Bicycle Mechanics - to upgrade or replace?

this is my first post so please bear with me


i have a semi low range mtb its a huffy (im a tad shamful) however it has an all aluminum frame minus the fork and aluminum rims its also a 21 speed. i thinks its a pritty good bike. however i think i have a bad barring in the rear hub. so i was thinking about getting a new upgraded hub and gearset and installing it and then maybe start up upgrading other parts as i go i.e. brakes, shifters, derailers and the rest of the drivetrain. is it worth it? i am very mechanicly inclined and dont have any worries about doing the work. i just dont want o throw good money after bad. i figured if i can keep my costs low that i should try and go this route. but being a "green" rider i know i dont have any good answers

i was looking at the shimano parallax or rm-40 hubs and a shimano gearset either 14-28 or 14-34. i know right now i dont need a high tooth count on my second option but since they are so close in price i figured it my not hurt to have it. right now i mostly do road riding but would like to eventually move to some trails.

if i were to go the replacing route i think my budget would be no more than $400. but i would have to take some time and save this. i have read some of the posts and noticed the the trek, specialized and gary fisher bikes would be a good place to start. i have not gone to my lbs cause i know i will impulse buy and really want to wait till i have the cash in had. also i dont know a good bike shop on long island, anyone have any suggestions? i live isn western suffork and work in central nassau so anything in the range will work for me. thanks in advance for the help

rick

Save up the $400 and buy yourself a new bike from the bike shop. The Huffy frame really isn't worth upgrading.

Specialized Hardrock or Rockhopper or a Trek 4300/4500/4700 would be great starting points.

Mechanically inclined or not, you need a lot of bike specific tools to work properly on a bike, which is something to consider. The Huffy is DEFINATELY not worth upgrading at all. If the rear wheel is bad a replacement will run about $40, get that and ride it until you have money for a nicer bike.

thats what i figured. i guess its for the best. now should i look for a used bike or new? i have found in other items that i may get more for my money with used equipment. is this the same for bikes? if im looking for used what should i look for? any years to stay away from? should i only look for something a year or two old? is there anything i should stay away from?

I would avoid used... you get no warranty and don't know whats wrong with the bike, and no free service from a shop. For what you save I don't think its worth it.

don't upgrade, buy yourself a new bike, you deserve it

thats what i figured. i guess its for the best. now should i look for a used bike or new? i have found in other items that i may get more for my money with used equipment. is this the same for bikes? if im looking for used what should i look for? any years to stay away from? should i only look for something a year or two old? is there anything i should stay away from?

Used can be a viable route if you know exactly what you are getting and how to evaluate it. That means research. If you just want to ride, maybe a new bike is the way to go.

Buy tools and learn to fix your Huffy. First get the tools for removing the sprockets and the cone wrenches, so you can grease and adjust your wheel bearings. A set of hex wrenches and a spoke wrench will also be needed for general adjustments. Buy more specialized tools only when you need them. These tools will last a lifetime and will make the Huffy last till you can get the bike you want. If you know all about fixing bikes, buying a used one should be no problem as you will be able to recognize the good from the bad.

Buy tools and learn to fix your Huffy. ... Buy more specialized tools only when you need them. These tools will last a lifetime and will make the Huffy last till you can get the bike you want. If you know all about fixing bikes, buying a used one should be no problem as you will be able to recognize the good from the bad.

If I were in your position, this would be my course of action.

If I were in your position, this would be my course of action.

i think i may go in this direction. i have the tools i need to do the work. you think i could reuse the bearrings i have or i should get new ones? i guess ill just have to pull it apart and do it to find out. whats the normal (and first timers) timeframe to do this? i would rather not be down too long without my bike.

what size should i be looking for? im 5'8" 165lbs. i was thinking maybe a 19" im prietty sure thats what im riding now but i dont even know if that was the right size

I second the recommendation to start learning to fix your Huffy, then as you get better at working on stuff, you can consider buying a good used bike.. Of course, if you start to enjoy working on bikes, most of your money may start going into that habit..

Although, all our glib recommendations to learn to fix your bike are easier said than done.. It's certainly best if you can hook up with other people who know some stuff and are willing to share.. So maybe check out these folks:
<http://www.lifreespace.org/freewheel/>

They're a group that is working on setting up a publicly-accessible repair shop where you can use their tools and learn bike maintenance. I have no experience with these folks personally; but I'm involved in a similar project here in New Orleans and I know of many around the country, and they seem to be a good way to get started in wrenching without getting overwhelmed.

If you have a good experience with them, PM me and let me know.

Good luck.
Y.

New bike, that is the way to go.

what size should i be looking for? im 5'8" 165lbs. i was thinking maybe a 19" im prietty sure thats what im riding now but i dont even know if that was the right size

actually, for a mountain bike, I would recommend a 17" at the biggest, maybe even a 16. Mountain bikes are designed with a longer top tube proportional to the seattube so that there is more room for your junk if you have to get off quick. a 19" is too big for me, and I'm 6'1".

i think i may go in this direction. i have the tools i need to do the work. you think i could reuse the bearrings i have or i should get new ones? i guess ill just have to pull it apart and do it to find out. whats the normal (and first timers) timeframe to do this? i would rather not be down too long without my bike.

I'd recommend a little more caution on this route. Even if you are doing them yourself and you have the tools, repairs can be costly in parts. You don't want to put much money in a Huffy.

That said, at some point you'll need to replace all components that wear. That means bearings, brake pads, chain, freehub, cables and housings. Since it is a Huffy, sooner rather than later. Also, your wheels are likely tensioned poorly. Some of these items will be more critical than others depending upon their condition.

I would recommend getting a used bike. You should be able to get a decent bike for around $200. It won't be anything fancy but it will be a lot better then what you have and worth putting a little time and money into repairing when it needs it. When looking at a used bike check for things like loose bearings in the wheels, bottom bracket, headset, and even the pedals. Also spin the wheels and make sure it is not wobbling all over the place. Small problems likely can be fixed but if there is major problems it may require replacing parts and that gets expensive.

I would recommend used as well. Bikes are pretty expensive new and you can pick up some good used buys. There are deals out there you just have to be more cautious and informed when buying used than you do when buying new.

no one has mention cannondale. is it cause its too high end for me now or cause its overrated? just wondering

I can't say I really like Cannondales... they aren't really any better than any other bike IMHO, and have some drawbacks in that they use proprietary technology that isn't very easy to service/upgrade.

thanks for the info seely. any opinion on the gary fisher bikes?

I ride a '97 F1000 and love it. Great bike. Cannondale are pretty nice but in the entry level space there are better values to be had.