Mountain Biking - Trek 4900 - Worth upgrading?

I recently purchased a Trek 4900 and I really love the way it rides. Noticed I say "rides" because it stops like POO! I hate the cheesy Promax V-brakes and levers and I am thinking they need to go.

Besides the Promax brakes the 4900 comes with the following:

FRAMESET:
FRAME: Alpha Aluminum. Oversized power tubes. New bi-axial downtube. Wishbone monostay. Replaceable derailleur hanger. Disc mount.
FORK: RockShox Pilot C, single coil, hydracoil damping, adjustable preload, magnesium lowers, 80mm travel

WHEELS:
WHEELS: Bontrager Corvair, welded, machined sidewall rims; Shimano 9-speed rear, alloy quick release front hub; 14G stainless spokes
TIRES: Bontrager Jones AC, 26x49/54

COMPONENTS:
SADDLE: Trek ATB
SEATPOST: Bontrager Sport
HANDLEBARS: Bontrager Crowbar Sport
STEM: Bontrager Sport, 15°
HEADSET: AHS 1-1/8" semi cartridge, sealed

DRIVETRAIN:
SHIFTERS: Shimano Alivio
FRONT DERAILLEUR: Shimano Alivio
REAR DERAILLEUR: Shimano Deore
CRANKSET: Shimano M-340-8 42/32/22
CASSETTE: SRAM 5.0 11-32, 8spd

After putting about 70 miles (mostly paved, some XC) on this bike I can honestly say I love the way the frame feels. It's a smooth, sturdy ride and I dig the way it feels when I'm descending and climbing on paved trails. But I don't like the feel of the brakes and I want components that will last through some serious XC.

I'm thinking of switching to Avid Single Digit 7 brakes and levers, and Shimano XT drivetrain and shifters. I may also look into a suspension seatpost.

Whaddya think? Is this frame worth the extra scratch?

I have the same frame and agree with everything you said. I think the frame is worth upgrading, I did. I upgraded everything a little at a time. The bike makes a great XC.

I just bought me a pair of Avid SD7's. Ive heard so many good things about them. Are your current shifters/levers integrated?

My bike has much of the same drivetrain (alivio fd shifters crankset, Deore rd, SRAM 5.0 cassette) and I think it works great. I was itching to go full XT but held off due to lack of funds. I've put about 2000kms of commuting, several short XC races, a few long XC rides and a wild 2.5 hour gruelling XC race on this drivetrain and it still works great! I never have a problem getting into the right gear and never once has it broke down on me. My plans of upgrading are on hold until the drivetrain actually wears out.

About the brakes, I hear SD7's are great. I want to upgrade my V's (currently Acera with crap Shimano pads) and might go with SD7's or Deores while keeping my existing levers as I don't want to have to buy new pods.

Just keep riding, replace your brakes, upgrade as things break or wear out.

:beer:

I'd go ahead and upgrade if you want to, yes it might cost you almost as much as getting a new bike with similar level of componentry but you'll get a bike that has exactly what you want on it. Brake wise - I strongly recommend SRAM 9 V's with Avid levers.

Richard

Originally posted by troie
Are your current shifters/levers integrated? Thankfully, no. They are separate.

I am definitely going to upgrade the brakes. I might wait on the rest until things start to go south.

I guess I'm anxious to do everything now because once my baby is born in December I'll probably have less funds to play with. :)

Want a cheaper alternative?

Try getting some new brake PADS first. Most stock brake pads are ROCK HARD and do little to slow you down. Get some new brake pads and you'll notice an immediate difference. Don't buy Shimano replacement pads, they're no better. Get some kool stop or WTB replacement pads.

Similar to these:


WTB (http://pricepoint.com/product382.html)

or these


Kool Stop (http://pricepoint.com/product1510.html)

L8R