Mountain Biking - My bike ok?

Hey, i got this bike in 1999 but never really started trailing untill the last few months. I love biking and i go just about every day so i want to put some money into my bike. Is this bike pretty good for now to put money into upgrading or should i consider getting a new bike? If i should, the brakes and forks arn't to great and somtime it takes like a couple trys to shift it. Any suggestions on upgrades. Another question what components should i upgrade first? Thanks

Little bigger

YOu said you ride everyday, so I guess you commute with it. And you also started trailing on the bike. Would be never bad to upgrade to a more newer bike. But if you wanna keep it, then upgrade the drive-train since you said it sometimes take a while to shift.

I do not commute with it, there are trails very close to my house. I never ride this bike on the road.

You could get a better bike, but only you can answer if you need one. If you are getting along ok now, it sounds like you just need to tune that one up. Either take it to your LBS or go to www.parktool.com and click on repair and learn to do it yourself.

Could fix it up with some new parts.

Well if youre going to redo the whole drivetrain, and it probably needs new tires and tubes. Then that will probably be at least 180-200, if you're using mid-grade components. Which is a little over half as much as a brand new 06 hardrock sport would cost.

If I were you I'd go with a new bike unless you just are in love with that particular frame.

Well if youre going to redo the whole drivetrain, and it probably needs new tires and tubes. Then that will probably be at least 180-200, if you're using mid-grade components. Which is a little over half as much as a brand new 06 hardrock sport would cost.

If I were you I'd go with a new bike unless you just are in love with that particular frame.

I just bought a hardrock sport. Works great! :D :D :D. The crank sucks though b/c you cant change out the big ring for a bash gaurd.:mad:

That bike is fine for your style of riding.

Sounds like a tune-up is all that's needed to get the shifting right.

As far as upgrades. The most significant thing you can do is upgrade your fork. Bar none that will have the most dramatic change.

From there, I'd just replace parts as they wear out, or they go on Clearance Sale!

A quick tune up will get the shifting working right, as mentioned, I'd learn to do it, so then you can fix it on the trail if it breaks.

Thanks everyone, I figured out how to adjust the drive train and it works a hell of a lot better now. I think i want to invest on a new fork for no more then $300, what do you guys suggest? Rock Shock Judy? Is this a good deal http://www.blueskycycling.com/product843_39_-2005-Marzocchi-MX-Pro-ETA-Fork-120MM.htm

Although a good buy, you might want to look for a fork with less travel. If you go with an almost 5" travel fork you are going to mess up the geometry of your bike.

The stock fork is about 80mm of travel. MAX travel I would recommend would be 100mm. If you can find a travel adjustable fork from 80 to 130 then that's always the best bet. That way if you encounter a long descent you can max out the travel. Then for all around riding you can set it closer to 90 or 100 for a tuneable ride.

Although a good buy, you might want to look for a fork with less travel. If you go with an almost 5" travel fork you are going to mess up the geometry of your bike.

The stock fork is about 80mm of travel. MAX travel I would recommend would be 100mm. If you can find a travel adjustable fork from 80 to 130 then that's always the best bet. That way if you encounter a long descent you can max out the travel. Then for all around riding you can set it closer to 90 or 100 for a tuneable ride.

Don't know about the 06 but my 07 came with a 100mm stock. Doubt the 06 would be any different.

on my old hardrock I changed the rear derailler to deore and got a new shifter and cable, new chain and tires and spent about $125-$150. Now it rides like a new bike. It's worth fixing if you like the bike. I found that I wouldnt get enough money for it to make it worth selling. And a new cheap bike wasnt really as much of an upgrade as I thought. I am still putting together a new bike while I ride this one but Am doing it slowly and with the components I want, not what comes on the thing ;) good luck