Need to fix up my mountain bike

[apac]

After 3 years riding it into the ground theres a lot of things that need to be fixed. I need a new crank/gear set because the local bike shop I would use for tuneups never told me I needed to replace the chain pretty frequently :|. My wheels need new tires and need their hubs rebuilt, so I figure it would be better to just buy a set to replace them.

So what are the good online sites to do some component shopping? I'd like to install things myself if possible, 1st) to learn and 2nd) to avoid the horrible cost of labor at the local bike shops. My roommate has a set of tools that I'd be able to use.

 

[fuzzybabybunny]

http://www.performancebike.com/

 

[Don Vito Corleone]

New wheels are expensive, and don't come with tubes and tires. Unless your rims and/or hub races are really worn out you'll be better off having the hubs professionally serviced.

Does your roommate have actual bicycle tools? You will need several bike-specific tools that are not part of a normal hand-tool set. Specifically you will need a crank puller to remove the cranks, and bottom-bracket tools if you need to replace that. You'll also want to invest in a book on bike maintenance, like Lennard Zinn's "Zinn and the Art of Mountain Bike Maintenance."

 

[flyfish]

http://www.mtbr.com/

 

[apac]

Originally posted by: DonVito
New wheels are expensive, and don't come with tubes and tires. Unless your rims and/or hub races are really worn out you'll be better off having the hubs professionally serviced.

Does your roommate have actual bicycle tools? You will need several bike-specific tools that are not part of a normal hand-tool set. Specifically you will need a crank puller to remove the cranks, and bottom-bracket tools if you need to replace that. You'll also want to invest in a book on bike maintenance, like Lennard Zinn's "Zinn and the Art of Mountain Bike Maintenance."

Yep been reading all about those this afternoon. My roommate used to be a serious mountain biker when he was in HS and has a ~$2K bike, so he may have those specialty tools. I'll ask him when he's back from the holidays.

Thanks for the other info!

 

[drnickriviera]

http://www.cambriabike.com
http://www.nashbar.com/

 

[herbiehancock]

http://www.jensonusa.com

Excellent prices there......best rated online bike part etailer on MTBR.com

Nashbar and Performance, while good places to shop and very reputable, don't have the best of prices most of the time. Cambria and JensonUSA usually outdo them regularly.

 

[vailr]

Niagara Cycle Works (sold thru Amazon.com):
http://www.amazon.com/gp/help/seller/ho...rketplaceSeller=&seller=A2TE9IQP68MWQU
They carry:
Wheel Rear 700 Sun Cr18 Silver Alivio 36H Ss 8Spd - $56.08
http://www.amazon.com/Wheel-Rear-Cr18-S...io/dp/B000AO7D1K/sr=1-2/qid=1164586161
Wheel Front 700 Sun Cr18 Silver Alivio 36H Ss - $38.38
http://www.amazon.com/Wheel-Front-Cr18-...io/dp/B000AO9KFW/sr=1-5/qid=1164586161
as well as Shimano and SRAM chains, cranksets, etc.
Also: "Get free shipping on your order when you purchase $100.00 or more from Niagara Cycle Works. Enter code ******* at checkout." [Anandtech won't allow coupon codes]

 

[Don Vito Corleone]

Originally posted by: vailr
Niagara Cycle Works (sold thru Amazon.com):
http://www.amazon.com/gp/help/seller/ho...rketplaceSeller=&seller=A2TE9IQP68MWQU
They carry:
Wheel Rear 700 Sun Cr18 Silver Alivio 36H Ss 8Spd - $56.08
http://www.amazon.com/Wheel-Rear-Cr18-S...io/dp/B000AO7D1K/sr=1-2/qid=1164586161
Wheel Front 700 Sun Cr18 Silver Alivio 36H Ss - $38.38
http://www.amazon.com/Wheel-Front-Cr18-...io/dp/B000AO9KFW/sr=1-5/qid=1164586161
as well as Shimano and SRAM chains, cranksets, etc.
Also: "Get free shipping on your order when you purchase $100.00 or more from Niagara Cycle Works. Enter code ******* at checkout." [Anandtech won't allow coupon codes]

Those are not mountain bike wheels.

 

[cheapgoose]

park tool guides

also check out Sheldon Brown's website. lots of info.

I usually order all my stuff from Performance. Your local Craigslist might also help you save some money.