New rider with questions

Nicholas_Clemson
Hello, everyone!

I am fairly new to the sport but have really come to love it! I have a rockhopper sport that i am looking to upgrade parts on. I am having a hard time finding wheel sets that are comparable with the 9x135mm QR rear and 9x100mm QR front. I have been able to find forks that are 9x100mm easily but i do not what to buy anything until i purchase a wheel set. Thank you!
|
mtbman99 1/27/2022 8:18am
1/27/2022 8:18am
If you are buying a new wheelset and a fork I would suggest going to a boost (15/110) front wheel and fork. You will end up with a significantly better riding bike with more options.

For a rear wheel some 142/12 have adapter kits to get them to run in a 9/135 rear wheel. You might have to spend a bit more but you will have a wheelset that you can make work for most modern bikes with some adapters. IF you can get some sort of bolt on axle to stiffen up the rear end of bike as well.

I suspect your budget is pretty tight but if you can spend a bit more it will probably save you in the long run.
2
Nicholas_Clemson 1/27/2022 8:54am
1/27/2022 8:54am
Thank you! I am now seeing wheels that sell conversions that would fit the QR. I am looking at the Nukeproof horizon V2 and they offer the component to make 15x100 compatible on the 9mm QR. I would then just have to make sure i purchase a 15x100 fork correct?
mtbman99 1/27/2022 10:02am
1/27/2022 10:02am
Nicholas_Clemson wrote:
Thank you! I am now seeing wheels that sell conversions that would fit the QR. I am looking at the Nukeproof horizon V2 and they offer...
Thank you! I am now seeing wheels that sell conversions that would fit the QR. I am looking at the Nukeproof horizon V2 and they offer the component to make 15x100 compatible on the 9mm QR. I would then just have to make sure i purchase a 15x100 fork correct?
Correct.
Nicholas_Clemson 1/27/2022 10:14am
1/27/2022 10:14am
mtbman99 wrote:
Correct.
Now seeing that most 100mm travel by 15x100 forks are tapered is there anyway to convert a straight steer tube to tapered?
TEAMROBOT
Profile picture for user TEAMROBOT
Posts
1403
Joined
9/2/2009
Location
Los Angeles, CA US
Fantasy
645th
TEAMROBOT 1/27/2022 10:21am
1/27/2022 10:21am
What size wheel are we talking here? 26" or something else?
TEAMROBOT
Profile picture for user TEAMROBOT
Posts
1403
Joined
9/2/2009
Location
Los Angeles, CA US
Fantasy
645th
TEAMROBOT 1/27/2022 11:42am
1/27/2022 11:42am
I would definitely look into buying used parts for your hardtail. A Rockhopper Sport retails for around $900, so it doesn't make a ton of sense to put a new $500 wheelset and a $500 fork on there.

Buying lightly used stuff means you save 50% or more off the price of new parts while getting almost-new quality stuff. The buy/sell section on "the other MTB site" is incredibly helpful and allows you to sort for wheel size, axle spacing, and more when you're looking through parts. As long as you're not buying a "mechanic's special" dumpster fire, you're probably not going to notice the difference between a new wheel and a mostly new wheel. I've been riding for 20 years and I buy used all the time.
3
Nicholas_Clemson 1/27/2022 11:48am
1/27/2022 11:48am
TEAMROBOT wrote:
I would definitely look into buying used parts for your hardtail. A Rockhopper Sport retails for around $900, so it doesn't make a ton of sense...
I would definitely look into buying used parts for your hardtail. A Rockhopper Sport retails for around $900, so it doesn't make a ton of sense to put a new $500 wheelset and a $500 fork on there.

Buying lightly used stuff means you save 50% or more off the price of new parts while getting almost-new quality stuff. The buy/sell section on "the other MTB site" is incredibly helpful and allows you to sort for wheel size, axle spacing, and more when you're looking through parts. As long as you're not buying a "mechanic's special" dumpster fire, you're probably not going to notice the difference between a new wheel and a mostly new wheel. I've been riding for 20 years and I buy used all the time.
Thank you! I will look into the other mtb site now.
brash
Profile picture for user brash
Posts
947
Joined
4/24/2019
Location
AU
brash 1/27/2022 1:27pm
1/27/2022 1:27pm
mtbman99 wrote:
Correct.
Nicholas_Clemson wrote:
Now seeing that most 100mm travel by 15x100 forks are tapered is there anyway to convert a straight steer tube to tapered?
Sure is. There is a adapter that goes where a normal crown race does.
Losifer
Profile picture for user Losifer
Posts
407
Joined
9/12/2017
Location
Sandia Park, NM US
Fantasy
957th
Losifer 1/27/2022 2:09pm
1/27/2022 2:09pm
mtbman99 wrote:
Correct.
Nicholas_Clemson wrote:
Now seeing that most 100mm travel by 15x100 forks are tapered is there anyway to convert a straight steer tube to tapered?
brash wrote:
Sure is. There is a adapter that goes where a normal crown race does.
I think the OP is looking for a way to use a tapered steerer in a 1 1/8" headtube, which there isn't.

OP- Depending on where you are, you may want to look for a bicycle co-op. As TEAMROBOT said, finding good used stuff is the way to go.
Nicholas_Clemson 1/27/2022 3:10pm
1/27/2022 3:10pm
Losifer wrote:
I think the OP is looking for a way to use a tapered steerer in a 1 1/8" headtube, which there isn't. OP- Depending on where...
I think the OP is looking for a way to use a tapered steerer in a 1 1/8" headtube, which there isn't.

OP- Depending on where you are, you may want to look for a bicycle co-op. As TEAMROBOT said, finding good used stuff is the way to go.
After doing research would I not be able to use a cane creek or wolftooth EC44/40 to be able to use tapered forks?
metadave
Profile picture for user metadave
Posts
1247
Joined
2/15/2016
Location
Revelstoke, BC CA
Fantasy
1102nd
metadave 1/27/2022 5:05pm
1/27/2022 5:05pm Edited Date/Time 1/27/2022 5:15pm
Losifer wrote:
I think the OP is looking for a way to use a tapered steerer in a 1 1/8" headtube, which there isn't. OP- Depending on where...
I think the OP is looking for a way to use a tapered steerer in a 1 1/8" headtube, which there isn't.

OP- Depending on where you are, you may want to look for a bicycle co-op. As TEAMROBOT said, finding good used stuff is the way to go.
Nicholas_Clemson wrote:
After doing research would I not be able to use a cane creek or wolftooth EC44/40 to be able to use tapered forks?
What year is the bike or can you post a photo? If its a newer frame, then yes a different lower headset cup or even a different bearing race will likely allow you to run a tapered fork.

This is my only suggestion on upgrading an entry level bike being someone whos worked in shops for 20 years. The Rockhopper is a fantastic entry level bike, but when buying individual parts at that price point, you can quickly end up doubling or tripling the original price of the bike, but only bumping the resale value of the bike up maybe 2-300$ because, well, its still a 900$ bike in peoples eyes when its for sale no matter the upgrades. If you're about to make a 900$ bike a 2000$ bike, perhaps look into selling it as it for a decent price and using that and the other money you were going to spend on two components on getting a great set up like a Giant Fathom 29, a Specialized Chisel, Trek Roscoe or similar hardtail that's going to give you a complete package for only a little bit more. Then you get a better drivetrain, wheels, fork, possibly brakes and a frame thats going to support your new riding habit for a few more years. If you really get into it you'll out grow the abilities of the rock hopper in short order.

It's a big step, but it can be a smarter one. Especially since a Fathom 29 2 is 1500$ and having ridden one, its a damn good time for the money. Deore 12 speed, a very underrated 130mm Giant crest fork, a dropper post and proper Maxxis tires.

2
Losifer
Profile picture for user Losifer
Posts
407
Joined
9/12/2017
Location
Sandia Park, NM US
Fantasy
957th
Losifer 1/27/2022 5:08pm
1/27/2022 5:08pm
Is the Rockhopper a 44mm headtube? If so, that could work.
But again, you’re adding to the expense on your current bike.
Nicholas_Clemson 1/27/2022 9:05pm
1/27/2022 9:05pm
metadave wrote:
What year is the bike or can you post a photo? If its a newer frame, then yes a different lower headset cup or even a...
What year is the bike or can you post a photo? If its a newer frame, then yes a different lower headset cup or even a different bearing race will likely allow you to run a tapered fork.

This is my only suggestion on upgrading an entry level bike being someone whos worked in shops for 20 years. The Rockhopper is a fantastic entry level bike, but when buying individual parts at that price point, you can quickly end up doubling or tripling the original price of the bike, but only bumping the resale value of the bike up maybe 2-300$ because, well, its still a 900$ bike in peoples eyes when its for sale no matter the upgrades. If you're about to make a 900$ bike a 2000$ bike, perhaps look into selling it as it for a decent price and using that and the other money you were going to spend on two components on getting a great set up like a Giant Fathom 29, a Specialized Chisel, Trek Roscoe or similar hardtail that's going to give you a complete package for only a little bit more. Then you get a better drivetrain, wheels, fork, possibly brakes and a frame thats going to support your new riding habit for a few more years. If you really get into it you'll out grow the abilities of the rock hopper in short order.

It's a big step, but it can be a smarter one. Especially since a Fathom 29 2 is 1500$ and having ridden one, its a damn good time for the money. Deore 12 speed, a very underrated 130mm Giant crest fork, a dropper post and proper Maxxis tires.

It is a 2021. I want to upgrade it to learn more about bikes and increase performance. I am not worried about resale as i would most likely give it to my wife when it is time for me to truly buy a new bike.

Post a reply to: New rider with questions