Originally Posted by
SkyDog75
There is another option: Spend nothing at all and use the perfectly functional v-brakes the bike came with.
What do you hope to gain by swapping out your current brakes for discs? You may note I didn't use the word "upgrade", as disc brakes have pros and cons when compared to other braking systems.
That was my thought. I am a big proponent of keeping what you have until you are ready for a big upgrade. Less than 500 miles is barely broken in. IMO, the 8.2 isn't an upgrade at all over what you have. A DOWNGRADE in most respects, if you look closely at the specs. 8.3 is mostly just a lateral move. Basically, an updated version of the kaitai but with mechanical disc brakes instead of V brakes, which is maybe an upgrade, but only a very slight one. Trading in a 3 year old NOS bike for a brand new entry level trail bike doesn't make much sense. IMO, you really aren't upgrading much until you get to the 8.5DS, which does have hydraulic discs, better fork, and upgraded 9 speed drivetrain, but that will cost you north of $1,000 retail.