New bike or just upgrade?
 

So I have an '06 GF Marlin, and I just got into the sport about a year ago. I've really gotten into it and enjoy all the tough trails here, but I'm still pretty noobie when it comes to parts.

It rained recently, and I realized riding through the muddy/watery areas that the v-brakes weren't cutting it when the rims got wet/muddy. So I picked up a set of IRD dual-bangers. Great brakes by the way.

Now I've got the upgrade itch, and I keep scratching it! I've been considering doing a whole string of upgrades - 8speed to 9speed (both derailleurs, rear cassette, chain, shifters.. I think I can keep the front crank/gears... right?) and a new fork.

I was considering getting a Pike. I'm 6'5 and weigh in around 205, so I need spring coil instead of air right? What's the difference between the Tora and Pike?

I was thinking about just going all XT on the drivetrain parts I wanted to upgrade. Any better parts for the same prices out there?



Now for the question pertaining to the topic - After telling my cousin(he's been riding for longer than I've been potty trained... well that's an exaggeration) about these string of upgrades I wanted to do, he suggested that I just get a whole new bike. All that upgrades I plan to do will be like ~800 bucks or more on a 550 dollar bike. So he thinks putting more money than the bike's worth is a dumb idea. However, the marlin has the same frame that those high end fishers use so why should I spend 1000+ on a new bike when I can get my current frame to a point where it's way better than that expensive stock fisher. Should I get a new bike or do the upgrades?

I don't think I want anything other than the genesis geometry so that's why I'm only talkin fishers here. Maybe I should get a 29er... I don't know I'm confused.

Sounds Like im in the same boat as you. What to do what to do. Heck I dont even know what is good things to upgrade too.

Beer helps :D

If you like your frame, upgrade. Of course, be aware that as soon as you get all these nifty upgrades on your beautiful Marlin, you'll probably decide that the frame itself is just too darn heavy....

I'd say upgrade. $900 bucks won't get you a bike with an aggressive fork like a pike. You need to spend close to 2k for a bike with decent 9spd, pike and disc brakes. When you upgrade, you are customizing a bike to fit the way you want, plus later down the line when you don't like your frame any more, just buy a frame and transfer all the upgraded parts to the new frame. When you upgrade, get quailty parts that will last.

Frankly I don't like 9spd on the MTB, I had alot of shifting probs that I went back to 8speed. Most of the gears ratios are repeated so no benifit to having more of the same gears.

try SRAM X.9, you can get it cheap and the 1:1 ratio makes gives it awesome performance, IMO. Just upgrade and later on when you decide you don't like your frame anymore, you can upgrade your frame and switch all the parts you like over to the new frame.

go for the new bike. sounds like you want to upgrade a lot, which is going to be $$. why not put that towards a new bike? and if you think you can't swing the extra cheese for a whole new rig, well that's what credit cards are for...right? :rolleyes:

I would say rather than getting a 9spd, perhaps just get another 8spd with a wider range, like a smaller small cog up to a bigger big cog, so you get a better range of gears but still don't get shifting problems that can happen with a 9 spd. as far as upgrades, perhaps try to only upgrade when stuff breaks, what kind of fork do you have now?

edit: unless there's a ton of stuff that you absolutely have to have, then maybe go for a new bike

Upgrade. Why spend thousands to save ounces if you're completely into it.

upgrade. make your bike custom to your personal riding style and what you want on a bike. and upgrading is a lot more fun than buying a new bike from the LBS. it is more personal and you get to know your machine better. also, if you buy all your parts from your LBS, they will get to know you more and see that you are interested in the sport. don't be afraid to ask if they have any parts from test bikes or there own they are willing to get rid of. one of the employees at my lbs helped me overhaul my bike this summer, and offered me a pair of juicy breaks and a new wheel set with new rotors for 300!

All - though I didn't ask the question, I appreciate the feedback b/c I'm in the same boat with my Trek 3700. I've already done a bit of work and plan to buy a Cannondale Rush next year (I'm saving $$ b/c credit cards and debt are evil despite advice above to the contrary) but intend to keep my hardtail for tooling around with my kids as well.

I'm going to Shimano M545 pedals this weekend but am debating my next upgrade, either brakes or BB and crank.

Again - thanks.

I couldn't agree more!!! Especially on the 8-speed stuff. I try to buy N.O.S. 8-speed stuff whenever I can.

Your frame is a decent enough frame. Unless you're going to start racing at the Elite or Professional level, it'll do everything you want it to.

For $900 you'll have a bike with a so-so fork and so-so components. For $900 you'll have a great fork and some great upgrades on a decent frame!

I'd buy a new fork, and some new wheels. If you've got money left over, buy a new set of cranks.

Also, I guess I'm a bit of a curmudgeon, but I'd buy closeout '06 stuff. The '07 stuff isn't significantly different and you buy the '06 stuff for a fraction of the cost.

I had to get new wheels for disc brakes. Picked up some XT hubs with sun rims.

Now I'm trying to decide what fork to buy. I'm looking at the Tora 318, probably a coil since I weigh over 200 lbs. Anything better out there for the same price or a little more? I could spend in the 400s if I really needed to.

Some of us aren't that worried about how heavy our bikes are so that may not be an issue. An upgrade to a nice fork will be a big improvement. My son runs a X9 8 speed set up and it works great. Upgrade one thing at a time and you can see how big of an improvement certain parts make.

Look at a few here......http://www.jensonusa.com/store/sub/138-Forks.aspx
You may find a good deal on something in your price range. I prefer the feel of a coil over the feel of an air fork. Everyone's looking for something different.

Then pike might not work with that bike. Email gary fisher and ask about the max amount of travel you can run on the marlin.

If I got a fork with more travel than the bike can handle, I'd probably get the coil version and adjust the travel to be 100mm.

I'd upgrade if I were in you're shoes. The frame is good, and your plans sound better than getting new bike and wasting the old frame. Weight isn't an issue especially if you don't race in a professional league. My bike frame is a cromoly dual suspension, and thats heavy. As long as your bike can do its job, then thats a good bike

You can buy the 2006 stuff for cheap, 2007 isn't too different.

SRAM or Shimano, it depends what you want, but everyone says SRAM shifts smoother. Shimano has shift shock in some cases but look more stylish in my opinion.

The Tora sounds like a good fork considering how heavy the bike will end up after upgrades.

I'd avoid 29" wheels if you were going buy new, because I think 26" has better acceleration and manuverability.

I weigh 202 and have a Tora 318 (coil). Im very happy with it, everything works as advertised on mine, love the dampening.

Bang for buck, i don't think there is a better fork on the market. (not that i found in my extensive searches anyway)

what 29rs have you ridden? Do you not like the way they handle?

No I don't like the feel of 29rs. Maybe cause im only 5'8". I also turn a high speeds and even with a 26 inch wheel, I feel like im falling off

This is O.T. but get one on some really rooty and chattery stuff, you'll like the way they smooth that stuff out.

I test rode a 29er, and I could ride around with my eyes closed and curbs would feel like a pebble in the road.

Anyways, if I buy a new fork, would I need to buy a new headset too? How come a lot of these forks online come with "free" headsets?

Also, should I get Recon over a Tora? I can get a 351 Recon U-turn coil for 350 bucks from my LBS, the Tora 318 U-turn is 280.

Your headset should work fine. (assuming it works fine now)

The reason a lot of forks come with "free headsets" is because there is fixed pricing on the forks. Therefore they are unable to compete with other stores by selling the fork cheaper. The way they get around this is to give you a "free gift".

Alright, I went with the Recon 351 U-turn. Thanks for the help everyone!

Just wondering something, why do people upgrade cranks? What difference is there to be felt? I guess it's just not that obvious to me...