tjax

So I pulled the trigger and purchased a 29er. I have a road bike and a hybrid, and have always wanted a 29er, but knew I would use it the least. So this weekend I went to a big tent discontinued bike sale, and purchased a 2013 Trek Wahoo 29er for $425. The price was right, and I always wanted one.

I purchased the bike on a whim, and knew that the bike only has mechanical disk brakes, and no lockout on the fork. So after much research I still can't figure out which reasonably priced hydraulic brakes and fork to get for this bike, so I thought I would ask you guys, the Mtn bike experts. So I put a few of my questions below.

1.) Should I replace the fork? Only reason I want to do so is to get a lockout feature. However many people state that they never even use lockout, is it something I should be dead set on getting? If not, I may forego the new fork purchase.

2.) What kind of Hydraulic brakes should I get? Can I install them myself? Are they hard to install? Where should I buy them from?

I know that many of you would prefer to have spent $1000 plus on a 29er, however I did that with my road and hybrid bike. So keep in mind that I would like the costs to be in line with how much I paid on the bike (I don't need a $750 fork).

All advise is greatly appreciated.

MileHighMark

1. Will you install the new fork yourself? If not, factor installation cost into the fork's price. Personally, I wouldn't change the fork just to gain lock out. Disclaimer: I ride a fully-rigid 29er.

2. Some brakes are easier to install than other brakes. If you don't have to shorten the hoses and/or bleed the brakes, they're not that difficult to install. If you shop around you can find good deals on overstock or older models/versions.

merlinextraligh

Mechanical disc brakes work fine.

As for the lockout feature, I've rarely bothered to use it, and wouldn't find the absence of it to be a big deal.

You can easily spend as much as the bike cost you on making these 2 changes. I'd either ride what I bought as is, or return it, and buy a bike with those features in the $800-1000 range, which is what your going to end up at total anyway.

Zephyr11

Most likely, the fork on the Wahoo isn't great, but it's not worth it to "upgrade" to a fork that's probably no better for lockout. The lockout on cheap forks never works all that great anyway, and more expensive forks are good enough that you don't lose much power to pedaling. I don't think I'd recommend going much cheaper than a Recon. Something like this: RockShox Recon Gold TK Solo Air - 29" - 1.5" 2012 | Chain Reaction Cycles or RockShox Recon Silver TK Solo Air 29" Forks 2013 | Chain Reaction Cycles Make sure it will fit your steerer tube and front hub (unless you want to buy a new front wheel...you can buy a hub and build, but that'll probably be even more expensive). FWIW, I have a non-lockout Pike on my hardtail and I don't miss it, and I never use the lockout on my full-suspension.

I like hydraulic brakes, but give the mechs a try first. You may find that they work fine for your purposes. If they're pre-bled and the hoses fit without cutting them, they're easy to install. Otherwise you may have to bleed them first.

Canker

Yeah if the mechanical brakes on it now give you problems then the upgrade I'd make is to BB5s or BB7s mechanical brakes. It would be cheap and they are damn good.

As for the fork no I never use the lock out. I don't ride it on the road and that is really the only time I'd find it use full. I assume you have a suntour fork since most lowend bikes come with those. Suntour has an upgrade program and you can get a decent air fork for fairly cheap through it, well sometimes.
SR Suntour North America | SR Suntour Customer Loyalty Upgrade Program
I'd probably take a recon silver over the Raidon XC LO R for the same price.

1speeder

Ride the bike, when something breaks or if you are not happy with the performance, then think about replacing. A top end fork will cost you double of what you paid for your bike. I too, don't like to fiddle with locking out the fork/suspension. But, I'm old school and stubborn in my ways. Nothing wrong with a good mechanical brakes, in fact, I love the BB7, they always stop well Period.


Mike

rob!

I've set up mechanical discs better than some hydraulics I've used. No need to go hydraulic.

Lockout is also a nice but unnecessary feature. I have it and almost never use it, and most of the time when I do use it I forget to "unlock" it by the top of the climb and wonder why my fork feels like crap on the way back down.

Ride your bike and rack up the miles. Instead of investing heavily into this brand new bike, save up for something nicer later as a reward for all the miles you've done.

seat_boy

They should be able to do a warranty repair or replacement on just the brakes if they were actually faulty.

Ldosorio

Enjoy your Xcaliber 8 !

gtrdave

Congrats on your new/better 29er. Now go ride!

tjax

True, but I failed to mention the frame was also to big. This is what I get for always being in these forms on my phone. Lacking pertinent information.