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Tips on Upgrading your Mountain Bike

So you’ve bought your first bike and tried out mountain biking. You got to experience the trails, learned to climb and descend, and had the time of your life with your new found buddies on that astig gnarly killer epic bike ride to some never before explored majestic waterfalls and carinderia and bulalohan in the middle of nowhere.

But regretfully, you also caught that debilitating biker’s disease called upgraditis. You look at your bike, shake your head, and feel something just ain’t right. You visit bike shops and leave drool puddles on the floor while looking at that shiny new groupset, those blinged out wheels that sound mayaman, and that fork with those golden stanchions costing half your son’s pang-tuition. You are certain that if only you could have them, the magic will return.

And since you’re not exactly a porked-up senator or Janet Napoles with bathtubs full of filthy cash, you need to decide which part (or parts) of your bike make the upgrade shortlist. So here are a few tips to consider before you go to the bike shop and part with your hard-earned cash.

First you need to decide on what you’re after. Is it Performance? Comfort? Or Blingsthetics? (Sorry for that crude portmanteau, but you get what I mean.)

MTB Pros

A lot of bikers wish they could be as good as the pros.
Many think that if they had just the right gear, they could be pros
.

Performance

You got a calendar marked with racing events and you gnash your teeth when you don’t make a podium finish. You want the lightest and fastest components. But you’re not willing to rob a bank or become a stripper just to support your addiction. (And dude, racing really is an addiction.) Here are a few things to consider when upgrading.

(The prices listed here are based on those currently posted on the FB Page of Glorious Ride Bikeshop, a popular LBS in the UP Sikatuna Area, and from Sulit.com.)

Tires
Tires are often overlooked in the upgrade shortlist, but they can make or break a race, depending on what race you take part in. XC racers usually prefer narrower tires that roll fast but still have enough grip. I use the WTB Nano Race 29×2.1 tires. These affordable tires roll fast on fireroads and hardpacked trails thanks to their closely spaced mid-height treads. However, these features also make them less grippy on roots and babyhead rocks. Semplang is a real possibility. If you like to race on trails with lots of roots, rocks, loose gravel and mud, fatter tires with bigger knobs are in order. But check with your mechanic first if your frame can accommodate that 2.4 or 2.5 tire. Fatter tires also work better with wider rims, but that’s another story.Mountain Bike Tires

  • WTB Nano Race 29×2.1: Php 1,700 (Glorious Ride)
  • Geax Saguaro 29×2.2: Php 1,800./each (Glorious Ride)
  • Schwalbe Big Betty 26×2.40: Php 2,600/each (Glorious Ride)
  • Maxxis Wetscream 26×2.50: Php 1,850 /each (Glorious Ride)

Fork
A good fork will soak up the bumps, so your elbows and knees get some respite. A good fork will also have a quick lockout option for the climbs so you don’t waste precious energy bobbing up and down while grinding on the ascents. Carlo Clemente of Glorious Ride recommends Suntour Epicon forks for budget conscious upgraders. They perform reliably well without breaking the bank. My first fork was an XCR, then I upgraded to an Epicon. Aggressive XC racers generally go for 80mm forks since these guys know kung fu with their bike handling. Normal people are fine with 100mm or 120mm forks (if their frame allows it). If your type of riding makes you want to go for a 140mm fork, you probably need to change your frame too, but that’s another story.

When I switched to a 29er, I got a good deal from Glorious Ride on a Manitou Tower Pro, and I haven’t lusted after other forks since.Mountain bike tires

  • Suntour Epicon 26er 100mm: Php 9,000 (Glorious Ride)
  • Manitou Tower Pro 29er 120mm: Php 17,500 (Glorious Ride)
  • Marzocchi 44 Micro Ti 29er 120mm: Php 29,000 (Glorious Ride)
  • Fox 32-K Float 29er 100mm CTD 15Q: Php 40,500 (Glorious Ride)

Clipless Pedals and Shoes
People keep swearing by the efficiency of clipless gear. Most podium finishing XC racers use clipless so I guess there’s something to it. Of course, you can’t buy clipless pedals without also buying clipless shoes, so this is one purchase you need to really think about if you’re on a tight budget.

Personally, I prefer platform pedals with studs for a good shoe grip. Since I sometimes also do some trail running after biking, wearing dedicated biking shoes just doesn’t cut it for me. But that’s just me.
Mountain bike clipless pedals and shoes

  • Shimano PD-M505 pedals: Php 900 (Glorious Ride)
  • Crank Brothers Eggbeater: Php 2,600 (Glorious Ride)
  • Serfas Trax Bike & Hike: Php 1,900 (Glorious Ride)
  • Shimano MT43: Php 3,450 (Glorious Ride)

Groupset
Casual bikers can get away with a Shimano Acera or Alivio groupset. But serious racers will have nothing less than Deore. And if they can afford it, XTR.

But don’t lose sleep if you’re racing on Alivios. I’ve finished two races already on Alivio, and apart from the occassional mis-shift, they were pretty adequate. Personally, I think the differences between Alivio and Deore are not that significant, but I recently upgraded to Deore anyway, just to get this demon out of the way. I have to admit, the clutch mechanism on the 2014 Deore rear derailleur is very good. It’s kept the chain slap to a minimum and prevented the chain from dropping off.

However, if your present bike has mechanical brakes, you should really upgrade to a groupset with hydraulic disk brakes. The difference in braking power will surprise you.Shimano 2014 Deore Groupset

  • 2014 Alivio Hydraulic: Php 8000 (Sulit)
  • 2014 Acera Hydraulic: Php 6800 (Sulit)
  • 2014 Deore:  Php 11,000-13,000 (Sulit)
  • 2014 XTR: Php 51,000 (Sulit)

Wheelset
It’s hard to recommend bang for the buck wheelsets these days because wheelset upgrades that really make a difference are ridiculously expensive. But if you’re a hardcore racer, a set of lighter, stronger wheels should be in your upgrade list.Mountain bike wheelsets

  • On One Reet’ard Trail 29er: Php 12,500 (Glorious Ride)
  • Crank Brothers Cobalt 2 26er: Php 28,000 (Glorious Ride)
  • Reynolds Carbon 29er MTN: Php 59,500 (Glorious Ride)
  • Easton Wheels EC70 Trail Carbon 29er: P78,000 (Glorious Ride)

Dropper seatpost
This is one upgrade I think every mountain biker needs to save for. If you like riding trails that are a bit on the wild side, a dropper seatpost will do you tons of good. You can instantly raise your seat height to climb more efficiently, and drop it with the flick of a switch for the descents so you can lower your body or lean back and have better control. No more dismounting to fiddle with the seatpost clamp.Dropper seatposts

  • TMARS: Php 2,950 (an online seller on Philmofo)
  • FOX D.O.S.S. : Php 14,490 (Glorious Ride)
  • X Fusion HILO SL: Php 16,000 (Glorious Ride)

And finally, your body…
What’s the point of spending 50k on components that bring down the bike’s weight by 5 or 7 pounds (2.3 – 3.2 kgs) when you’re 25 pounds overweight? It’s cheaper to just lose weight. Although, I have to admit, foregoing all those donuts and lechon will be quite painful.

Comfort

Maybe you got into biking because you like fresh scenery and the joy of long leisurely rides. Perhaps you don’t care for being the fastest guy/girl on the trail and would rather be comfortable instead. If a pleasurable ride is your priority, here are a few upgrades to consider.

Saddle
The first thing you need to look at is your saddle. If it’s too hard, get one with more cushioning in it. If you’re a guy who cares about his family jewels, you should get a saddle that’s got a hole or relief depression in the middle. Your soft parts will thank you for it.

Last year I upgraded to the Velo Plush comfort saddle and it made a world of difference in my riding. It was like sitting on a sofa king. I could stay longer in the saddle, and could even remain seated despite the bumpiness of the trail. It was sofa king great.Biking saddles

  • Strace Reef: Php 990 (Glorious Ride)
  • Selle Italia X1 Flow: Php 1,000 (Glorious Ride)
  • Velo Plush 3256: Php 1,200 (Glorious Ride)
  • Selle Italia Max Flite Gel Flow: 5,250 (Glorious Ride)

Fork (again)
A good fork will also make your ride much more comfortable while also improving your performance on the trail.Mountain bike suspension forks

Bike Shorts and Jersey
Not exactly bike parts, but these can make a world of difference in terms of comfort. Proper bike shorts have sufficient padding to shield your delicate parts from the tremors of the trail. A good jersey will wick away sweat from your body and cool you down instead of marinating you in your own perspiration.

There are cheap knockoff jerseys and shorts available in tiangges for 300-500 pesos. But if you really want comfort, I’d recommend getting cycling shorts and jerseys from Spyder. These are real bang for the buck gear. I use their cycling shorts on almost every ride, often under my technical shorts for extra padding.

Mountain bike suspension forks

I used Spyder cycling shorts and jersey for the KOM race last June (Photo courtesy of Mountainbike Philippines). The Spyder Recharge jersey meanwhile was my choice for the epic ride to Puray Falls.

I especially like the Spyder Recharge jersey. It not only looks cool, but it also keeps you cool. The fabric is very efficient at wicking away sweat. The fabric at the back is made of much thinner material which effectively acts like an air vent. You can also zip the front all the way down to suck in as much ventilation into your torso for those unli-uphill climbing sessions.

  • Spyder Cycling Shorts: Around Php 1,000 I think
  • Spyder Recharge Jersey: Php 1,690

Bling + Aesthetics

In this category go the carbon seatposts, carbon handlebars, carbon water bottle cages, CNC’d stems, and a lot of other stuff. Performace gains and weight savings are minimal, but I have to admit they look damn good.Bike Bling

I’d lump cyclometers in this category too, because the advent of smartphones and apps like Endomondo, Strava and MapMyRide have pretty much rendered cyclocomputers redundant. Of course, everything that improves performance (and costs an arm and leg) like new forks, wheelsets, groupsets, etc can also be considered bling. If you’re in the market for bling, just follow your heart, but keep it safely within the bounds of your credit limit.

To summarize: If you want performance gains in upgrading from your entry-level components, consider buying 1) better tires, 2) a better fork, 3) clipless pedals, 4) a higher groupset, and 5) a better wheelset, in that order as your bank balance or credit limit permits. I put the wheelset last because that’s the one most likely to break the bank.

If you want a more comfortable ride, upgrade your 1) saddle, 2) fork and 3) biking apparel also in that order and according to your credit limit.

If you’re out for bling, a set of platinum bar ends with Swarovsky crystals never fails to get envious looks fromfellow hardcore bikers. It might even make Jeanne Napoles jealous! Ooh yeah.

If you’re gravitating (pun intended) towards Enduros and DH events, upgrading your entry level XC setup probably won’t work, and you’ll need an entirely new bike. If you’re switching to a 29er or a 650b/27.5er you will need a new frame, fork and wheelset. But you could also experiment with a 69er bike, which would look weird but cool at the same time.

PS. These tips are just that–tips. Don’t mistake them for sacrosanct truths that are inviolable. If you have other ideas about how to upgrade an entry level bike (and who doesn’t?) no one is stopping you from doing what you like.

I’d like to thank Carlo Clemente of Glorious Ride Bike Shop for his help in coming up with some of these tips. Despite years of mountain biking, gear choices still perplex me. I guess I’ll be a noob forever, but thanks to Carlo I was able to sort through the confusion. Do check out Glorious Ride, it’s got lots of awesome stuff.

Glorious Ride Bikeshop

Here are other bikers chipping in on what sort of upgrades are most essential.

 

NOTE:
Sorry guys, I’ll have to close the comments section on this post. It’s getting too long and unwieldy. If you have any questions, please feel free to PM me on the outsideslacker FB page. Thanks!

 

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84 Comments

  • What? Not even a mention of Rockshox! Lol!

    Thanks for the post, very informative. Carlo is topnotch in customer service. My go-to bike shop ever since I started mountain biking 🙂

  • just my 2 cents on the tire list the last one is labeled as Maxxis Wetscream 2.5 but the picture is Maxxis Swampthing ^_^

    • wow. thanks for pointing out that oversight! i’ll correct it asap. i couldn’t read the label on the picture of the tire and just assumed it was that! 😛

  • Your blog is very entertaining and educational. I got my 2nd bike today from Life Cycle, my first one being a CBE (Cheap Bastard Edition) bike when I was a kid. It feels good to pedal after 12 long years!

  • Nice! Very imformative indeed! Planning to start mountain biking as a new hobby. Any blog for beginners?

  • informative..especially for newbies and old riders as well..at least riders can decide which is which as long the budget permits.
    just like.. holding a top of the line DSLR doesn’t make you a pro.

  • muntik na akong mag collapse sa tataas ng presyo ng bike parts na un. P3,500 lang buong bike ko, tapos ung tinidor 9K… salamat sa impormasyon. pagpalain ka ng Maykapal

  • I am yet to buy my 1st bike and I try to read up as much as I can. Thank you for all the info. I keep coming back to your site to reread your tips on buying and upgrading. 😀

  • thanks for the tips, ang binile kong mtb 2,500 lang, exit level na ata tawag dun. almost every week may sira nang part. dapat bumile na lang ako ng entry level na bike. halos lahat napalitan na except yung frame.

    may idea ka ba kung san pwede bumile ng standard size fork na may suspension? puro oversized lang kasi ang binebenta.

    • outsideslacker

      March 16, 2014 at 9:25 pm

      kung wala sa quiapo, try mo dun sa mga smaller bike shops sa marikina sa jp rizal st. good luck bro 🙂

  • plano ko bumili ng M.bike…beginner pa lang ako pero gusto ko sana yung may dating at porma na agad yung bike na mabibili ko ang itsura tipong di papahuli sa mga expensive bike ang dating..budget ko 15K…pwede nba to sa magandang itsura ng Bike?…by the way im 5’11 in height…may shop ba sa Manila na ma recommend ka yung ok ang mga price?

    • yup, pwedeng pwede na yan. maganda naman ang porma ng mga entry level bikes ngayon. galingan mo lang ang pakikipag-bargain sa mga bike shop sa quiapo o cartimar pasay. try mo rin maghanap sa mga online retailers sa sulit.com

  • kumuha ako ng alivio groupset, you were right about the mis-shift sa rd, pero sakin hindi occasional, ilang beses nakong nag pa tune-up, yung ibang lbs mechanic hindi ma-align,inaayawan yung bike ko. one time biglang na-stuck yung rd ayun semplang sa kalsada. dapat nga nag deore na lang ako. tsaka marami din palang mayayabang na bikers, pinagtatawanan yung alivio ko dahil sila naka sram xx o xt/xtr.

    sa platform pedal ano mas maganda? yung saint mx-80 o crankbrothers 5050?

    salamat ulit sa iyong mga payo.

    • outsideslacker

      March 24, 2014 at 2:56 pm

      baka yung derailleur hanger ng frame ang di naka-align. i had a similiar problem of occasional mis-shifts with deore, pero pinatingnan ko sa bikefix dito sa sikatuna village. they were able to fix it by realigning the hanger.

      haha. huwag ka padala sa mga bikers na gear ang ipinagyayabang. iwanan mo sila sa trail tsaka mo sila pagtawanan! 🙂 4 years rin naman ako sa alivio, joined 2 races pa. had to replace it lang because my 29er frame needed more oomph. i’m very satisfied with 2014 deore though, especially its clutch mechanism which eliminated my problems with chain slap and detached chains. so if you want to go upgrade to deore, go fo it! 🙂

      am not particular about brands bro. i got my platform pedals for 1.5k in quiapo 2 years ago i think. i don’t even know its brand. but the design looked good, and the studs gripped my shoes like teeth.

      • MARAMING MARAMING SALAMAT!!! yung hanger nga ang problema, pumunta ako agad sa lbs at bumile ng bagong hanger para sigurado, ayun ayus na. di muna ko mag-upgrade, antayin ko na lang bumigay tong alivio.

        pagpalain ka.

    • maraming bikers ngayon na mayayabang bro. weight wise d nagkakalayo mga groupset unless siguro you go with xtr. payo lang bro tuhod ang upgrade mo. hehe.. naka high-end groupset nga sila di naman sila maka-padyak.

  • if you have to choose one out of these 3 for upgrading performance and speed which one will you choose? tires, rims or hubs?

    sir gaano kalaki ang nacocontribute ng hubs sa performance and speed ng mountain bike? and what’s a good budget price hubs to buy?

    • outsideslacker

      April 11, 2014 at 1:37 pm

      tires have an immediate impact on speed and performance. kung gusto mo mas mabilis, get a fast rolling 1.9 tire. kung gusto mo mas may grip and control sa technical trail, get a 2.35 – 2.4 tire.
      high end rims and hubs cut down on weight so they’re easier to spin, and much faster but they are also ridiculously expensive. higher end hubs also accommodate larger diameter QRs in the 15mm to 20mm range which makes wheels stiffer for technical trails.
      am not sure about the price range of hubs these days, best check your LBS

      • what tires are you using sir? mine is continental race king 2.2 front and 2.0 rear.

        i use my gt karakoram comp 29er mainly for commute muna to work but i do have plans to na mag trail din. ok din ba ung 2.35-2.4 tires for commuting on roads?

        • outsideslacker

          April 12, 2014 at 7:05 pm

          i use continental trail king 2.4 tires when dealing with trails like bobok bisal or mt. balagbag. they provide very good grip on loose soil and gravel, and make doing technical turns lots of fun. these big tires can slow you down though in level terrain. for xc races i use wtb nano 2.1 tires which roll fast and shed mud even faster. they can be quite tricky to use on loose soil though, and i’ve had one semplang already because they slipped during a turn. sometimes i use the conti 2.4 in front and the wtb 2.1 at the back for better control up front and faster acceleration in the rear.

          if you’re commuting on pavement, try getting a 1.7inch cyclocross tire. they are much faster. tires that are 2.35 to 2.4 are for technical trails and will slow you down considerably on the road.

  • sir, maganda ba ang Cube na frame? ano po ang iyong ma recommend na frame? budget sa frame is 5-8k

    • outsideslacker

      April 25, 2014 at 2:47 pm

      Hi chris, am not familiar with the cube brand. but for 8k you can already get a pretty good frame from vision, venzo, da bomb, khs etc. add some more and you can get a giant or cannondale

  • Irich Rustico

    May 11, 2014 at 11:18 am

    Hi!! I shared this on my fb. hope its ok 🙂 just wanna share it with my hubby. one day we’ll drop by po sa shop nyo. thanks

    • outsideslacker

      May 11, 2014 at 12:54 pm

      hi irich, thanks for visiting the blog. i wish i owned glorious ride, but i don’t hehe 🙂 carlo, who owns it is a good friend though. please tell him you found out about the shop through the blog, he’ll give you a discount 🙂

  • This explains exactly how a newbie feels like , a bulls-eye said. Super informative blog, i should have visit your shop sometime to start my “upgraditis” habit. Thanks 🙂

    • outsideslacker

      May 18, 2014 at 1:04 am

      hi ric, i am just another customer of glorious ride 🙂 unfortunately for me, i don’t own it.

  • Nice site! The articles posted here are so informative. I just bought my first MTB and was glad to have come across this site for helpful tips.

  • Sir, I just would like to ask your opinion regarding using the right footwear in biking. Ako po kasi ay ung current running shoes ang gamit ko.

    Ano po ba ang pros and cons?

    Salamat po.

    • outsideslacker

      June 7, 2014 at 10:47 pm

      same here bro. running shoes din gamit ko. mas gusto ko nga trail running shoes gamitin kaysa gumamit ng dedicated biking shoes with cleats and clipless pedals.
      they say clipless pedals make you more efficient, but they’re very awkward when you have to do hike-a-bikes.
      if you’re a racer or an xc mamaw who wants extra oomph from your pedal strokes, go for clipless pedals and shoes with cleats.
      but if you’re not a racer, platform pedals and running shoes will do.

      • Thanks Sir!

      • Ok clipless sa road(kahit mtb pa gamit mo) for me nagkaron ako ng 10%-20% efficiency gamit ang clipless specially when changing gear, kasi di dumudulas paa ko sa pedal, specially pag di ako nagbabawas ng cadence, pero sa trail nag dadalawang isip na din ako.. Pero yung slick tire pa rin sinisisi ko kung bakit ako sumemplang dun sa trail, hahahaha… Tire size ko is 1.95 26er with 60psi.. Kala ko ok pa ang kapit, takbong knobbed din.. Ayun di kumapit sa hard surface na malupa.. Pero nice trail pa din.. Derecho.lang ang padyak.. Di ko na pinalitan ng knob since gamit ko daily papuntang office..

  • good day sir, may i ask your opinion regarding mtb frame selection… Vision, Venzo, or Jamis?

    • outsideslacker

      June 8, 2014 at 7:14 am

      All of those are good quality frames. Mas mahal nga lang generally ang venzo sa vision at jamis sa venzo. Pero lahat yan ok quality. Paint job at kulay na lang ang pagpipilian mo

      • thanks very much sir… mas marami po kasing Jamis mtb dito sa Iloilo and glad to hear from you of the positive opinion. best regards.

      • btw sir, how about your choice…. Jamis or Venzo?

  • Tanong:
    Ok din ba na magpalit ako ng batalya? I mean bumili ako ng sgm soul, alivio groupset, balak ko palitan ng either khs, merida or giant yung frame. Swaswak kaya yung groupo na yun? Other than dun , di ko pa balak palitan si alivio, since i do my tuning my self, saka nakakasabay naman sa ibang roadbike speed kahit papaano.

    Tingin mo ba pag nagpalit ako ng crank teeth? May additional performance din? At di ba ako magpapalit ng front derailur.

    Currently ang napalitan ko lang is ung gulong. From trail tire to slick pero same size at yung pedal, clipless + second hand na road bike shoes(naka tyempo ng mura at almost bagong shoe, 2 times pa lang nagamit, short distance pa, ayaw nung may ari at nahihirapan sya mag unclip),
    Yung seat, parang comportable na ako sa stock, pero mukhang mapupunit naman sya anytime sooner or later. Yung wheelset, since mahal wala talaga sa balak ko.

    More leaning toward ako sa hybrid, pero nagbabalak na din bumili ng roadie siguro by next year. Sana meron ka din post for that.

    Thanks.

    • outsideslacker

      June 12, 2014 at 9:07 am

      ok magpalit ng frame kung mas magaaang ang ipapalit mo, or kung mas sukat sya sa size mo. other than that, porma na lang ang pinag-uusapan, and to each his own porma hehe.
      all groupsets are compatible with your frame. no worries. pero kung balak mo magpalit ng crank, check mo muna sa mekaniko mo sa bikeshop kung compatible yung ipapalit mo. if you ride mostly road, maganda ngang magpalit ng road cranks which are bigger and make you go faster on pavement. but i’m not sure if a crank from a shimano road groupset will fit an mtb groupset. check mo muna sa bikeshop mechanic kung pwede.

      i’m building a hybrid bike right now. baka this month matapos ko. it’s a weird 26er hybrid with a 29er wheel in front, with cyclocross tires. excited na rin ako mabuo sya at masubukan sa mix ng pavement at trail

  • Hi Sir…Ask lang po..Mas ok po ba ung SR Suntour XCR comapared sa Suntour Epicon??

  • Thanks for the article.
    Are you still using the Velo 3256? I’m thinking of getting this or the 3250.
    I’ve been on a couple of WTBs and just recently got a Charge Spoon due to glowing reviews. Although the Spoon seems to be breaking in, it’s still stiffer than I would like. I was smitten with the cushy OEM saddle on a friend’s 29er KHS. The Velo Plush 3256 and 3250 look to be similar to that so I’m now contemplating on getting one of those.

    • outsideslacker

      July 4, 2014 at 5:56 pm

      yup, i’m still using that saddle. i’ve been ruined by it. i don’t think i can sit on anything less cushy

      • Haha! Good [or bad? hehe] to hear. I’m a bit partial to the 3250 but it’s heavier (though I’m not a weight weenie).
        Just to give a point(s) of reference, what other saddles have you used before?

        • outsideslacker

          July 5, 2014 at 10:12 pm

          in a good way i think :p i’ve only tried the saddles that came with the bikes. horrible things.

          • Oh, only the OEMs. No worries. Thanks for your patience and replies.
            Great blog BTW. It’s the first local one I’ve come across that is actually worth reading. Keep it up =)
            I’ll be sure to come back here from time to time.
            Keep the rubber side down and God bless you.

          • outsideslacker

            July 7, 2014 at 4:49 pm

            thanks! i try my best 🙂

        • hi sir r1Gel, just wanted to share as i’m also using the velo 3256. Yes, it is comfortable, however, it’s a bit narrow (at least for me), so longer time on the saddle still gives me bu**aches. hehe. i suggest u take a look at the 3147 instead, it’s wider and still has that relief depression (hole) in the middle. my friend bought this one and it’s really more comfortable than the 3256. cheaper too by about 50 pesos.

          • @Bamboy, thanks for the input. I’m going to try the 3250 and provide some feedback when I get it later this month.
            I’m a bit wary of the cutout of the 3256 and 3147. Wouldn’t that cause mud/water to get thrown up your butt? ;p

        • @r1Gel surely looking forward to your review of the 3250; have been thinking about getting one (either that, or the 3210) – right now I only use the outside seat cover/cushioning that they sell cheap for P300 (the ones with the red Giant logo that get torn after first ride, LOL). I must say they have been really nice ones to sit on and I no longer feel like my balls would fall off sitting on a Bontrager saddle

  • panalo sir Art! thanks sa very informative na info

  • @r1Gel haha! at least we can blame the saddle everytime Yaya complains about the “skidmarks” in the underwear :))

  • Greetings, outsideslacker! Very informative a page I must say, especially after having bought my first bike I agree and/or could relate to some of the things that were mentioned here. Say, perhaps you could share your insights/thoughts on the Maddux Explorer wheelset; the fact it has 24 spokes does that in any way affect performance (by the way I am in no way a hardcore rider but sometimes you just have to hit the trails here and there, hehe). Thanks in advance!

  • Sir Good day! I’m always visiting your blog and always finding it very informative.

    Upgraditis surely is contagious among bikers. Kaya dapat wise usually impulses lang kasi, human nature we always look for something better that will help us be contented.

    One thing I would like to ask where do you bought your Spyder Apparels. Meron kasi aku alam booth lang siya ng mga headgears and shades sa Sm fairview, wonder kung san may mga apparels like jersey and short.

    Thanks and God bless.
    Btw, hope you could make a blog about the Bucketlist of a Mountain biker.

    • outsideslacker

      July 24, 2014 at 2:35 pm

      hi macky, the best spyder shop here in qc is inside the landmark dept store in trinoma. sa ground floor sya. they have helmets, apparel, shades, hydration bags and other stuff.

  • May recommended na rim din po ba kayo para sa 27.5?

  • hi pwede mo ba ko samahang bumili ng bike? please po need ko ng kasama sa pagbili ng nababagay sa aking bike.. hirap akong intindihin ang mga informative posts here.. please help

  • Hey bro! I must say i’ve become quite a fan of your musings..hehehe Your “8 tips on buying your first mountain bike” was one of my references in buying a bike and now that I’m thinking of upgrades, I’m revisiting your site again.. 🙂

    Here’s a short profile of how I ride – I’m more of a cross country biker and I ride 90% road 10% trail. I bike almost everyday to and from work and i usually ride to other towns on weekends.

    I’m thinking my priority upgrades should be: a cushioned saddle (’cause riding becomes a pain in the rear after being on a bike for a long period of time) and a good pair of XC tires ( i think my current tires are more for trails ’cause of it’s big treads, Kenda Koyote). I’m considering the Plush 3256 (based on your tip.. hehehe) and Kenda Small Block Eight (advice of my colleague). Any tips on these upgrades and other parts/gears to consider? TIA

    • those are good choices bro. if you’re a bike commuter, you might also consider getting a good pair of bike lights and blinkers and maybe some saddlebags for carrying your stuff 🙂

  • Sir ask ko lang kung ok na rin po ba ang Trinx XC3 29er plan ko po kasing bilihin.

    Salamat po

    • can’t really say bro, kasi di ako familiar dyan sa built bike na yan. ano ba specs nya at presyo? pls pm me na lang sa fb. thanks

  • Hello Sir!

    Another newbie here. Can you suggest a good entry level MTB. Budget ko po is 20-25k max. Yung MTB na konti na lang sana ang pwede i-upgrade.

    Gusto ko rin sana bumisita sa Glorious Ride kaso di ko alam yung sasakyan ko from SM Fairview. La din nman akong sariling sasakyan.

    You have a very informative site here sir! You’re a great help for us newbies. Keep it up! 😀

    • hey bro, thanks! kung gusto mo bumisita sa glorious ride, sakay ka lang ng bus hanggang kamuning. baba ka dun tapos sakay ka ng jeep papuntang kamias, liliko yun ng kanan sa anonas. baba ka dun sa malapit sa bdo. makikita mo dun sa kabilang side ng anonas yung glorious ride bikeshop. marami silang built bikes dun na swak sa budget mo, trust your puso. hope this helps

      • Thanks a lot bro!

        BTW. Just want to ask your opinion sa mga prospects ko na MTB. (Kung sakali ikaw ang bibili)

        *2015 Cannondale Trail 6 650b
        *Specialized Pitch Sport 650b
        *Giant Talon 27.5

        Meron ka pa po bang pwedeng ma-suggest na sa tingin nyo na mas magandang built bikes?
        (mas maganda in terms of performance and style)
        In consideration with my budget.

        Thank you very much for your help kuya! 😀

        • di naman nagkakalayo yung specs ng cannondale at specialized. but the giant talon, according to their website is spec’d with deore parts (tamang model kaya to?)
          but if all of them have altus or acera parts, wala masyado difference. piliin mo na lang yung sa tingin mo ay mas maganda sa paningin 😉

  • Good day sir,

    I would like to commend this very informative article. Slamat ng marami, Im a newbie sir and planning to have a good bike, but my budget is only 15k. For now sir, anu kaya ang best na mabibili ko nyan?

    sa ngaun ang trinx xc3 ang pinakamalapit sa puso at bulsa ko. Pwede ko din po ba iconsider ang pagtingin sa mg 2nd hand mtb?

    Ito po specs ng trinx xc3, paki evaluate naman po kung ok na xa at sulit na… maraming salamat>>>
    God Bless

    Bike Specs:
    Frame: Trinx Alloy Smooth Welding
    Fork: SR Suntour XCM Alloy with Lock out Thicker Tubes than XCT
    Handlebar: Trinx oversize Alloy 31.8
    Stem: Trinx oversize Alloy 31.8
    Saddle: Trinx
    Seatpost: Trinx oversize Alloy
    Crank: Shimano Altus
    FD: Shimano Tourney 2014
    RD: Shimano Altus 2014
    Cogs: Shimano Altus 8 Speed
    Shifter: Shimano Altus 8 speed 2014
    Brakes: Shimano Hydraulic Brakes
    Rims: Trinx alloy Double wall
    Tires: Kenda Small Block Eight 29” x 2.10
    Hub: Alloy
    Chain: Shimano

    • ok na rin ang specs nito for that price range bro. pag nakaipon tsaka na lang mag-upgrade 🙂

  • Hello Sir

    Sir pacomment naman po maganda na po ba itong bike na to sa 17K Price 2ndhand

    Lapierre raid 329 29er
    specs:
    Frame:
    RAID 29” ALLOY 6061 DISC
    Fork:
    RST BLAZE RL PM DISC 100mm 1.1/8”
    Headset:
    FSA TH.NO10P 1”1/8mm SEMI INTEGRATED
    Bottom Bracket:
    BSA CH 52-68 L: 127mm
    Crankset:
    SHIMANO FCM371C422XL 44x32x22 170mm (M) – 175mm (L, XL)
    Stem:
    LAPIERRE RAID ALLOY LCS-7126 Ø: 31.8mm E: 70mm (M) – 90mm (L, XL)
    Seatpost:
    LAPIERRE RAID ALLOY LCSP-53 L: 350mm Ø: 31.6mm
    Handlebar:
    LAPIERRE RAID ALLOY LCH-N04M W: 700mm R: 12mm Ø: 31.8mm
    Front derailleur:
    SHIMANO ALIVIO FDM431L6 34.9mm 66-69°
    Rear derailleur:
    SHIMANO DEORE RDM592SGS SHADOW 9 SPEED
    Shifters:
    SHIMANO ALTUS SLM370 3×9 SPEED
    Brakes:
    SHIMANO HYDRAULIC BRM395
    Saddle:
    LAPIERRE RAID VL-1205 STEEL RAIL
    Wheel:
    MACH1 NEO DISC 29” D.WALL 32H
    Sprocket:
    SHIMANO CSHG20I9134 9 SPEED 11-34 T
    Tires:
    SCHWALBE RAPID ROB PERF 29×2.10 54-622
    Pedal:
    Shuriken Dabomb red sealed bearing
    Minor Scratch.
    Size:
    Medium

    magandang Brand po ba ang Lapierre?

    Salamat po