ms99

I'm still a bit of a newbie at mtn biking so any help would be appreciated.

I have a 3yr Trek 4300 it has been a pretty good starting bike and had a good price to let me know I would be doing more riding.

Lately I have been putting about 300+miles/month and probably have around 2500 miles on the bike since new.

I have started to have a few issues with the drive train. I have a friend who is a bit smarter than me at maintaining bikes so I have been trying to keep things adjusted properly. However, lately the bike is having problems shifting - it doesn't want to step cleanly thru 6-7-8 gears when on the middle or large chain ring on the front. Also when going up some moderate hills it tends to either miss shifting or will pop and jump gears. One friend says there is a bit of wear on the chain rings and in the chain.

I have about $400+ I can spend so it seems to me that it might make more sense to upgrade the drivetrain rather than see what I can sell it for and buy something totally new. Thoughts?

My first question is this - Can the 4300 be easily upgraded with newer/better components?

I have been looking at something like the Shimano SLX components - new crank/BB, front & rear derailleurs, cassette and chain. I've seen a build kit like this advertised for about $390.

Will this kit fit my bike?

Also lately I've been noticing a lot more oil/grease on the front forks. No bottoming out yet. Is it time to consider replacing the front forks as well?

Just a little more background on me - 50+/ 6'1"-215. Do a lot of riding on the great bike trails here in Germany and some riding in the forest roads/trails around here as well. None of the hard-core rock jumping, full-bore downhill stuff, not totally flat trails either, but enough to help me keep the blood pumping and get in a better shape than round...


Any advice would be appreciated. And recommendations for online stores as well.

I'm in Germany working with the USAF so would need to order parts online and do most work myself with my friend.


Thanks,
Mike

RIC0

I loved my 4300 after many upgrades but had to sell it and go with a full suspension bike due to back problems. I say upgrade it and roll on for sure, they are good strong bikes but definitly need better components after the stockers wear out.

jjbod1

While that is a decent bike for a newb. I am really on the fence whether its worth spending 400 to upgrade. But then again I am someone who dumps tons of $$ into older bikes, I just do it a little at a time. If you really like the bike, and its worth it to you, go for it. But, again if it was me, unless I found a killer deal on SLX parts,I would just be looking at standard Deore or last years LX stuff, that can be found much cheaper then the newly branded SLX. IMO the SLX is not worth the price upgrade over the other 2.