Upgrading

[gwhite]

I am investigating the posibility of either upgrading my current setup or purchasing a new bike. I have recently over the past year become very comfortable with my Specialized Camber Comp and would prefer to keep the bike but make some upgrades. I was hoping to gather some feedback, opinions and advice from the forum as to what should be upgraded and what it should be upgraded to. I am a big AM rider and like to keep it that way with the upgrading of my bike.

 

REAR SHOCK: RockShox Ario RL, air spring, rebound adj. and LO, 200x51mm

FORK: RockShox Recon Silver TK, TurnKey damper, Solo Air, alloy steerer, LO and reb adj., disc only, 120mm travel

HEADSET: 1-1/8" upper and lower, Campy-style cartridge bearings for integrated alloy HT

STEM: Specialized XC, 3D forged alloy, 4-bolt, 31.8mm clamp, adjustable rise, S: 60mm, M: 75, L:90, XL:105mm

HANDLEBARS: Specialized All-Mountain low-rise, 6061 butted alloy, 720mm wide, 8º backsweep, 6º upsweep, 31.8mm

FRONT BRAKE: Tektro Draco, hydraulic disc, ceramic pad compound, Light Wave rotor S/M:180mm rotor, Others: 203mm rotor

REAR BRAKE: Tektro Draco, hydraulic disc, ceramic pad compound, Light Wave rotor S/M:160mm rotor, Others: 180mm rotor

BRAKE LEVERS: Tektro Draco hydraulic

FRONT DERAILLEUR: Shimano SLX M660E, E-type for DMD, top-swing, bottom-pull

REAR DERAILLEUR: Shimano SLX Shadow M662, 9-speed, SGS long cage

SHIFT LEVERS: Shimano Alivio M430, 9-speed, trigger

CASSETTE: Shimano HG20 9-speed, 11-34t,

CHAIN: KMC X-9, 9-speed, reusable Missing Link

CRANKSET: Shimano Alivio, Octalink spline, 44/32/22, replaceable rings, S/M: 170mm Others: 175mm

BOTTOM BRACKET: Shimano, Octalink spline, cartridge bearing, 73mm

RIMS: Custom DT Swiss 445D, alloy disc, double-wall, pin joint, eyelets, 24mm, 28/32h

FRONT HUB: Specialized Hi Lo disc, loose ball, machined disc, QR, 28h

REAR HUB: Specialized Hi Lo disc, double-sealed cartridge bearing, QR, 32h

SADDLE: Specialized Body Geometry Riva, 143mm width

SEATPOST: 6061 alloy, 2-bolt micro adjust, setback head, 30.9mm, S/M:350mm, Others:400mm

SEAT BINDER: 34.9mm clamp ID, 7050 hard anodized alloy collar w/ QR, black

 

Thank you all in advance

[nuge]

i'd change that anodised alloy seat binder to carbon, but keep it black

 

otherwise good to go

[covie]

I am investigating the posibility of either upgrading my current setup or purchasing a new bike. I have recently over the past year become very comfortable with my Specialized Camber Comp and would prefer to keep the bike but make some upgrades. I was hoping to gather some feedback, opinions and advice from the forum as to what should be upgraded and what it should be upgraded to. I am a big AM rider and like to keep it that way with the upgrading of my bike.

 

REAR SHOCK: RockShox Ario RL, air spring, rebound adj. and LO, 200x51mm

FORK: RockShox Recon Silver TK, TurnKey damper, Solo Air, alloy steerer, LO and reb adj., disc only, 120mm travel

HEADSET: 1-1/8" upper and lower, Campy-style cartridge bearings for integrated alloy HT

STEM: Specialized XC, 3D forged alloy, 4-bolt, 31.8mm clamp, adjustable rise, S: 60mm, M: 75, L:90, XL:105mm

HANDLEBARS: Specialized All-Mountain low-rise, 6061 butted alloy, 720mm wide, 8º backsweep, 6º upsweep, 31.8mm

FRONT BRAKE: Tektro Draco, hydraulic disc, ceramic pad compound, Light Wave rotor S/M:180mm rotor, Others: 203mm rotor

REAR BRAKE: Tektro Draco, hydraulic disc, ceramic pad compound, Light Wave rotor S/M:160mm rotor, Others: 180mm rotor

BRAKE LEVERS: Tektro Draco hydraulic

FRONT DERAILLEUR: Shimano SLX M660E, E-type for DMD, top-swing, bottom-pull

REAR DERAILLEUR: Shimano SLX Shadow M662, 9-speed, SGS long cage

SHIFT LEVERS: Shimano Alivio M430, 9-speed, trigger

CASSETTE: Shimano HG20 9-speed, 11-34t,

CHAIN: KMC X-9, 9-speed, reusable Missing Link

CRANKSET: Shimano Alivio, Octalink spline, 44/32/22, replaceable rings, S/M: 170mm Others: 175mm

BOTTOM BRACKET: Shimano, Octalink spline, cartridge bearing, 73mm

RIMS: Custom DT Swiss 445D, alloy disc, double-wall, pin joint, eyelets, 24mm, 28/32h

FRONT HUB: Specialized Hi Lo disc, loose ball, machined disc, QR, 28h

REAR HUB: Specialized Hi Lo disc, double-sealed cartridge bearing, QR, 32h

SADDLE: Specialized Body Geometry Riva, 143mm width

SEATPOST: 6061 alloy, 2-bolt micro adjust, setback head, 30.9mm, S/M:350mm, Others:400mm

SEAT BINDER: 34.9mm clamp ID, 7050 hard anodized alloy collar w/ QR, black

 

Thank you all in advance

 

Upgrading is going to cost you a bundle it really is the lowest spec components they could find, so look at it this way xt groupo about 9k, decent shock 4.5k, decent wheelset 5-6k,

 

Makes more sense to sell that one and use the upgrade money to buy a higher spec bike, as upgrading a bike is the expensive route, buying a decent spec'd bike is the cheaper route.

[gwhite]

Upgrading is going to cost you a bundle it really is the lowest spec components they could find, so look at it this way xt groupo about 9k, decent shock 4.5k, decent wheelset 5-6k,

 

Makes more sense to sell that one and use the upgrade money to buy a higher spec bike, as upgrading a bike is the expensive route, buying a decent spec'd bike is the cheaper route.

 

I understand, rather upsetting realising that they assembled this bike with the lowest spec components they could find!

Selling this bike would be an option but how much would do you reckon I could get for this bike?

[covie]

I understand, rather upsetting realising that they assembled this bike with the lowest spec components they could find!

Selling this bike would be an option but how much would do you reckon I could get for this bike?

 

you are still in a position to upgrade if you want too the frame is worth the investment in upgrading, but its your choice on how much money you want to spend. And not sure what the resale value of that one will be maybe check the classifieds to see if you can get a guiding price.

[gwhite]

you are still in a position to upgrade if you want too the frame is worth the investment in upgrading, but its your choice on how much money you want to spend. And not sure what the resale value of that one will be maybe check the classifieds to see if you can get a guiding price.

 

I was hoping to be in that position yes, keeping the frame and gradually upgrading the components as I go along or in one go

[covie]

I was hoping to be in that position yes, keeping the frame and gradually upgrading the components as I go along or in one go

 

Yup depends what you want from the bike and how long your going to ride it, amongst other things, I basically bought a fairly expensive bike becuase i liked the frame, at the price range most other bikes come with high end components, I knew when i bought the bike what i wanted to upgrade and i know it woudl turn out more expensive than just outright buying the top of line model. But i know what i like on my bikes and the stock parts were not what i wanted anyway, so all i am doing now is upgrading as i go along, already did the fork and brakes, so next in line is the wheelset and then the drivetrain, but the components i have are not too bad and i am riding their usefull life out of them and then upgrading as they break.

[wesley_r]

gwhite and I were chatting on PM, and I suggested to him that if he's enjoying his AM riding and wants to push in that direction, he's eventually going to find the limits of the 120mm travel Camber. My suggestion was to sell and buy something with a better spec, but 140mm of travel (pref. with a through axle as well).

 

I just think that's the more cost effective option.

[gwhite]

gwhite and I were chatting on PM, and I suggested to him that if he's enjoying his AM riding and wants to push in that direction, he's eventually going to find the limits of the 120mm travel Camber. My suggestion was to sell and buy something with a better spec, but 140mm of travel (pref. with a through axle as well).

 

I just think that's the more cost effective option.

 

Thank you and yes I am open to more suggestions and advice on this matter

[RiderX]

gwhite and I were chatting on PM, and I suggested to him that if he's enjoying his AM riding and wants to push in that direction, he's eventually going to find the limits of the 120mm travel Camber. My suggestion was to sell and buy something with a better spec, but 140mm of travel (pref. with a through axle as well).

 

I just think that's the more cost effective option.

 

This is a very good idea. A decent 140mm travel setup can still be a very good climbing machine and not too heavy.

 

But maybe its best to first ask what exactly do you want to achieve with the upgrade? Is it to get your bike lighter or do you want a bike that is stronger and can take bigger hits?

[Hairy]

Fork 'n wheels, if budget can stretch then brakes too. Drive train components you replace when they eventually wear out.

 

Seriously, upgrading the fork as a start will make a big difference. Something you can properly adjust the +and- spring rate on with a good rebound and compression adjustment ... yes I am talking about a Revelation here ... if you can get a through axel with your existing or a new set of wheels it would also be a good way to go.

[gwhite]

This is a very good idea. A decent 140mm travel setup can still be a very good climbing machine and not too heavy.

 

But maybe its best to first ask what exactly do you want to achieve with the upgrade? Is it to get your bike lighter or do you want a bike that is stronger and can take bigger hits?

 

I would like to achieve a bike that can handle some jumps but I can also use for those weekend cycles that last for hours and sometimes days. Weight is not really an issue for me but I don't want a dead body like weight that I need to haul up the trails haha!

[gwhite]

Fork 'n wheels, if budget can stretch then brakes too. Drive train components you replace when they eventually wear out.

 

Seriously, upgrading the fork as a start will make a big difference. Something you can properly adjust the +and- spring rate on with a good rebound and compression adjustment ... yes I am talking about a Revelation here ... if you can get a through axel with your existing or a new set of wheels it would also be a good way to go.

 

I understand... with the Revelation shock I would need to purchase a new set of wheels as mine are currently the QS system. I have read that Fox shox can be difficult as supposed to Rock Shox, is that correct?

[Hairy]

I would like to achieve a bike that can handle some jumps but I can also use for those weekend cycles that last for hours and sometimes days. Weight is not really an issue for me but I don't want a dead body like weight that I need to haul up the trails haha!

 

There are some really good pedaling and light weight bikes out there. Case in point, and a bike that would have a similar feel to the Camber, would be a bike like the 140mm travel Stumpies.

 

Given the 29'er craze, you should be able to find a really good deal on a second hand or one season old bike in an LBS somewhere .....

[Hairy]

I understand... with the Revelation shock I would need to purchase a new set of wheels as mine are currently the QS system. I have read that Fox shox can be difficult as supposed to Rock Shox, is that correct?

 

I have had both and if you look after both the forks they will serve you well. I just like the feel of the Revelation though.

 

You can get a revelation in 9mm QR still and would probably get it for a good deal too.

[gwhite]

There are some really good pedaling and light weight bikes out there. Case in point, and a bike that would have a similar feel to the Camber, would be a bike like the 140mm travel Stumpies.

 

Given the 29'er craze, you should be able to find a really good deal on a second hand or one season old bike in an LBS somewhere .....

 

I am happy with my Camber but I know its limited when it comes to certain bigger jumps and I can feel it bottom out!

 

I was also looking at the following Nukeproof:

http://www.nukeproof.com/en/somplete-bikes/mega-am-comp

 

What do you think?