Specialised Rockhopper - with Vs or discs....?
Discussion
There's £100 in it, which I'm not worried about.
Discs seem attractive as they feel better, are sexy, if that's possible on a bike and very powerful
V's seem attractive as they're not going to go wrong on a weekend in Wales and the bike will be a shade lighter, plus I've always had V's and don't get into enough mud to have had much problem with them.
I don't do anything terribly technical, but do enjoy a good ride.
I've chosen the bike, am just stuck on 's or discs. What do you reckon I should go for?
Discs seem attractive as they feel better, are sexy, if that's possible on a bike and very powerful
V's seem attractive as they're not going to go wrong on a weekend in Wales and the bike will be a shade lighter, plus I've always had V's and don't get into enough mud to have had much problem with them.
I don't do anything terribly technical, but do enjoy a good ride.
I've chosen the bike, am just stuck on 's or discs. What do you reckon I should go for?
Had a few scary times on 'V's, wearing the pads out during muddy rides.
But as you say you 'don't get into enough mud to have had much of a problem with them', unless you plan on getting a little 'dirtier', why not stick with what you know.
Now just don't go out and test ride a bike with hydraulic discs!!!!!!
If you do, you'll dismiss everything I've just said.
But as you say you 'don't get into enough mud to have had much of a problem with them', unless you plan on getting a little 'dirtier', why not stick with what you know.
Now just don't go out and test ride a bike with hydraulic discs!!!!!!
If you do, you'll dismiss everything I've just said.
What discs come with the bike for the extra £100?
Might be worth buying it with Vs and getting a set of Shimano Deore brakes assuming the wheels are disc compatible and the bike comes with separate shifters. Deores are only about £50 or £60 each so pretty much the same as your upgrade price. Then chuck the Vs on ebay and you'll be quids in
I've converted quite a few people to Shimano brakes and they don't go back (eh Neil?
)
Might be worth buying it with Vs and getting a set of Shimano Deore brakes assuming the wheels are disc compatible and the bike comes with separate shifters. Deores are only about £50 or £60 each so pretty much the same as your upgrade price. Then chuck the Vs on ebay and you'll be quids in
I've converted quite a few people to Shimano brakes and they don't go back (eh Neil?
)I always reckoned V's were good enough until last winter when on a fairly mucky wet ride, I found myself pulling on them pretty hard and not a great deal happening. Had a quick spin on my friends disc shod bike and the difference was huge, they still had full braking power and good control. If I were in the market for a new bike discs it would have to be.
I can't remember the exact spec of the 2, forgive me if Im wrong. The Discs supplied are Hayes Soles right?
If the No disc comes with Disc ready hubs, but that, and buy a full set of preblde Shimano Deore M555 brakes (or even Lx, I think theres some deals about on full sets) These are cracking brakes. I have the Full DH spec (big rotors, braided hoses etc) £130 an end Saint brakes on my DH bike, and the Cheaper LX ones on my other bike are 90% as good.
If the non-disc bike does not have disc compatible hubs, then dont buy it, get the version with Hayes.
It will cost you at least double to upgrade in the future if you need new wheels aswell.
The Hayes brakes are good, but not as good as the Shimanos.
Both are infinitely better than V brakes.
If the No disc comes with Disc ready hubs, but that, and buy a full set of preblde Shimano Deore M555 brakes (or even Lx, I think theres some deals about on full sets) These are cracking brakes. I have the Full DH spec (big rotors, braided hoses etc) £130 an end Saint brakes on my DH bike, and the Cheaper LX ones on my other bike are 90% as good.
If the non-disc bike does not have disc compatible hubs, then dont buy it, get the version with Hayes.
It will cost you at least double to upgrade in the future if you need new wheels aswell.
The Hayes brakes are good, but not as good as the Shimanos.
Both are infinitely better than V brakes.
I bought a Rockhopper comp earlier this year. The disc brakes on it are Avid Juicy 3s. I think they are well worth the extra £100. I had never used discs before and WOW what a difference. I use my bike for commuting mostly, and the offroad stuff I do isn't extreme, but I am a definite convert.
CIS121 said:
There's £100 in it, which I'm not worried about.
Discs seem attractive as they feel better, are sexy, if that's possible on a bike and very powerful
V's seem attractive as they're not going to go wrong on a weekend in Wales and the bike will be a shade lighter, plus I've always had V's and don't get into enough mud to have had much problem with them.
I don't do anything terribly technical, but do enjoy a good ride.
I've chosen the bike, am just stuck on 's or discs. What do you reckon I should go for?
If you are interested, I have a Rockhopper Comp Disc, from 2004 for sale. Was going to ebay it this week end, but couldnt find the allen key to straighten the head set up and take the photos.Discs seem attractive as they feel better, are sexy, if that's possible on a bike and very powerful
V's seem attractive as they're not going to go wrong on a weekend in Wales and the bike will be a shade lighter, plus I've always had V's and don't get into enough mud to have had much problem with them.
I don't do anything terribly technical, but do enjoy a good ride.
I've chosen the bike, am just stuck on 's or discs. What do you reckon I should go for?
I have not used it for over two years now, and being a fully qualified roadie and not having the time to ride it, its a shame to have it sitting in the shed not being used.
Let me know if you are interested and Ill send over some more details.
John
snotrag said:
In that case get the Disc version. The Juicy 3's should perform aswell as the 5's, as I think the difference is mainly weight saving.
Good brakes.
What he said.Good brakes.
I have the Juicy 5's on my Specialized Hardrock and they are excellent, I think the 3's are virtually the same. It'll cost more than £100 to upgrade V brakes to good discs even if the hubs are compatible and at least some of the V braked specialized bikes don't have disc hubs.
Thanks for all the advice folks. I've gone for the discs and have just collected the bike - very impressive compared to my 10 year old GT Karakorum.
I wonder how much bike technology will have moved on when I come to replace this in 8-10 years!
If anyone's interested Evans cycles amongst others have recently dropped the price of the 07 model to £550 and I wangled a £40 saddle upgrade thrown in as well. The stock saddle was like sitting on a piece of cement even after 5 mins of test ride.
Right, all I need to do now is wait until summer (08) for some great weather....
I wonder how much bike technology will have moved on when I come to replace this in 8-10 years!
If anyone's interested Evans cycles amongst others have recently dropped the price of the 07 model to £550 and I wangled a £40 saddle upgrade thrown in as well. The stock saddle was like sitting on a piece of cement even after 5 mins of test ride.
Right, all I need to do now is wait until summer (08) for some great weather....
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