So I've been using my sisters bike for over 7 years now, as I've been growing her bike as turned into something small to me as my friends say. I'm not sure, I've been trying to learn more about sizes and what suits me. This bike is now over 10 years old, Its a GT Avalanche 3.0 from its time (Imgur: The most awesome images on the Internet) Has done a great job so far but it requires brake changes and a new chain. Not sure if I should replace them or buy a new bike. I've been doing around 10 kilometers twice a week with it, 2 km off road and 8 km on pavement, city, roads. I use it to dislocate from my activities to home and so on. When going downhill with it on a road around 40-50 km/h Im pretty scared with it, seems to be a bit fragile nowadays. What do you guys think? Time for a small investment on a hybrid bike or a upgrade. Thanks for your help

Ok, my general advice would be, I think you should repair the GT as it is your sisters bike but it sounds like you wore it out. I think that is just good manners. Second, start saving up for a new bike, The GT is a mountain bike, but I suppose you want to get something a bit more for the street like a hybrid. There are a few good hybrids out there, Trek fx series, DS series and Specialized Crosstrail, and Cannondale all make hybrids, I have the Trek DS 8.6, but I had the 8.3 before, the 8.3 has disk brakes and front shock, it is a good value.

I would list out some things that are Must haves to help narrow things down, for example are front shocks a must have? are disc brakes a must have? I guess these depend on the type of riding you would be doing, asphalt, 2km off road and 8km on pavement, is that all? 40-50km, wow that is flying, I would think disc brakes would be a requirement, and probably the shock on the front. and some tires that will be good at that speed, aka not knobbies. Also is theft an issue? you may want to get something not too flashy. that is the one thing with my 8.6ds I am afraid to leave it out of my sight.

good luck with your search. I am sure some other forum members will have some good advice.

Well repair isnt needed acutally, since she bought the bike 10 years ago she is 26 now.. Anyways disk brakes and front shocks are a must have, I usually go really fast, since where I live is the elevated part of the city I sometimes have to overcome some obstacles when drivers are careless. What about bike size, Im around 1,7 meters tall.. Theft issue is non existant, must of the times I take care of my bike like it was family so always under sight. About options I've seen some websites of the local retailers and they have cannondale, specialized and someothers but I don't think they have a big variety. I've actually been interested in two bikes from specialized since they are just around my budget, The Crosstrail you mentioned and one of the rockhopper series. Anyways would love to hear all of your suggestions and tips.