Mountain Biking - Upgrade bike or drivetrain?

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madfx
03-10-12, 04:39 PM
Pretty New to mtn biking, been just a roadie, I bought a 2011 hard rock sport 29er, great shape on CL for 400$, really like offroad riding, I'm looking to upgrade the stock drivetrain and maybe the wheels, local guy bought a 2009 cdale 29er 2 as a leftover mid 2011, rode with us a few times, not into it, sticking to the road , he's looking to sell the cdale for 875$ about 1/2 what he has into it, ( added pedals , seat, shoes etc) he's firm on that price.

I've riden it and like the lefty alot, it's a sweet bike, and I'm thinking, would I be better off buying his and flipping my hard rock or putting a few hundred into my hardrock ?

Thinking with the cdale all I would eventually do it dump the triple crank?

Any opinions either way?

Zephyr11
03-10-12, 06:47 PM
Cannondale what 29er 2? Flash? Scalpel? Something else?
madfx
03-10-12, 07:05 PM
It's a Caffeine

Zephyr11
03-11-12, 05:56 PM
Double-check the year. I can't find a 2009 Caffeine on Bikepedia. I did find a 2007 though: http://bikepedia.com/QuickBike/BikeSpecs.aspx?Year=2007&Brand=Cannondale&Model=Caffeine%2029'er&Type=bike

If it fits and is in good condition (and you actually like the Lefty), I'd do it. I'd probably call him out on the year and use that as a bargaining point (I know you said he's firm...but he also is under the impression it is a 2009, which it may not be).

If, on the other hand, you choose to upgrade the Hardrock, I'd probably upgrade fork before I played with wheels and drivetrain. I think you'll notice a bigger difference in the ride with that particular upgrade.
ESW116
03-11-12, 10:04 PM
I own a hardrock and have been upgrading it. It actually has a good strong frame. I've banged on it hard and it basically just shrugs it off. I want a new fork first, for sure. I've already upgraded the brakes to very nice shimano discs. Fork will probably be something like a manitou circus 80 mm, or if I see a good deal on ebay - something along those lines, nothing crazy. THEN drivetrain.

Also: wheels and tires too. Going to be a big difference there.