Oppo, Let's talk mountain bikes.

"Zipppy, Mazdurp builder, Probeski owner and former ricerboy" (zipppyart)
07/17/2014 at 09:49 • Filed to: None

So, I'm having some ideas for my bike, which is a MEC Chinook (Pictured).

I want to replace the rear gearing for something a bit more durable, (I have 24 speeds), as my 6th and 7th skip every once in a while, and is worse on higher gears. and I'm suspecting that teeth are a bit chewed, but they don't skip for a day when I put fresh lubrication on it.

I'm also considering "road tires", with a less aggressive tread, so I don't wear my Kenda KLAWs down so much. The rims I have currently are 26" Alexrims DP17s with discs, and I forget the width of the tire, it's noticeably skinnier than what my friends used when I went on a couple trails with them, I had the lower-specced bike, but I kept up easily. I haven't been following bikes that much, so I apologize for some lack of info.

DISCUSSION (15)

marvthegrate > Zipppy, Mazdurp builder, Probeski owner and former ricerboy
07/17/2014 at 09:53

I might consider getting a new pair of wheels laced up with the gearing you want on the rear. That way you can have one set with the low rolling resistance tires and perhaps higher gearing if you'r using it to commute or the like, and one set with the off road tires and lower gearing.

I have last year's Raleigh Talus 29 sport. It's not the highest end anything but I love it.

MonkeePuzzle > Zipppy, Mazdurp builder, Probeski owner and former ricerboy
07/17/2014 at 09:54

I roll a set of Schwalbe Big Apple tyres for on-road use. Nice and wide, and no aggressive tread means its nice and quiet too

as a bonus, a large reflective stripe on the sidewall makes you stick out at night

Alfalfa > Zipppy, Mazdurp builder, Probeski owner and former ricerboy
07/17/2014 at 09:54

As far as transportation goes, my strong opinion is that you can't do better than a mountain bike with road tires. They make the ride so much smoother, and the ruggedness and maneuverability of a mountain bike comes in very handy when you need to take a detour or hop a curb at a moments notice.

Lumpy44, Proprietor Of Fine Gif > Alfalfa
07/17/2014 at 09:56

This. All of this.

Mattbob > Zipppy, Mazdurp builder, Probeski owner and former ricerboy
07/17/2014 at 10:01

Throw a new cassette and chain on there, adjust the derailleur get some less agressive tires and be done with it. You should be able to do all that for under a hundred bucks. While your at it, you could get a new rear shifter (maybe a derailleur if you need it) and add a few more gears to the back. 8 and 9 speed cassettes are relatively cheap. I replaced my SRAM cassette last year. Easy job. Here is a link to an 8 speed cassette:

http://www.amazon.com/SRAM-PG850-11-…

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MonkeePuzzle > marvthegrate
07/17/2014 at 10:03

and if doing a second set of wheels so you can keep road and offroad tires mounted, hit up craigslist, I bought a good set of wheels with tyres mounted very cheap. some folks are even ditching whole bikes for as cheap as a new set of wheels and tyres

Quattro-luvr, Powered by Datsun & Stinger > Zipppy, Mazdurp builder, Probeski owner and former ricerboy
07/17/2014 at 10:15

How old is your rig and about how many miles?

I would first suspect you need to have the rear derailleurs adjusted. Especially if you're seeing the issue on high gears. Derailleurs have an adjustment screw for the low and high gear to line the chain up to the gear.If that doesn't solve it a new chain is probably in order.

Does your front shock have a lock out feature? Because you loose a lot of energy with that thing bobbing up and down.

For road, I would certainly go with a thinner and smoother tread tire. Much less rolling resistance!

Zipppy, Mazdurp builder, Probeski owner and former ricerboy > Quattro-luvr, Powered by Datsun & Stinger
07/17/2014 at 15:00

Had the bike for about 4 years, not sure about the mileage, but it's been used pretty much daily.

I've done derailleur adjustment on my old bike before, so hopefully It should be similar.

I lock out my suspension when I'm zipping down a smooth road, Although roads here are hell sometimes.

Zipppy, Mazdurp builder, Probeski owner and former ricerboy > MonkeePuzzle
07/17/2014 at 15:05

They don't look bad at all, added that to my comparison of tires.

Quattro-luvr, Powered by Datsun & Stinger > Zipppy, Mazdurp builder, Probeski owner and former ricerboy
07/17/2014 at 15:09

Cool. If it's a DD then you probably need to change the chain and rear cassette. Chains will stretch enough after about a 1,000 miles to start wearing the teeth on the cassette. I'd definitely try to adjust your derailleurs first though and see if you can save spending money.

Zipppy, Mazdurp builder, Probeski owner and former ricerboy > Mattbob
07/17/2014 at 15:14

My biggest concern here is, would a different cassette change the gear ratio?

Zipppy, Mazdurp builder, Probeski owner and former ricerboy > Alfalfa
07/17/2014 at 15:16

Awesome. More reasons to love the mountain bike.

Zipppy, Mazdurp builder, Probeski owner and former ricerboy > Quattro-luvr, Powered by Datsun & Stinger
07/17/2014 at 15:19

A link in the chain had to be removed because I was an idiot and and managed to snap the chain on the trail last year. So I guess, new Cassette and chain it is then.

Zipppy, Mazdurp builder, Probeski owner and former ricerboy > marvthegrate
07/17/2014 at 15:26

Yup, that's pretty much the plan. I managed to snap the chain trail riding last year, so I guess a shorter gear works.

Mattbob > Zipppy, Mazdurp builder, Probeski owner and former ricerboy
07/17/2014 at 17:19

just check how many teeth are currently on there and compare. It is usually stamped into each gear of the cassette. They are pretty standard for the most part. Just make sure you get the right number of gears.