Mountain Biking - What would you do?

I am just curious, what would you do? Some of my friends were talking and we were trying to decide if Paul (One of my friends) should spend around $600-700 upgrading his trek 4300, or get a whole new bike. I am not asking you guys specificly about this instance, but in general; upgrade, or replace?

Edit: the replaced bike would be around $600-700. Also, sorry if this question makes no sense.

me...personally...i would upgrade. get a whole hell of a lot more bike for $600-700 in upgrades than you do buying a new bike for the same price.

me...personally...i would upgrade. get a whole hell of a lot more bike for $600-700 in upgrades than you do buying a new bike for the same price.

thats what I did for my trek,

thats what I did for my trek,
only cause you broke everything first:innocent:

Thats kinda my thought, but he seems to have his heart set on a new bike. He likes the way the bike handles, so I think its a no brainer, but what do I know. But he does need to act now, because he is turing into cheeto (he broke is RD 2 days ago and his shifters earlyer).

I would get a new bike. The money he'd be spending on upgrades is more than the bike is worth...and more than it was worth new, too. Strip off the pedals and anything else he might want off the old bike, and then sell the 4300. If he's lucky, he might be able to add another $100 or so to his new bike budget. When all is said and done, he can get himself something like a 6000, Piranha, or Rockhopper. And if he waits until all the '09's come out and the shops discount the '08's, he might be able to do even better. Heck of a lot more frame in those bikes than what he has now, and he can always upgrade it later. Or he can keep an eye on Craigslist...some really nice bikes pop up in that budget range now and then.

<1000 upgrade

I would wait for more money to come, as unfun as that sounds. A new bike for $600 doesn't put you much further than what is already there, and reselling a "lower-end" trek doesn't get too much back. I would tell this Paul to look at craigslist if he wants the most for $600-700. Take this, for example. (http://stlouis.craigslist.org/bik/773501846.html)

I would wait for more money to come, as unfun as that sounds. A new bike for $600 doesn't put you much further than what is already there, and reselling a "lower-end" trek doesn't get too much back. I would tell this Paul to look at craigslist if he wants the most for $600-700. Take this, for example. (http://stlouis.craigslist.org/bik/773501846.html)

That is a great deal.

Get a new bike and turn the 4300 into an SS or commuter.

I dont think it really matters that the upgrades are worth more than his bike.

It depends what frame you have. In this instance, no. Trek 4300 is not a high end bike.

The Cannondale that I have, however, is a high-end frame with cheaper parts. The cost was low not because of a bad fork or cheap frame, but a heavy wheelset and crank. Much more worth upgrading. When I am finished I am going to have a 22-23 lb XC bike with a great fork and parts.

There is always the approach to buy the good parts, ride them on the Trek, and transfer them to a nice frame later. Based on the fact your buddy is riding it frequently, this may be the best approach.

he will be here any time now.. .

I will probably buy a trek 6000 or something and keep the 4300 for my Dad to ride. Thanks for posting ca7erham/Friend person.

C'mon Paul. No need for lying in your sig.

The way i roll is buying the nice frame first and then gradually upgrading the parts.

if your buddy is serious into biking, i'd save up for the frame, even if at first you have to slap on crap parts.

at 600-700$, i'd either save (replace what he needs to replace first) for a nice frame + compatible fork, or i'd just upgrade. i wouldn't buy a 700$ bike altogether.

edit:

if he were to drop 600-700$ on upgrades, i'd replace what he needs replaced (r.de + shifters), and then i'd upgrade the parts that may be carried over to the "new" bike (if there is a "new" bike down the path)... like pedals... saddle...

thats what I did for my trek,

+1 for my '05 Trek Fuel EX-8 with all XT components and Juicy 7 brakes.


Get a new bike and turn the 4300 into an SS or commuter.

that's cool to but upgrade wheels to and put city tires on the old rims for a quick change and it can be your "upgraded" comuter to......a win-win situation is what I did.

The way i roll is buying the nice frame first and then gradually upgrading the parts.

if your buddy is serious into biking, i'd save up for the frame, even if at first you have to slap on crap parts.

at 600-700$, i'd either save (replace what he needs to replace first) for a nice frame + compatible fork, or i'd just upgrade. i wouldn't buy a 700$ bike altogether.

edit:

if he were to drop 600-700$ on upgrades, i'd replace what he needs replaced (r.de + shifters), and then i'd upgrade the parts that may be carried over to the "new" bike (if there is a "new" bike down the path)... like pedals... saddle...

That's my thought. Upgrade his current, then get a nicer frame down the road. Maybe he will be here soon again.

What would I do? I wouldn't hang out with Paul in the first place.

For $850 on cragslist I got a used but well maintained K2 Zed Team. Sure, not well known, but a nice, stiff, light frame, Rockshox Sid, Mavic Crossmaxes, full Sram X9, raceface stem and evolve cranks, ritchey pro seatpost and bar. couldn't be happier.

For $850 on cragslist I got a used but well maintained K2 Zed Team. Sure, not well known, but a nice, stiff, light frame, Rockshox Sid, Mavic Crossmaxes, full Sram X9, raceface stem and evolve cranks, ritchey pro seatpost and bar. couldn't be happier.

I started riding in 05 with a brand new Trek 6500. Love the bike, but after I got disc brakes and SRAM on it, I could have bought more bike used. Oh well, it's part of learning.

I started riding in 05 with a brand new Trek 6500. Love the bike, but after I got disc brakes and SRAM on it, I could have bought more bike used. Oh well, it's part of learning.

shouldn't regret buying the bike. that 6500 is the bike that got you into cycling!

I would dye my hair pink, care what ya'll think, maybe buy myself a bigger size ear ring........

What would I do? I wouldn't hang out with Paul in the first place.

I tend to agree. Today he hurt 4 trees with his current bike, and kind of broke a camera (well that was kind of my fault). But riding with him has huge entertainment value