 2010 1:40AM
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DutchhGutss
Posts: 896 - Karma: 124
Pretty much upgrade everything, get some good forks that have adjustable height so you can stiffen for the road and loosen for the trails.
Apr 23 2010 9:05AM
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s_a_m
Posts: 916 - Karma: 58
v brakes are bad when they get wet. if your wheel isnt true they suck. there is nothing really high tech about mechanical disc brakes. they are pretty simple. i can understand if you dont want hydrolic dics cause they can be a bitch to fix. id upgrade (in order of priority) the tires, fork, derailers, wheels, brakes. the stem, saddle, and grips all depend on your personal preferences. in the end it might be cheaper to buy a new or used bike.
Apr 23 2010 9:14AM
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steezmoe*
Posts: 357 - Karma: 13
yes you do
Apr 23 2010 11:28AM
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EvanA02
Posts: 421 - Karma: 47
I was in your predicament a few years ago...

personally i would sell this bike and just go to a better one like
http://www.specialized.com/us/en/bc/SBCBkModel.jsp?spid=45759&menuItemId=0
these used to be indestructible and a much better bike to eventually upgrade

imo
Apr 23 2010 11:51AM
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EvanA02
Posts: 421 - Karma: 47
sorry for the dub post but this was exactly my thoughts as well
Apr 23 2010 11:52AM
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@skiinmitch
Posts: 2781 - Karma: 78
no. they wear down wayy faster. and their cabels strtch easier. hydrolic disc brakes withb 6 inch roters work way better.
Apr 23 2010 11:53AM
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RockyMountnHigh
Posts: 990 - Karma: 14
ya maybe for op's style of riding. Downhill and DJ biking definately require disc breaks for stopping power. Disc breaks definately > v brakes
Apr 23 2010 11:55AM
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RockyMountnHigh
Posts: 990 - Karma: 14
lol woops i spelt brakes wrong FAIL.
Apr 23 2010 11:55AM
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Dan.
Posts: 7201 - Karma: 1,126
they do not wear down faster, and they do not stretch easier.. that just means you are using cheap compounds or bad cables. there is a reason cross riders choose cantilever brakes over discs. its physics though, why do you think rim mounted discs are starting to show up on superbikes? you have the most stopping power near the outside of the wheel.

and I race DH and cyclocross, so I know the benefits of each and run avid codes on my dh rig and spookys on my cross bike.

and to the person who mentioned DJ, I know a few people who run brakeless when they DJ, if you can ride brakeless, then a disc definitely isn't "necessary". especially when people only jump when its sunny out, not in any adverse conditions.
Apr 23 2010 1:08PM
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I_liketobutter
Posts: 2664 - Karma: 997
disc brakes are a waste of money aftermarket. b/c to get a benefit thats worth spending money on, youll have to get hydraullic discs, which are going to be 150+ at a minimum.

ive had v-brakes on my bike for years, they do the job just fine, youll need to adjust them every now and then. a properly adjusted v-brake works pretty damn well.

disc brakes are like getting rims on your lowered sportish car. yeah they look nice and handle a little better. but you have to spend the big $ on lightweight rims and nice tires for it really to make a difference.

fork/drivetrain/wheels should be what you do first, but after your done upgrading all of that, your going to be out $600+ at a minimum. I would try and sell your bike for cheap, then save a couple hundred and buy something in the $1000 - $1300 range. Then youll have much better wheels, frame, drivetrain, fork, etc.....pretty much everything.

check out bikesdirect.com for some really good deals. they change it up every know and then.

if you dont want to spend that much, really the only thing worth changing out is a rear derailleur/shifter at most. thats about 125$ alone for a decent set. and then your seat and grips. all three of these parts are nice to upgrade because they can swap from bike to bike easily.

if you get a rear derailleur, get a sram x-9 w/ shifter. seat and grips are all personal preference.
Apr 23 2010 2:26PM
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Static
Posts: 8553 - Karma: 4,089
mythreads
Apr 23 2010 5:18PM
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