Bicycle Mechanics - Your Upgrade Recommendations?

Hello all!

I am new to the forums. I've been biking for about a year now, seriously road biking since March this year. I want to get into mountain biking as well. I have an old mountian bike that I realy like, but I want to upgrade it. I'd like to hear your recommendations!

Here's the specs:
~1996? Diamondback Apex SE
TT-Lite CRMO Frame (does seem pretty light!)
SRAM GripShift
Avenenir 175g bars (want to replace with a riser bar)
Manitou Mach 5 fork
ARYA TM-820 rims on Sovos "12 95"(date?) hubs
Shimano STX rear der. 7 speed
Sugino 175 crank
DiaCompe Aheadset
Front Der. ? 3 speed
Tioga Psycho 1.95 tires


Will the SRAM 9.0 cassette work on this week so I can upgrade the shifters/ders to 9-speed? :confused:
This fork seems OK, but I know it doesn't have the travel and smart valving of the new ones. I will put that off for a little while though.
Wheels, I'd like to upgrade, but not right now (budget!)

Your inputs are appreciated, thanks!

Darren
Houston, TX

personally I would save my money for a new mt. bike. the bike you want upgrade doesn't seem worth it. with what you would have to spend to make that a decent bike you could get a new one. just my opinion.

That's OK, I'm asking for opinions. Thanks for the input. What would be a good starter bike under $1000?

Darren

I have to agree with Biggsy, by tiem you bought new casseete.. new rear deraileur.. new shifters.. new fork.. might as well bought saved the money and got a new bike and use this one as a beater.

As for under $1000.. what kind of riding do you do?

Under a thousand? I would get a Hardtail. For about 600, u can get the Haro ICS 3.0, its got Shimano LX components which are good reliable components. Also look at the speciazlies or giants.

Yea also, its not worth upgrades the parts on an old bike. If u buy a new complete bike, you get a better deal. And a SRAM 9.0 cassette won't work on a 7 speed hub.

Well... here's what I was thinking. OK, now where can I get a bike with these components in this price range? Prices from www.pricepoint.com. I'll do the labor.

Description Total
Avid Mechanical Disc Brake_ 69.98
Avid Mechanical Disc Brake_ 69.98
SRAM/Grip Shift 9.0 Brake Levers _ 39.98
Race Face Prodigy DH Crankset w/ Bashguard and Evolve FR Bottom Bracket_ 114.98
SRAM/Grip Shift 9.0 Powerglide II Cassette_ 44.98
SRAM/Grip Shift PC-59 9 Speed Chain w/ Power Link_ 14.98
SRAM/Grip Shorty Shifters 9.0 Shifter & Derailleur Kit_ 99.98
Shimano XTR Front Derailleur (Non-Top Swing) M953_ 39.98
2003 Manitou Black Comp _ 249.98
Cane Creek C-2 Headset _ 29.98
2002 Rock Shox Mtn Suspension Seatpost _ 44.98
Shimano XT Disc Wheelset with Mavic x317 Rims_ 239.98

Sub Total 1059.76

Oh yeah, I am missing cables. Add these:
http://www.performancebike.com/shop/Profile.cfm?SKU=16555&Store=Bike

Darren

How about the Kona Roast, Kona Kula, RockHopper FSR Comp, RockHopper Comp, or Giant XTC 2.. Most bikes have Shimano Component groups, probablycould get your LBS to swap it out for Sram if you wanted.

[QUOTE]Originally posted by dartol
[B]Well... here's what I was thinking. OK, now where can I get a bike with these components in this price range? Prices from www.pricepoint.com. I'll do the labor.


Sub Total 1059.76

Oh yeah, I am missing cables. Add these:
http://www.performancebike.com/shop/Profile.cfm?SKU=16555&Store=Bike

I hope all of these are available from a single site as shipping will add $20-30 to the total for a single site so you will be well over 1100. If you have to order from multiple sources because pricepoint is cherry picking prices then shipping will be over a $100 additional depending on how many sources you have to deal with. You have tools and fork air pump? Get a new bike :-) Steve

If your bike is currently a 7 speed it may not fit a 9 spd cassette. Someone more knowledgable about 7 speeds would know for sure.

Also make sure your steer tube is 1 1/8th. If it is 1inch you are pooched for what fork you can buy as only one company makes 1inch steer tube suspension forks and that marzocchi which have to be special ordered.

Also does your current frame support disc brakes. If so then I will asume your hubs don't which means you need to rebuild your wheels on disc read hubs. If your frame doesn't have disc tabs then you will have to stick with v's.

Definately find out these three things before looking at upgrading. I am with everyone else. For 1000$ american you can find some really nice new bikes.

I gotta say though you have good taste in components...I just don't know about compatibility with old school frames :D..

May I suggest a complete bike in lieu of a custom build. With a custom, and the components you're interested in, you're into at least $1,500 - 2,000.00. Depending on your frame. For $1,500 you can get a sweet hardtail or a decent full suspension.

If you're budget is only $1,000 complete, you've got to lower your standards a bit. You've spent $1,000 and don't even have a frame yet.

What type of riding do you mostly do? i.e. cross county, all day epics, freeride...etc.

What is your weight?

Where do you live? --or-- What trails do you ride?

...etc.

L8R

Here's a decent FS bike for a grand: http://www.supergo.com/itemdisplay.asp?parentid=21094&secid=7559&subid=7&compflag=1&company=Iron+Horse

If you want a hardtail check this out:http://wheelworld.com/site/itemdetails.cfm?ID=2095&Catalog=39&sort=Price

Now we're getting somewhere, thanks all!

I'm 6' 2", 210 pounds, a road biker wanting to get into MBs. I'm in Houston, and plan on hitting the trails in Memorial Park and Jack Brooks Park as a start. Freeride I guess you would call it? Who knows what I will wind up getting into. :-D

Hey I really like the looks of that Iron Horse! I saw some Iron Horse bikes at Oshman's sporting goods here, I guess I should go take a closer look.

You guys are convincing me to be riding instead of slaving over bike parts... ;-)

I have a friend that has offered to sell me his Gary Fisher Sugar for a great deal too...

My road bike is Specialized... it seems their good mountain bikes are out of my price range.

Darren

IRonhorse is a good up and coming (they have been around a while but this year are really making a mark) mtb company and have right now the best value bikes on the market.