#!markdown
For the brakes, do the rotors have a stamp in them that says "resin only"? If
not then -- given it is most likely the brakes ship with resin pads -- it
would be cheap performance upgrade to install some sintered pads (Shimano or
after market). If the rotors are "resin only" then you would have to replace
them as well, but if you can find some cheap rotors + pads you would probably
find that the brakes themselves are more than adequate. Used to see this all
the time on entry level hardtails and swapping the pads, or pads and rotors,
made them ride significantly better for under $100.
What about a 30t Narrow Wide ring (30t//11-34t) with the granny left on (just
space it inboard slightly as the 30t is inset) for "those" climbs where you
don't mind taking a moment to manually shift anyways. That way you ditch the
poor front shifter, front derailleur, and poorly shifting stamped rings (and
get back the clearance from the big ring). Doesn't solve the cheap rear
shifter (although, it is pretty easy to find used or new higher end 9spd
shifters for fairly cheap these days).
Dec. 8, 2014, 3:09 p.m. - DrewM
#!markdown For the brakes, do the rotors have a stamp in them that says "resin only"? If not then -- given it is most likely the brakes ship with resin pads -- it would be cheap performance upgrade to install some sintered pads (Shimano or after market). If the rotors are "resin only" then you would have to replace them as well, but if you can find some cheap rotors + pads you would probably find that the brakes themselves are more than adequate. Used to see this all the time on entry level hardtails and swapping the pads, or pads and rotors, made them ride significantly better for under $100. What about a 30t Narrow Wide ring (30t//11-34t) with the granny left on (just space it inboard slightly as the 30t is inset) for "those" climbs where you don't mind taking a moment to manually shift anyways. That way you ditch the poor front shifter, front derailleur, and poorly shifting stamped rings (and get back the clearance from the big ring). Doesn't solve the cheap rear shifter (although, it is pretty easy to find used or new higher end 9spd shifters for fairly cheap these days).