Age old question - new bike or upgrade?

[nammynake]

I have a 2005 Specialized Hardrock Sport that has served me well over the years, and proven to be a very reliable bike. I have been doing some pretty rough XC riding lately and it feels like the bike is struggling more than me. The rim brakes are woefully inadequate, verging on dangerous at times. The forks (RST Gilla) are not particularly comfy and lead to aching hands and arms.

So I either need a new bike, or upgrade. The hardtails I have been looking at are a grand or here abouts. I could otherwise put some decent forks and disc brakes on my current bike for 300-400 or so (Rock Shox Recon and Avid Juicy).

Opinions please guys!

Thanks

[RRS_Staffs]

The fork will (probably) have disc mounts but what about the back of your current frame?

And the predictable answer on here is always going to be "new bike"
But you knew that didnt you

[AVeryNaughtyBoy]

I would consider second hand forks and brakes. There is a set of Fox F80 RLs on eBay at the moment that look like they will come in around the £100 mark. Some time ago I picked up some Magura Louises for £85 delivered.

I bet the frame does have mounts but you need to confirm this. Your stumbling block is probably your wheels which may not have disc mounts.

Sensible second hand purchases could see you upgrading for around £350 to some very nice kit.

You could also look for a whole second hand bike.

Degreasing your rims and sanding the shiny layer off your pads can make a big difference too.

[curlie467]

I have an 18" 2011 Scott scale that i need to release some money from but i definitely do not want to stop biking.

Whereabouts are you and would you be interested in p/xing your bike and cash for mine?

It is this one.

It is a 2011 Scale 80 that has been upgraded with many parts.







18" blue and white alloy frame.
Rockshox revelation dual air u-turn 100-130mm forks.
FSA xc300 cartridge bearing wheelset.
Continental speedking 2.1 tyres.
FSA cartridge bearing headset.
Shimano SLX shifters with XTR inner and outer cables.
Shimano XT rear derailleur and Alivio front.
Shimano deore M595 hydraulic brakes with XT rotors, 203/180mm.
Shimano XT m770 cassette 11-32.
Shimano octalink crankset with 22/32 setup, large ring available.
Sunline lock-on grips.
Welgo MG1 flat pedals.

The bike has been used but is in very good working order, it is washed and lubricated after each ride, it has a few scratches where my battery had been sat but otherwise is very nice indeed!

The forks have just been serviced.

[nammynake]

Yes my bike has rear disc mounts. Not sure if my wheels can be adapted - didn't think about that.

That Scott looks tasty, but is probably out of my price range, plus 18" is probably a tad too large. I am 5'8".

[Jimbo.]

Looking at the archive on the Specialized website, you wheels won't take discs, so you'd need them as well (£5-0100ish for a S/H set, plus a few quid for the inevitable truing/hub service).

[anonymous-user]

there is no point upgrading the bike, its just not worth it when you can get deals like this.
http://www.merlincycles.co.uk/Bike+Shop/Bikes/Moun...

full deore groupset with hydraulic brakes, roxkshox recons and a solid enough wheelset. you could easily spend £650 on the hardrock and still not have as good a bike as this. the hardrock frames are really heavy and dont lend themselves well to good trail riding. i know because i had one, a hardrock pro and it was fun, but hard work when the trails opened out and got fast.

[curlie467]

nammynake said:

That Scott looks tasty, but is probably out of my price range, plus 18" is probably a tad too large. I am 5'8".

I am 5`8" too and though it does feel slightly longer than my old rockhopper, it is lovely to ride and not too big!
I would say for a deal that if you threw me say £300 - £325 and your bike and we could do that.



If you were looking at upgrading parts then i would decide what you need, (disc brake set, wheels and forks) and put a wanted ad up on singletrack or bike radar and see what happens.
Merlin cycles usually do a discbrake kit where yo uwill get a set of brakes for front and rear and a set of wheels, all for reasonable money, then go for a set of rockshox recon or toras maybe. Job done!
Disc brake and wheel kit:
http://www.merlincycles.co.uk/Bike+Shop/MTB++Parts...
Forks:
http://www.merlincycles.co.uk/Bike+Shop/Frame++For...

[waughie]

I'd say upgrade, but then I am biased!!

[anonymous-user]

As curlie has pointed out a good disc brake kit inclusive of wheels is going to be £250ish, a better fork will be the same or slightly less. then you'll be into whether you want a new drive chain, a new group XT at over £300, SLX at about £250 again.

It really depends if your happy buying components 2nd hand, other wise the cost of upgrading can be prohibitive.

So if you love your frame and you want it for the rest of your life then you could get a cracking bike for around £800 in upgrades, then you'll treat it to some nicer finishing kit, so new pedals, stem, bars, grips, post, clamp & seat, not forgetting new tires (but they are a W&T item anyway).

So you'll be into the other side of £1,000 before you have the bike you really want.

And for £900 you can get a seriously good Hard Tail like this

http://www.merlincycles.co.uk/Bike+Shop/Bikes/Moun...

with an slx groupset upgrade, and a reba fork if you want to spend more. You'll have a cracking bike for £1,200 ish.

[curlie467]

My Scott was bought brand new in february and all the upgrades were bought new in feb/march bar the forks which are in excellent condition inside and out.

The bike has probably done no more than 300 miles.