MyMonkey

Thanks to all that provided input. I found a deal locally on a used 08 Giant XTC2. In good shape from what I can tell. Bit dirty here and there of course. Now I just need to hit the trails.







It just seemed to fit me well. Large size frame at 20 inches. Can't wait to try some of the easy trails around here in OKC.

Any idea what I should consider as my first upgrade?

zeo_max

Nice. I love hardtails.

On another note. I just can't understand why people buy a nice bike and inmediately wanna upgrade stuff. It's nice as it is. Save your money.

G-Monkey

Maybe a new chain...looks a little rusty.

MyMonkey

I think you are correct. After I posted that I thought to myself "Why?" Other than maintenance items such as a rusty chain. Hoping that is just red dirt though.

Lebowski

clipless pedals (if thats your thing)

some lube for that chain

ed 

You just bought it...what the crap U need to upgrade? If you bought it to upgrade it...why not just buy something better?

Some people just get into hobbies just to "accessorize".

Oh ghey.

MyMonkey

Hmmm... See post above for my anticipatory repudiation to your reply.

ed 

I just wanted to be redundant

The most important thing to me may not be what's important to you. On a hardtail, a good fork is essential for me to be content. Next comes a beefy stiff crankset that won't flex when I pedal my 190-200lbs on it. I can't stand to have my chain rub on the frt derailleur. The next thing following these would be a good quality wheelset that is either "hand built" or has a 2yr crash replacement warranty. (depends what kinda riding i'm gonna do widdit and which bike I'm on)

The last thing I upgrade seems to be derailleurs, gears, chain, and shifters. Shifters now days are light years ahead of what I started on back in the mid-90's...so I'm happy with LX level shifters. One day I may bump back up to XT level shifters, but I've been using my LX 9spd shifter since I bought my 2005 Fisher HKEK and it's been fabulous.

Rear Derailleur, cassette, chain, chainrings are "consumables". RD b/c it seems my pivot bolt or parallelogram linkage begin to lose rigidity over time and cause shifting issues.

Yotsko

Sometimes when grown-ups go shopping they have something specific in mind. If they can't find an exact match they get the next closest thing and change it.

WannaGetGood

Have fun on that man. Looks like a nice bike, hope you ride it hard!

MyMonkey

Thanks. Very informative. However, I sure hope my 280 pounds don't overload my cranks.

Pocko

Looks like just red dirt on your chain. You can see the stuff on the plastic derailleur wheels and the alloy derailleur too. If it is, chain just needs a good clean and a fresh lube.

Nice bike, my brother-in-law has the same model. Good value for money that...

.

ed 

Upgrade to this:


Finish Line Chain cleaning kit. Clean and lube your chain often and your drivetrain will last a long time.

Finish Line backs theirs up with a lifetime warranty...I've collected on it.

-_RebelRidin'_-

What lifetime warranty have you NOT collected on? lol.

You should dub yourself "The Collector"

Captain Jake

the spin doctor is more fun looking

ed 

A.K.A. Guido

Pocko

I've never used those chain cleaner thingy-thingies. I've got old habits that are hard to break from the o'l motorbike days... in the odd occasion where I really have to, I wash chains in a tub of turps with a scrubbing brush, wiped then dried over night. I re-cycle the turps by storing it in a jar. By the time I need it for the next clean, it's perfectly clear again with all crud forming a sediment at the bottom.

I've been using Finishline dry teflon lube though, for about ten years since I first tried it... won't touch anything else, for now anyways...

.

Pocko

Guido, the resident upgrade pimp-o-maniac?


Just kidding

ed 

Guido works for Brando

MyMonkey

Just ordered the finish line chain cleaning kit. They did not have that at the LBS I was in yesterday. Picked up a can of Simple Green bike cleaner though. Thanks for all the replys.

ed 

Simple Green...spray foam?

When you run out of Finish Line degreaser for the chain cleaner...buy yourself a gallon jug of Simple Green. Works great and much cheaper.

Finish Line Red lube works great for most conditions that I've been in. Grn lube is okay for wet, but I prefer a can of TriFlow for wet riding.




Clean and lube after "every trail ride" or every few urban rides.

DaJMasta

The only time I've had a little bit of rust build up... a lube and a few trips riding have gotten rid of all of it. Unless it's very rusted, yours doesn't look too bad, I don't know if you really need the chain cleaner.

Lebowski

i use a generic chain scrubber with park tool citrus chain degreaser
i wipe it with a generic rag
lube it up with Remington remoil (teflon/silicon)

Bikernator

OKC, eh?? If you get around to riding the trails in the area, fill me in on how they are.. There are 4 trails up here in stillwater at lake mcmurtry that are pretty cool, i see people from all over out there.. check out okearthbike.com for some info on other trails in the state.. im assuming you're new to this, btw; if you're not and just got a new bike, i don't mean to sound belittling or anything... i got my rincon for a good price in OKC a couple months ago, too..

victim

Looks good. Maybe protect the drive side chain stay with an old tube or a Lizard Skin thingy. Other than that lube like everyone already said and ride it like you stole it.