Bicycle Mechanics - Upgrading Trek 4300 8spd-9spd comp.

Hi everybody (first post :D)

I need some help with upgrading my bike. Total newbie so I would appreciate some advice.

I'll be visiting USA soon and I plan buying some parts for my "Trek 4300 '07", so I could upgrade it a bit.

Prices are crazy here in Croatia (Europe), so I'm looking forward for some normal US prices. ;) I just hope that airport security won't have any problems with big metal parts in my language..
But lets cut this story short...

First of all, I'm not that happy now because I realize that I should have went for 9 speed bike, it would make upgrades much easier since all the good parts now seem to be 9 speed compatible? Seems like Alivio is top class for 8spd, nowadays? Is that true and can I mix 8 speed / 9 speed part? What would happen if I would mount, lets say, "Shimano Saint" crankset to my Trek 4300 without changing other parts?

I'm worried about upgrading following parts:

-Front derailleur: Deore, XT, Saint (all seem like 9 speed?)

-Cranset: Shimano Deore, Saint Triple, Shimano LX (will I have problems with bottom bracket?)

Do I need to upgrade the cassette, shifter, chain and all the rest to 9 speed?


Here are the original bike specs:
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Wheels:
Wheels Alloy front, Shimano RM60 rear hub; Bontrager Camino rims
Tires Bontrager Connection Trail, 26x2.0"

Drivetrain:
Shifters Shimano EF50, 8 speed
Front Derailleur Shimano C050
Rear Derailleur Shimano Alivio
Crank SR XCC-T102 42/34/24
Cassette SRAM PG830 11-32, 8 speed
Pedals Alloy platform

Components:
Saddle Bontrager Select Basic
Seat Post Bontrager Sport
Handlebars Bontrager Crowbar Sport, 25mm rise
Stem Bontrager Sport, 25 degree
Headset Aheadset Slimstak w/semi-cartridge bearings, sealed
Brakeset Tektro V w/Shimano EF50 levers
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What do you recommend upgrading? I want to change Front derailleur for sure. Think original one is messed up, also I need more rigid crankset. Probably better fork and those shifters look like could break easily.

Thanks everyone...sorry if I missed similar previous posts.

Why do you want to upgrade from 8 to 9 speed? The range of an 8-speed and a 9-speed cassette is the same - all that you get is one more gear somewhere in the middle of the range. To upgrade, you need a new rear shifter, cassette, and chain. Your existing derailleurs should work fine.

As for the cranks and derailleurs, they don't really care how many speeds you have, so you should be able to swap those without problems.

On a bike that new, your best bet is probably selling it and buying something higher end.

Thanks for answering. I wanted to upgrade to 9 speed becuase I cant seem to find any good quality 8 speed parts (at least on few online shops I cheked). All better gear states 9 speed compatible.

Glad to hear thats all cranks and derailleurs are 8speed / 9 speed compatible, right? So, I could change those and later go with the new cassette and chain, rear shifter when the old ones wear out?

Have patience with me as I said I'm a newbie. ;)

Anybody have some specific recomendations for mid-range parts ?

I have a feeling I should have went with higher end bike.. too late now..

8 speed chains are easy to find. 8 speed cassettes are a bit trickier, but you can still get them. The shifters should last a while. If your bike is pretty new, I wouldn't worry about replacement parts yet.

Thanks for answering. I wanted to upgrade to 9 speed becuase I cant seem to find any good quality 8 speed parts (at least on few online shops I cheked). All better gear states 9 speed compatible.

Which specific components are you interested in upgrading or adding? 9 speed compatible does not necessarily mean 8 speed incompatible. It depends on the specific part.

Unless your 8 speed components are worn out, the change from 8 to 9 speed is unlikely to be worth the expense.