Upgrade an old bike or buy a new one?
Discussion
Looking for some opinions 
I've got an old (I think 1997) Marin Rocky Ridge hardtail that I use for my parkland / bridlepath / innercity commute. It's never let me down, but I don't exactly hammer it - that's what the Commencal is for.
But things are starting to noticeably wear out. I need new rims at least, but for convenience I think new wheels would be easiest. The V-brakes have seen better days, and I'd like disks anyhow. The front fork is not exactly the most responsive in the world either. However, as I say, the bike itself has never let me down, I like the geometry, it's light enough and solid enough for it's intended use. So, I'm a bit reluctant to throw it in the bin and am considering my options.
When I look at replacing the worn out bits, the costs start mounting up. For example, current wheels are Mavic something or other, and a quick look at Wiggle shows a comparable replacement set would be over £100. A decent front fork might do me for, well, who knows!? And the frame isn't disk compatible anyway, so I would likely have to use one of these adapter kit things to get a rear disk brake.
So the question is: is it worth upgrading the various bits or would I be better off going for a completely new bike? I guess second hand might make more sense, but I'm a bit reluctant to use fleabay...
I've got an old (I think 1997) Marin Rocky Ridge hardtail that I use for my parkland / bridlepath / innercity commute. It's never let me down, but I don't exactly hammer it - that's what the Commencal is for.
But things are starting to noticeably wear out. I need new rims at least, but for convenience I think new wheels would be easiest. The V-brakes have seen better days, and I'd like disks anyhow. The front fork is not exactly the most responsive in the world either. However, as I say, the bike itself has never let me down, I like the geometry, it's light enough and solid enough for it's intended use. So, I'm a bit reluctant to throw it in the bin and am considering my options.
When I look at replacing the worn out bits, the costs start mounting up. For example, current wheels are Mavic something or other, and a quick look at Wiggle shows a comparable replacement set would be over £100. A decent front fork might do me for, well, who knows!? And the frame isn't disk compatible anyway, so I would likely have to use one of these adapter kit things to get a rear disk brake.
So the question is: is it worth upgrading the various bits or would I be better off going for a completely new bike? I guess second hand might make more sense, but I'm a bit reluctant to use fleabay...
I have a Rocky Ridge of a similar vintage. Can't remember the exact year I bought it but its around '98 I think - Black frame with Manitou Spyder R forks (upgraded from standard Spyders before I collected it).
I used to hammer it off-road for many years and have now shifted it to the same sort of use that you put yours to.
The conclusion I've come to is that unless I had money simply burning a hole in my pocket, the only upgrades I'm doing to it now is to keep it running for the work commute. As nice as a new bike would be, I'd rather save my pennies for the "fun" bike and keep the Marin ticking over as a commuter.
I used to hammer it off-road for many years and have now shifted it to the same sort of use that you put yours to.
The conclusion I've come to is that unless I had money simply burning a hole in my pocket, the only upgrades I'm doing to it now is to keep it running for the work commute. As nice as a new bike would be, I'd rather save my pennies for the "fun" bike and keep the Marin ticking over as a commuter.
Aye, that's the rub.
On the one hand, something new and shiny appeals to me I'm fortunate that budget isn't really an issue, though my inherent stinginess helps.
On the other though, there is an argument for having an obviously old, knackered looking frame to discourage the scum from nicking it when locked up in town, but with new components on so it actually works.
Decisions, decisions...
On the one hand, something new and shiny appeals to me
I'm fortunate that budget isn't really an issue, though my inherent stinginess helps.On the other though, there is an argument for having an obviously old, knackered looking frame to discourage the scum from nicking it when locked up in town, but with new components on so it actually works.
Decisions, decisions...
bigandclever said:
On the other though, there is an argument for having an obviously old, knackered looking frame to discourage the scum from nicking it when locked up in town, but with new components on so it actually works.
That's the stage my Marin's at (apart from the forks, which are knackered because I've given up servicing them; it's basically unnecessary for the use its put to) and it is quite nice not worrying too much about leaving it around. I upgraded my bike from a run of mill budget bike, upgraded all the components then eventually moved all those parts onto a better frame, bit like buying a custom built personalised bike in instalments. One thing to think of though is that it dosnt work out any cheaper in the long run, the money i spent building my bike would of probably bought a better shop built bike!!!
Edited by Tim.s on Tuesday 26th June 21:08
Why not take whatever you are considering to pay to upgrade your bike / buy a new bike, and look around on fleabay / classifieds for a good, used, 2005 / 2006 bike?
2nd hand bikes really do have keep their residual value about as well as a Korean luxury saloon, so a 2006 £500 bike is likely to get half that in very good nick on ebay - 2006 Avalanche, Specialized Hard Rock etc etc
2nd hand bikes really do have keep their residual value about as well as a Korean luxury saloon, so a 2006 £500 bike is likely to get half that in very good nick on ebay - 2006 Avalanche, Specialized Hard Rock etc etc
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