What to do... modify current bike or get new bike?
#1
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2012
Posts: 17
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
What to do... modify current bike or get new bike?
I've really been wanting to get into more riding and I've been debating getting a new hybrid bike (Trek DS or Giant Roam). Currently I have a mid 90s Diamondback Traverse MTB that I haven't ridden much in the last few years. It is in beautiful condition but has mountain tires. I figure I can change those out to a more road friendly tire and maybe upgrade to some nicer grips, possibly change out the fork with lockout suspension. I'm sure I'd probably find something else to do once I got into it, but those are the things that I can think of right off hand.
Most of my riding is on pavement or dirt roads but would like to get into more trail rides. Since I've never really "upgraded" a bike, is this a smart move to do or should I just look to sell it and get a new DS or Roam (or other)??
Most of my riding is on pavement or dirt roads but would like to get into more trail rides. Since I've never really "upgraded" a bike, is this a smart move to do or should I just look to sell it and get a new DS or Roam (or other)??
#2
S'Cruzer
if you want to get into more trail riding, you'd be better off with a mountain bike. maybe keep your mountain bike, and get a more road oriented hybrid for your paved-mostly riding ? I'm not a fan of suspension forks on inexpensive bikes, they just aren't that good. a decent mountain bike fork is like $600-1000 alone. not worth doing that to your old bike (if the Traverse is what I think it is, its a steel frame, non-suspended, low end mountain bike with Altus or Tourney 3x6 drivechain).
#3
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2012
Posts: 17
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
And that is why I came here to ask. I want to get into biking more and want to learn and figured this might be the place to ask. I was thinking upgrading might not be worth it on the bike but I figured it wouldn't hurt to ask. You hit it on the head with the model the bike is (low end, steel frame, etc).
Any trails I do around here (Michigan) aren't much more than just trails in the woods with a few small hills and roots that I'd be bouncing over. Wish there was more around, but that's just what I am stuck with. Anyway... I'd personally rather have 1 single bike to do all my riding, so I am just trying to figure out my best bet on which route to go.
Any trails I do around here (Michigan) aren't much more than just trails in the woods with a few small hills and roots that I'd be bouncing over. Wish there was more around, but that's just what I am stuck with. Anyway... I'd personally rather have 1 single bike to do all my riding, so I am just trying to figure out my best bet on which route to go.
#5
DancesWithSUVs
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Griffin Cycle Bethesda,MD
Posts: 6,983
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 7 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 2 Times
in
2 Posts
A hardtail bike will be an asset for riding off road. My $.02,swap the tires on your current bike and use it for on-road,get one of the bikes you're looking at and use it for off-road. The low end forks aren't that bad;you're not riding at the competitive level. Really,as long as it has a lockout and at least a preload adjustment,it's fine for the street,and if you're going off-road you really won't need the lockout.
__________________
C'dale BBU('05 and '09)/Super Six/Hooligan8and 3,Kona Dew Deluxe,Novara Buzz/Safari,Surly Big Dummy,Marin Pt Reyes,Giant Defy 1,Schwinn DBX SuperSport,Dahon Speed Pro TT,Brompton S6L/S2E-X
C'dale BBU('05 and '09)/Super Six/Hooligan8and 3,Kona Dew Deluxe,Novara Buzz/Safari,Surly Big Dummy,Marin Pt Reyes,Giant Defy 1,Schwinn DBX SuperSport,Dahon Speed Pro TT,Brompton S6L/S2E-X
#6
S'Cruzer
If you go hybrid and want to do limited off road riding on mostly hard pack surfaces, then I'd suggest a hybrid with 700x38 tires.