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upgrade from 2002 trek 4300?

Old 04-16-05, 08:13 PM
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upgrade from 2002 trek 4300?

Hi,this is my first time posting and I apoligize in advance if I don't use the proper terminology. I got a trek 4300, new in 2002. I have used it off and on for short rides to work and short trail rides. I am female, 5'9" and large framed. I sometimes get frustrated with the shifting on my bike, especially the front and I'm not sure if it just needs a tune up. I did a little reading and it sounds like it may be weakness of the bike. Also, the bike is a little heavy for me, I have the 17.5" frame. Basically, I want something low maintenance that can get up some hills. I was thinking of an upgrade to a trek 6500 or 6700. I don't have disc brakes now, should I get them? Please help me, I am not mechanically inclined, but am very interested in advice. Thanks for your time!
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Old 04-16-05, 09:20 PM
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I have two Trek 4300's. One is an 03 and the other an 04. I will soon have 10,000 miles on them so i can tell you they are good bikes. Bad shifting is not a symptom of any particular bike. It is a symptom of a bike that needs to have it's derailleur adjusted, cables replaced etc. It is not the bike's fault, so to speak.

A trek 6700 will get you a better, lighter frame and better components. It will also cost you more. As far as discs, that is up to you. I don't like them, as they cost a fair amount and it takes money away from components.
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Old 04-16-05, 10:55 PM
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Originally Posted by Ranger
A trek 6700 will get you a better, lighter frame and better components. It will also cost you more. As far as discs, that is up to you. I don't like them, as they cost a fair amount and it takes money away from components.
Discs can always be added later and they can be very beneficial. Go ahead and get the 6700 and later you can upgrade the wheelset and brakes
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Old 04-18-05, 07:14 PM
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Thanks for the help. I am starting with taking my bike in for a tune up this week. Are there any upgrades that it would be smart to get? My understanding is that the frame is good enought to be worth upgrading, but that is only what I've read. I just want to have some ideas when I go to the bike shop. Maybe I can pretend that I'm not clueless.
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Old 04-18-05, 07:23 PM
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Originally Posted by bistro
Thanks for the help. I am starting with taking my bike in for a tune up this week. Are there any upgrades that it would be smart to get? My understanding is that the frame is good enought to be worth upgrading, but that is only what I've read. I just want to have some ideas when I go to the bike shop. Maybe I can pretend that I'm not clueless.
I think most will tell you that frame isn't worth upgrading. IOW, it probably doesn't make a lot of sense to dump a LOT of money of a bike of that category that is 3 years old. With that said, i don't usually listen to that sort of stuff and do my own thing.

I have upgraded parts on my 4300's as they wear out. I also do my own repair work so that makes it quite a bit cheaper. So sure, go ahead and upgrade things but i would wait until they wear out. One exception is the saddle. If you have the original saddle, those things are junk. I ditched both of mine and bought Brooks saddles. They are the most comfortable thing going. Search the forums or go here for confirmation of that.
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Old 04-18-05, 11:52 PM
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Only upgrade if a part is broken and as for getting a new bike, only if you are ready to ride harder and more often. If it is only for work or short rides you might not need a higher end bike. Also start learning how to work on your bike, how all the parts work and what it takes to adjust them: deraileurs, brakes, truing the rim, adjusting the shifters and whatever else there is to accomodate your riding preference.
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Old 04-19-05, 05:13 AM
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I have a 2002 4300 as well and reckon the frame's just fine. I've upgraded the components over the years to now, a complete Deore groupset.

If you just replace the front mech with a Deore model, complete with new cables (inner and outer) you'll notice a great improvement.

To lighten the bike, I'd suggest thinking about getting a new set of wheels and tires. When I got some Bontrager Select wheels and AC folders, the bike just took off.

Finally, disc brakes are a lot heavier and expensive than standard vees. Discs are efficient whether dry or wet or especially when the wheels' covered in mud. Vees work fine except for the latter. So unless you have difficulties slowing down I'd suggest you dismiss disc brakes for now, perhaps just upgrade the brake pads to cartridge ones.
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Old 04-19-05, 05:50 AM
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Thank you so much, now I have a plan for when I go in for a tune up. I will check out new saddles, find out about replacing the front mech w/ Deore, and maybe next time check out new wheels/tires when my tires are more worn. The trail right by my house is rated intermediate, tons of rocky, rooty hills, and several hills that I usually end up pushing my bike up. I know it's mostly b/c I'm not in good enough shape, but that's the main reason I was wondering about upgrades....beginner biker on intermediate trail...and I don't like not making it up hills! I noticed that the new trek 4300's are alpha sl and I think mine is just alpha. Is that much difference? Thanks for all the great help.
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Old 04-19-05, 07:37 AM
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Don't think there's much difference weight-wise with the Alpha and Alpha-SL (my 4300 frame is about 4.2lbs v. my 8000 SL of 3.7lbs).

The components upgrade should make a whole lot of difference and when you replace the rear cassette to something like 12-34 you'd also have a lower gear to get up the hills, too

Also, better forks would improve the handling (especially if you're still using the original InSync stock forks) and shave off more weight. I've got RockShox Pilot SLs and they're great.

You'd be flying up the hills soon!
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