Mountain Biking - I dont have the slightest clue, what to do now...?

My bike is dead, its weighs about 38lbs is used for XC, has wear on the rear shock bushing, needs constant tune-ups, and is about 5 years old.

My problem is I havent been planning on a bike replacement, am only 15, dont have any steady job, and dont really have enough (that i should wisely use) to buy anything more than a heavy hardtail, i have ridden the bike i have now, a dual suspension enduro for the last 2.5 years and my agressive riding would simply make it impossible for me to go back to a hardtail. The guy i have ridden with for the past 3 years has offered for me to work with him 3 saturdays on some stuff he needs to get done but i really dont want to do this since 3 days work doesnt pay off a 1000$+ bike and i just dont think it would ever quite feel like "my" bike, besides from the fact that he really doesnt have anything that i am interested in. My second option is borrowing another friends bike who iv ridden with for 2 years and wait until summer where i will make about additional 500-600 dollars, my third option being to patch and repair he problems i have with the bike (this includes new wheelset, frame, and overhaul on many bearings and the work that accompanies that), the fourth option is of course to ignore the cries of everyone and keep riding the bike the way it is. All the thoughts of this are going through my head, and im lost and need additional thoughts.

Start a business with Cheeto.

Holy ****, if I had your problems instead of my own. I'm going to have a bad hangover in the morning.

I'd go the instant gratification route AND TRASH YOUR FRIENDS BIKE AS WELL.

Boy, what is it with kids these days and work? Work isn't supposed to be fun, it's a job, that's why it's called "work". Gosh, when I was 15 I'd do any job that had any ammount of pay associated with it. I worked odd jobs for neighbors for below minimum wage. It sucked but at least I had money and didn't get it from mommy or daddy.

Do the work and get the pay. Does it matter that the job won't get you enough for a bike? It will get you closer and that's what matters.

Sheesh, what do 15 year olds look for in a job now 'days? Salary, benefits, secretary, corner office?

Continuing the theme on this thread: I worked an entire summer making pizzas to buy a new 1995 Stumpjumper M2. Aside from still owning the M2, I can still make a pizza damn fast. So, the answer is get a crappy job and buy a good hardtail.

Whats wrong with a bushing kit on your frame,true the wheels/tension the spokes,new chainrings,chain,cassette? What is agressive riding?

Boy, what is it with kids these days and work? Work isn't supposed to be fun, it's a job, that's why it's called "work". Gosh, when I was 15 I'd do any job that had any ammount of pay associated with it. I worked odd jobs for neighbors for below minimum wage. It sucked but at least I had money and didn't get it from mommy or daddy.

Do the work and get the pay. Does it matter that the job won't get you enough for a bike? It will get you closer and that's what matters.

Sheesh, what do 15 year olds look for in a job now 'days? Salary, benefits, secretary, corner office?

I believe you missed my point completely, i would do three days work and in payment he would give me one of his bikes. Im no stranger to a couple days of hard work, but it could be months before i have enough saved from a steady job.

Whats wrong with a bushing kit on your frame,true the wheels/tension the spokes,new chainrings,chain,cassette? What is agressive riding?

Its mainly the weight and age of the bike. 38lbs is not miserably heavy but everyone else is riding 20lb carbons or 29ers making it difficult to keep up. (i do but it kills me every ride) and everyone agrees that its time for something new.

By the way im looking at perhaps a used Gary Fisher Sugar (maybe a 2), a local shop had one for a good price a month ago and im going to call them monday to see if they still have it.

Its mainly the weight and age of the bike. 38lbs is not miserably heavy but everyone else is riding 20lb carbons or 29ers making it difficult to keep up. (i do but it kills me every ride) and everyone agrees that its time for something new.

You want a 20# bike? Dream on, unless you have the serious cash. I think sub-30# is a reasonable target weight.

You want a 20# bike? Dream on, unless you have the serious cash. I think sub-30# is a reasonable target weight.

I'd say sub 28 is as well.

Its mainly the weight and age of the bike. 38lbs is not miserably heavy but everyone else is riding 20lb carbons or 29ers making it difficult to keep up. (i do but it kills me every ride) and everyone agrees that its time for something new.

...but will it hold up to your aggro riding style?

I know how you feel, I'm 15, and I've needed a new ride for a year. Life is hard (I hear), and if the guy wants to give you his bike for a few days of work, that's lucky. If it would make you feel less guilty, you could even pay him some. Do what you think is right.

...but will it hold up to your aggro riding style?

psssst. Elf is actually Killer B in disguise.

...but will it hold up to your aggro riding style?

What was it, 6 or 8 foot drops? I can't remember.

I'd go the instant gratification route AND TRASH YOUR FRIENDS BIKE AS WELL.

all 14?

What was it, 6 or 8 foot drops? I can't remember.

The suspension is beast but im having climbing problems

You want a 20# bike? Dream on, unless you have the serious cash. I think sub-30# is a reasonable target weight.

No, im just saying thats what the im trying to keep up with, but iv decided to just repair it (despite its the lowest voted for, it just makes sense for the price). I will replace my wheels with some tubeless, get rid of the thick AL seatpost, handlebars, and stem, replace all the bearings, rebuild the headset, and it should be fine for under 300-350.