General Cycling Discussion - New Bike or Upgrade Old

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q6o0
07-10-08, 06:05 AM
Hi,

I'm looking at either upgrading my old bike or buying a new one. I have about $500 to spend on either the upgrade or a new one.

Here are the specs on the old one:

1996 Giant Sedona with Specialized front shocks. Yes I know it is old. But mostly in great shape. Frame is light, which I really like.

what I know I would need to upgrade:
1) brakes (new v-brakes)
2) shifters and brake levers
3) derailleurs
4) new chain
5) new rear sprockets
6) new front sprockets

Hopefully that is all. Would I end up with a better bike for my same money on upgrades of old or on purchasing a new?

Thanks!

cs1
07-10-08, 08:23 AM
It's going to be cheaper in the long run to buy a new bike. I don't see the Giant as being collectible or having any kind of special frame. IMO, sell the bike and put the proceeds with your $500 for a new bike. Good luck

Tim
ablang
07-12-08, 12:35 PM
If you plan to lock up your bike in public, I'd say keep the old bike.

If you ride for pleasure but not lock up, buy the new bike.

BarracksSi
07-12-08, 07:05 PM
If you plan to lock up your bike in public, I'd say keep the old bike.

If you ride for pleasure but not lock up, buy the new bike.

And that means to buy the new bike and keep the old bike. ;)

As far as the old bike goes, does it need upgrading, or just repair?
Nightshade
07-13-08, 08:51 AM
Hi,

I'm looking at either upgrading my old bike or buying a new one. I have about $500 to spend on either the upgrade or a new one.

Here are the specs on the old one:

1996 Giant Sedona with Specialized front shocks. Yes I know it is old. But mostly in great shape. Frame is light, which I really like.

what I know I would need to upgrade:
1) brakes (new v-brakes)
2) shifters and brake levers
3) derailleurs
4) new chain
5) new rear sprockets
6) new front sprockets

Hopefully that is all. Would I end up with a better bike for my same money on upgrades of old or on purchasing a new?

Thanks!

Go ahead and 'customize' the old girl if you want to. All that matters is that you're happy
with the result. That's the nice thing about bicycles, you can have fun, make mistakes, learn and
still not go to the poor farm. What, I ask you, can be wrong with that?

Any dummy can buy new. It takes a special person to see possiblites. :thumb: