I am a biking newbie but having fun with my new hobby. I've been wanting to get a second bike as a play bike. My first bike is a commuter. This second bike is for the trails. I live near mountain canyons, and there's a lot of trails I want to explore. The trails I'm going on with this bike are generally very rocky, gravely. A lot of steep climbs as well.

I wanted to find full suspension, fit for my size, and cheap enough that it would be low risk to experiment. If I hate it or don't use it much, no big deal. If I love it, then I can start investing and upgrading or trading it in for a better bike.

I picked up the perfect bike. It's a 2002 Trek Fuel 80. Very old but seems to be almost new condition. Everything on the bike appears to be original when I check with this spec.

*I tried to include link to the spec at bicycle blue book but wasn't able to* but googling "2002 Trek Fuel 80" it comes up.

Bontrager Jones AC tires, which don't have great reviews, but meeting my expectations, which right now basically are that I can ride on lots of bumpy stuff without getting a flat.

The gears and brakes aren't perfect but do the job.

Seat is comfortable for my use and everything fits, which is not easy for me to find in the used market, at 6'3.

Shocks are working above my expectation for what I paid for this bike (almost free). I see small amount of oil residue on the rear shock, but I don't think is a big concern, right?

I've now experimented for a few weeks and it's a huge pass. I love mountain biking so far. I love taking it on aggressive trails. I want to take on more challenges, as far as steep climbs up the side of the mountains here, or really bumpy, aggressive trails. I'm in for the long haul. And ready to invest to enhance the experience.

Question for y'all.

Should I invest in this bike? If so, what would you look at upgrading? Tires? I'm having issues with traction, but I don't know if it's my technique, the tires, or simply I'm taking on difficult trails. I don't like the pedals. Maybe that?

Or, is this bike simply too old and it's better I sell this bike for a profit in the used market, and then step up and buy a more expensive (maybe $500 - $800 range?) used bike that will be a better bike to start from?