Titan Rougue - Upgrades - Advice wanted

[Bryan84]

Hi Everyone,

I am new to cycling, however, my son has really gotten into into mountain biking at he's school and I have now purchased a second hand Titan Rougue Ryder 29'er for myself so that we can ride together. The bike does require a bit of TLC but I got it for next to nothing and my son and I are keen on the project.

I want to get some opinions and ideas of what the best upgrades might be that I can do to the bike that would improve the ride?

I do plan on doing a tubeless conversion later, but want to get the bike running smoothly first. 

The bike currently has 3x8 gear ratio, and my son recons I should upgrade this to 1 Infront and 10 or 11 at the back. The cassettes are worn so I might consider if it is feasible. 

Also want to take the bike to our local tech to do a proper service before I plan any riding.

Thanks in advance for the input and advice

 

 

 

Edited Friday at 02:02 PM by Bryan84
Added photos

[Lynskey]

It is always best to supply pictures. Then we can see what you have and the available options and costs. While some may know what it is the greater community are probably a lot more visual. 

[RobynE 🚵‍♀️]

You can currently get pretty good 10 speed stuff at great prices. If it’s 2x10 you can just leave the front derailleur off and run a narrow wide chainring up front which will help with chain retention.

Assuming it’s currently Shimano you will have a hyperglide freehub body which will support up to 11 speed in Shimano original stuff or up to 12 speed using an aftermarket cassette. 

So you will need a shifter, rear derailleur, cassette and chain. If your brake levers are currently integrated with the gear shifters you may need a remedy around that ie either new shifters or new brakes. Then you will need a chain ring and perhaps a new crank set depending on what is on there now. If you go 10 speed a slightly bigger chain ring will help you with some top end stuff. Smaller chain ring will give you better climbing ability. 

All very doable for not much money.

Stick to Shimano or SRAM for the best shifting (versus Microshift, L Twoo etc). And within Shimano and SRAM there are levels. SLX and XT are great in Shimano and GX in SRAM. 

[JoeMerida]

Take it to a bike Shop for a Quote to upgrade to 1X11 

Looks Like you Have Cable Brakes Get a quote on that too.

Be Prepared to be Shocked 

[thebob]

Ride the bike as is. I would not put any money into it. Save up for something nicer

[ChrisF]

Bryan note the combined brakes and gear shifters.

 

Any upgrade will impact both the gears and the brakes.  If you have to buy all the bits .....

 

The 8 speed .... possibly a gear cluster.  In which case you will be spending way too much on the wheel to be able to use a 10 or 11 speed cassette.

 

the upgrade will quickly cost more than a better spec new entry level bike.

 

 

Ride as is.

 

Sure, do a tubeless conversion, or at least tubes with sealant in it.  Other than that, just enjoy it as an entry level bike.

 

If the bug bites, you will be buying a nice bike sooner rather than later.

Edited Friday at 04:26 PM by ChrisF

[RobynE 🚵‍♀️]

I can’t see clearly but that is already a 10 speed SRAM derailleur on there already. Does it have a model number? 

The fork is a Suntour XCR32 which is flippen heavy but hey if it works. An air fork would be nicer. 

The brakes will need to be remedied which will mean a different set (non-integrated) and you may as well go hydraulic. 

You’d probably be looking at around 5-7k to turn it into something decent, more if you change the fork, if you do it all yourself. 

[Eugene]

As a new rider, I wouldn't spend anything on upgrades until you get some more experience and are able to feel and understand what upgrades would suit you. 

If the cassette is worn, then you could consider the 1 x route, however, you'll need to replace the shifter, chain and chain ring and maybe rear derailleur. Youll need new brake levers too. 

Can you see where this is going? 

If you buy new brake levers, you may as well get a set of used hydraulic brakes. Suddenly, you have spent more money on the bike than what it cost to buy.