Bicycle Mechanics - Upgrade cost?

I have an older, I think '89 GT Timberline MTB and it's drive train is basically worn out.

I go to the LBS and ask them what I should do.

I can't afford the bike I want right now @ near $900US.

I have another bike, Trek 1100 (Road) but, it doesn't do everything I want to do. I want to be able to go over rougher terrain than it's capable of going on with the 700x25 tires, not a necessity but highly desired. I do have 28's on the way (hope they fit, not much room). Even with the 28's it still won't go all the places I want to go.

So my options are:

1. Do what I can on the road bike and wait for the new bike.
2. Upgrade the components on the MTB. This according to the LBS would cost about $450US.


The guy at the LBS said for around $450 he would upgrade the group set to Shimano Deore LX components, it has Exage LX right now. This would be all the parts that wear out including:

Both Derailers and all cables.
Bottom bracket, 3 chain rings, crank set, 9speed cassette and chain.
Front, rear hubs, 36h rims (complete wheel set).
Replace the front cantilever with a V-Brake.
Shifters, brake levers and all cables.

He will also replace the headset bearings and quill stem with an adjustable quill stem.This price includes all the labor to do this.

I really want to eventually do this to the MTB anyway. This would make everthing new except the frame, fork, handlebars and the rear U-brake. Is this a good price for this goup set installed? Is the frame I have worth it? Am I insane? Am I hooked back into Biking?

I still want to get the new bike eventually also but, I can come up with $450 a lot sooner that I can come up with $900.

How bout a used newer bike? I'd hate to spend 450 on such an old bike

i agree. 450 can get a sweet used bike probably even full suspension. even some of the new bikes are heavier than the older better bikes.

i see you are in So CAL.

here are 2:

Stumpjumper FS M2 15" with shocks - $350
http://losangeles.craigslist.org/bik/162158324.html

Cannondale MTN bike M700 (no suspension) Deore XT Gruppo - $175
http://losangeles.craigslist.org/bik/162360400.html


i personally love cannondale. but the M700 is a little dated, but still a great bike. i have one. and the stumpjumper rocks too. the cannondale would be a great bike with a shock.

in fact get both.. haha

What exactly is the point of upgrading your current group? It's not going to do anything intrinsically better for you other than small weight savings, and there goes half your budget for a new bike.

Besides you can replace all that stuff yourself anyways.

i agree. 450 can get a sweet used bike probably even full suspension. even some of the new bikes are heavier than the older better bikes.

+1 on getting a used MTB instead, definitely more cost-effective.

post a pix of your GT. if everything is running right, you dont need any new parts. the only thing would be a shock for comfort if your hitting a lot of bumps over and over. and you do not need a 9 speed. a 10 speed would even be fine!

and there goes half your budget for a new bike.


Basically I've decided that my goal is to get the new bike so I will be just riding the GT and Trek until I can afford the new bike I want. After all why put good money after bad.

Thanks for all the input and for straightening me out. I have to keep the goal in mind (new bike, avoid impulse).

Without taking the time to cost out all of the parts you mentioned, that sounds like a LOT of new stuff to install for only $450.00. I think that your LBS is insane.

Without taking the time to cost out all of the parts you mentioned, that sounds like a LOT of new stuff to install for only $450.00. I think that your LBS is insane.

The intention was to strip a new bike with said parts and install them onto my bike. I personally have no idea what the parts would be worth but, I am not going to go that route now. I really want the new bike.

If what you say is true then maybe I should take the offer and then sell the parts. Then again, this might be a setup. I can't honestly believe that's the case. I have dealt with them before and been treated fairly. There is also the possiblity that I may have misunderstood what they were saying. There was no mention of labor, I mean they didn't specifically say that's the "Out the door price" or anything like that.

That being said I really really want the new bike.

P.S. I really want the new bike.

I don't know anything about bikes. I do know that if you want supthin for $900, and you have $450, your half way there. Wait. It will be even more sweet when you get there.