Mountain Biking - 2009 Trek 4500 Upgrade Advice

Hello!

I recently purchased a 2009 Trek 4500. After a few weeks of riding, I have decided that I would like to upgrade the seat, and possibly switch out the v-breaks for disc breaks.

I'm looking to spend about one hundred to one hundred and fifty dollars on each, so that would be a total of two to three hundred for both the new seat and disc breaks. Apart from that, my only condition is that the seat must retain the same style and profile as the stock seat.

Any recommendations?

Thanks guys, I appreciate your help a lot.

Are your hubs disc ready on the rims? If not you will need to buy new rims to mount the disk rotors. That will consume your 200-300 bucks right there for a good set of rims or just the hubs and have a bike shop rebuild yours.

Do you have the disc mounts on the frame and front fork to mount the Calipers? If not you will have to have a bike shop add those to.

If your bike is disc ready check these out http://www.pricepoint.com/detail/15076-115_AVDBB6-3-Parts-158-Brakes/Disc/Avid-BB7-Disc-Brake---Mechanical-185-203mm-2008.htm

For the seat http://www.jensonusa.com/store/product/SA289A01-Wtb+Rocket+V+Saddle+Oe.aspx

Go ahead and upgrade the seat. Be comfortable.
Disc brakes would require different hubs, and therefore, wheels. You could probably do this for under $300 if you tried.
But a $300 upgrade on a new MSRP $689.99 bike?
Are you dissatisfied with the V-brakes in some way?
Disc brakes are not always better.

If money's burning a hole in your pocket, consider clipless pedals/shoes (if you haven't already).
That would be an ideal upgrade for the 4500.

The 2010 4500 comes with disc brakes http://trekdg.com/itemdetails.cfm?libid=57866 so you could see if you could get a set of the 2010 OE rims and put them on yours to, that may save you some money .

Go ahead and upgrade the seat. Be comfortable.
Disc brakes would require different hubs, and therefore, wheels. You could probably do this for under $300 if you tried.
But a $300 upgrade on a new MSRP $689.99 bike?
Are you dissatisfied with the V-brakes in some way?
Disc brakes are not always better.

If money's burning a hole in your pocket, consider clipless pedals/shoes (if you haven't already).
That would be an ideal upgrade for the 4500.

The seat is my priority right now.

As for disc breaks, it was more of an idea than a need. I've had one or two friends criticize the fact I have v-breaks. I understand that I am a novice and therefore am prone to being influenced one way or another by friends, so if you and other members here feel that upgrading my brakes on an entry level bike like mine is unnecessary, then I am open to your advice.

As for the money, I don't necessarily have it on hand. It was more of a point at which I was willing to save out of my next paycheck.

There is nothing wrong with v-brakes unless you are going in alot of mud. The tend not to work as well when the rims braking surface is really wet or muddy. Disc brakes also work better on big downhills they just have better stopping power. Dont worry about your v-brakes or what your friends have to say , just ride your bike and have fun.

Seriously, your friends may not know what's best for you.
Get clipped in and drop the hammer on them.

V-Brakes work great when they're set up well. Your "friends" are just trying to get you to spend money needlessly. :)

I'd agree with the clipless pedal/shoe route after you get the new seat. They're a wonderful thing!

Linear pull brakes are just fine for most applications. If you don't have the hubs, I probably wouldn't bother with upgrading to discs, although you might think about picking up some XT V's as a solid upgrade, as well as some Koolstop pads.

AND IT'S BRAKES! B-R-A-K-E-S!

Seat, shoes and pedals and koolstop pads all sound like great upgrades to me. Koolstop salmon pads can be had for 12-20 bucks and make a world of difference, especially when riding in ****ty conditions.

Seat, shoes and pedals and koolstop pads all sound like great upgrades to me. Koolstop salmon pads can be had for 12-20 bucks and make a world of difference, especially when riding in ****ty conditions.

Are these what you're referring to?

http://www.bicyclebuys.com/item/1405514

Seriously, your friends may not know what's best for you.
Get clipped in and drop the hammer on them.

What would you recommend as far as clipped-in goes?

What would you recommend as far as clipped-in goes?

I've always gone with a Shimano SPD or similar.
I'm currently on Ritchey SPD clones. 10 years of use.
As for the shoes, the fit is the thing. Good stiffness in the sole, and comfortable yet cradling the foot solidly. My favourites have been ones that have straps over the laces for maximum adjustability (Lakes).

Are these what you're referring to?

http://www.bicyclebuys.com/item/1405514

Yes. Also, I like Crank Bros pedals FWIW. They're the best pedals for mud.

Best investment you can make at this point is clipless and shoes....