Hey everyone. I need some advice on how to spend money. :-)

I bought a 2004 Specialized Rockhopper last year and have ridden the piss out of it since then. The last few months, not so much because of a busy work schedule and it was pouring down rain, but all that is over. Summer is here and it's time to ride. The deal is, my bike needs some work. I guess I'm considered a large rider (6'4" / 205#) and some of the components don't like the abuse. When I say abuse, I don't mean 5' drops, but I ride the bike hard and fast. The wheels constantly need truing (ALEXRIMS DM20) and the I've had constant problems with the bottom bracket clicking under load. I've already changed out the OE Tektro V-brakes for some Shimano LX V-brakes.

As the bike sits, I, if I chose to upgrade, would spend about $700+. This would be for a Marz. Marathon S 130mm fork, Rhyno Lite Rims w/ XT hubs, Panaracer Fire XC tires, and I'd really like to go to the Avid mechanical disc brake setup. I've felt, even with the LX vee's, that I'm not going to stop. I'm not a hardcore downhiller, but I like speed... :-)

So, I've been looking at options. It seems silly to upgrade a $450 bike with $700+ of components. Although, I love the bike and it takes my abuse with ease, but the components are what I have a problem with. Like I said, the wheels are weak. Anytime I turn, the rim flexes and contacts the brakes. The bottom bracket clicks like crazy under load. The front der. does not shift with ANY load on it despite repeat adjustment attempts. The tires blow and are worn out. The fork doesn't seem to absorb bumps all that well, but I'm sure it does more than I think.

I've been looking at bikes a little out of my budget, but don't mind paying for quality. I think it's between the Stumpjumper FSR Expert 120 (2005 @ LBS for $2400) and the Santa Cruz Blur (2004 @ LBS for $2900). The Santa Cruz obviously is the better pick, for $500 more... but before we get into that....

Is it worth throwing money into the 'hopper? What would you do in my shoes? I've got bills, so either way, it's going to be thrown down on a credit card (with a decent interest rate, however, and I'm able to make pretty hefty payments). The FSR Expert is at a BS with a 0% financing for 12 months offer (Supergo). No such offer on the Santa Cruz. Either way, biking this summer is gonna cost some bread...

What would you do? What other bikes should I consider, for maybe a little less? Say, under $2000.

Thanks!

If you have the money go for the Santa Cruz!

If not, try and find a cheaper alternative..im just not sure id put that much into a bike that i paid half as much for

Just remember that with things like rims and even disc brakes, you can easily remove them and use them when you want a new bike. So the cost you spend on parts like that isn't 'just for that bike', you can use it on probably any bike you get. Or atleast as backups.
Just remember to save your old parts, so if you want to sell it you can put the orginal stuff back.
I really think any of those options sound good, it depends on the money you have.

Why not look into gettin a little less expensive FS. Like the entry level FSR or one of the XC's..

I hate to spend money I don't have and don't recommed the credit card route.

Why give that money to a credit card company, they already have tons of it?

I'd upgrade the bike, then save your money and buy a frame and swap the newer parts over.

Well, I couldn't help going out yesterday to check out some more bikes. Stopped at Supergo and took a look at the Specialized Stumpjumper FSR (expert, 120mm) in an XL. Nice bike. $2400 ($200 off right now).

I hate credit cards too, they can be helpful at times. Almost every bank is giving away a credit card with 0% for 12 even 15 months, right now. So, I would use it and pay it off before the intro APR is over and wham, I've got a bike. I think I'm going to take advantage of their 0% financing at the store. The Santa Cruz, with no option to finance (unless it's through a credit card), and $500+ more... I think I'll go with the specialized. Plus, owning this rockhopper has been a good experience and it has held up much more reliabily than I would have expected for a 'low-end' bike.

Girlfriend broke up with me today, so no more dates/dinners/gifts, so that definitely helps out! :-P

Thanks guys

People are fickle, as hard as you can work on a relationship it can still tank. With proper maintenance bikes are resaonably faithful:beer: