Bikes.
Printed From: Tippmann Paintball
Category: News And Views
Forum Name: Thoughts and Opinions
Forum Description: Got something you need to say?
URL: http://www.tippmannsports.com/forum/wwf77a/forum_posts.asp?TID=175107
Printed Date: 04 December 2025 at 5:25pm
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 12.04 - http://www.webwizforums.com
Topic: Bikes.
Posted By: WGP guy2
Subject: Bikes.
Date Posted: 26 April 2008 at 6:31pm
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Got around to pulling mine out today. I just bought a nice new Giro helmet and road a short 9 miles to the lake. Then I got to thinking: I've had this bike for 4 years, a trek 3700. One big thing I noticed when riding today was that my brakes sucked. I have generally been disappointed in v-brakes and quite like my friend's disc brakes on his bike. I also think it might be good to upgrade my shifters and derailers as well as replace my rusted cables and chain. I've had trouble in the past with my bike not shifting into the extremes of the gears and generally acting unresponsive, which could be somewhat fixed by adjusting the shifters and derailers but I think an upgrade is in order. Now, I'm wondering if it would be better to buy a new bike, something like a Trek Fuel or Fuel EX. Since I'm going to college next year I suspect a lot of bike riding will happen, and I'd like to have something up to the job. I prefer mountain biking (even used to have a course with ladder bridges in all in my back yard) so something with full suspension would be great. Fuel EX 9.5:  ? |
Replies:
Posted By: choopie911
Date Posted: 26 April 2008 at 6:36pm
| We get it, you ride bikes. |
Posted By: procarbinefreak
Date Posted: 26 April 2008 at 6:52pm
i have a trek 4300, it only has front suspension, but it's all i need... paid $460 for it at a bike expo |
Posted By: DeTrevni
Date Posted: 26 April 2008 at 6:56pm
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Chewp, I didn't lol... Anyway, I think it depends on the cost. If the cost of purchasing upgrades is less than buying a new bike, especially another Trek (how much better would a new frame be, because essentially, that's what you'd be paying for after the upgrade), then you might as well upgrade the bike you've got now. Treks are nice bikes, and it's always been my thing to build up something until it's JUST how you like it. More rewarding and personal, and sometimes is more cost-effective than buying an entirely new platform. Good luck either way. I've been wanting to build a bike for a long time, but every time I get a decent amount of cash, I blow it on paintball... Also: Invest in a good, long bike rope lock. Collegians like screwing with people who leave their bikes out, as I've seen from first-hand experience. It would suck to find your wheels gone when you walk out of class. Oh, *dérailleur ------------- Evil Elvis: "Detrevni is definally like a hillbilly hippy from hell" 
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Posted By: choopie911
Date Posted: 26 April 2008 at 7:00pm
| I used to have a sweet Raleigh that I won, but my sister ganked that and took it to Edmonton so I'm bike-less for now. I'm debating buying one for the summer though, I guess we'll see. |
Posted By: Shub
Date Posted: 26 April 2008 at 7:03pm
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I have a Trek 4500.
I think the brakes on mine are fine, disc brakes aren't necessary for the majority of bike riders. If you are really unhappy, you can get high end brake pads for less than $20 at a bike shop. The gear thing is a common problem as well. The derailleurs need adjusted after time, as the shift cables stretch from age and use. It's quite simple to do, and should only take you a few minutes. However, if you are hell bent on a new bike with full suspension, then go for it. Just realize that it's going to be EXPENSIVE. |
Posted By: WGP guy2
Date Posted: 26 April 2008 at 7:14pm
| I'm still unsure. I can't remember what bike my friend has but it has full suspension and disc brakes and I really enjoy riding it. It's also a little bigger than mine but I don't know the size. Another thing on the top of my list is a new saddle, my crotch hurt after riding today. I plan to tune it up this week, use a little white lightning, and see how it turns out. |
Posted By: jmac3
Date Posted: 26 April 2008 at 8:28pm
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I need to buy a bike... I need to excercise more. I happen to hate gyms and running though. I love taking rides on a bike. Put on the ipod and drive. ------------- Que pasa? 
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Posted By: little devil
Date Posted: 26 April 2008 at 8:41pm
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Your brakes most likely just need a new dialing in. See what a local shop can do. Disc brakes are probably a nut and a leg(aftermarket) But yeah, I got in a good 6 hours today at the park on the old bmx. Not much can beat a good ride. |
Posted By: Roll Tide
Date Posted: 26 April 2008 at 8:43pm
Ditto. It's a great all-purpose bike. ------------- <Removed sig for violation of Clause 4 of the New Sig Rules> 
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Shub wrote:Posted By: WGP guy2
Date Posted: 26 April 2008 at 9:05pm
| The problem I have with the rim brakes is that my bike and I typically get covered in mud frequently when I ride it, and the brakes just don't work like they should. With disk brakes less surface area for mud to build up (plus it's not an inch from the ground) should help with that problem. Are there good pads I can get that will help me out here? |
Posted By: tallen702
Date Posted: 27 April 2008 at 12:05am
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Full suspension is a detriment unless you're only riding downhill. You lose a lot of your power from each stroke to the suspension, hence a lot of the newer mid-to-high end bikes have lock-outs on their forks (My specialized Rock Hopper for example has them) so that you can lock out the front fork to keep from losing part of the force from your downward strokes to the suspension. Disk brakes, however, are great but you'll still see fading if you ride in heavy mud, but not as much as standard calipers.
Personally I say upgrade. If your frame is still solid and you aren't doing a ton of down-hill single-track, then you really don't need a rear suspension. ------------- <Removed overly wide sig. Tsk, you know better.> |
Posted By: SSOK
Date Posted: 27 April 2008 at 12:12am
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I have a crappy mongoose LOL(although they're pretty decent low-end bikes, in the $300 range). Although last time I was riding on pavement I got horrendeous lower back pain. I dont know why, either. I'm in great shape from Lax hell, stretch, and never get that.. ------------- 
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Posted By: STOcocker
Date Posted: 27 April 2008 at 12:45am
Full suspension is a detriment if you are doing multi-grade riding, but I believe the Trek Fuel Ex series has a locking full suspension system on most of the models. One of my buddies is looking at a Fuel EX (can't remember model #), and that model even has an auto locking full suspension that locks when you pedal. That is a high dollar bike though. Basically, if you don't want to spend the high dollar for a locking full suspension, go for the hard tail like tallen suggested. Nothing is a better release than mountain biking. I love it. I say go for the investment. |
Posted By: Hairball!!!
Date Posted: 27 April 2008 at 9:53am
| How many bikes get stolen at your school? |
Posted By: Shub
Date Posted: 27 April 2008 at 10:39am
Yeah. They make pads that are specifically for mountain bikes and muddy rims. The leading edge of the brake pad is pointed, like the front of a snow plow, to scrape mud off the rim, and deflect it away from the wheel, and the pad is longer, for more contact area with the wheel, for better stopping. http://www.bikemannetwork.com/biking/p/BR1226 - HERE is something like what I've got. |
Posted By: .357 Magnum
Date Posted: 27 April 2008 at 11:11am
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Da Hui can tell you what to do. He has a special bond with his bike.
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Posted By: Mack
Date Posted: 27 April 2008 at 11:52am
Okay, your attempts at humor have been quite lame lately; but, this one made me chuckle.   ------------- 
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Posted By: tallen702
Date Posted: 27 April 2008 at 12:07pm
Mine ------------- <Removed overly wide sig. Tsk, you know better.> |
Posted By: Hairball!!!
Date Posted: 27 April 2008 at 3:39pm
Same, but I may have different derailleurs and crankset, possibly different rims. |
Posted By: thejudge
Date Posted: 27 April 2008 at 4:33pm
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buy a motorcycle instead... they are cooler lol. j/k i know nothing about those kind of bikes i just wanted to comment. ------------- Stay low, run fast, and hope that paintball doesn't hit your... http://www.deltasquad.info/"> 
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