flynnyfalcon

Hi all,

Long time reader, first time poster so go easy on me

I have a 99' GT Ricochet which has been an awesome bike for 10 years now! The frame is as solid as a rock and held up well even with a couple of serious high speed bingles.

The only problem has been the poor quality shocks but they're bearable considering majority of my riding these days is on the road. The front derailaur lever also misses a lot of the time on the up shift. It was recently serviced and while it ran well for a while, I'm finding components are starting to show their age and die a slow death.

My question is as I'm sure you've all asked yourself at one point; Is it best if I upgrade my current frame's components to decent components (say xt or xtr) found online etc or simply buy a new bike?

I would expect to have to replace basically everything, hubs, crank, complete driveline, brakes & probably suspension.

Is having a new bike with new matching components and disk brakes worth the extra money over a reasonably well built 10 year old frame?

Current and original factory setup...

Frame & Fork
Frame Construction TIG-welded
Frame Tubing Material 7000 aluminum, butted
Fork Brand & Model Rock Shox Jett XC, 3.0" travel
Fork Material Aluminum/magnesium, triple-clamp crown
Rear Shock Not applicable

Components
Component Group Mountain Mix
Brakeset Avid 1D-25 brakes, Avid AD-1.0 L levers
Shift Levers Shimano Deore LX RapidFire SL
Front Derailleur Shimano Deore LX
Rear Derailleur Shimano Deore LX
Crankset Shimano Deore LX, 22/32/44 teeth
Pedals Steel cage, aluminum body w/clips & straps NOW CLIPLESS SHIMANO
Bottom Bracket Shimano cartridge
BB Shell Width 73mm English
Rear Cogs 9-speed, 11 - 32 teeth
Chain Shimano CN-HG72, 1/2 x 3/32"
Seatpost Aluminum micro-adjust
Saddle SDG Comp
Handlebar Titec Enduro HF
Handlebar Extensions Not included I HAVE SOME TYPE ATTACHED
Handlebar Stem Azonic ORC
Headset 1 1/8" threadless Aheadset STS

Wheels
Hubs Front: GT suspension Q/R, Rear: Shimano Deore LX
Rims Weinmann Zac 19, 32-hole
Tires 26 x 2.10" WTB VelociRaptor NOW SLICKS
Spoke Brand DT stainless steel, 2.0mm straight gauge
Spoke Nipples Brass nipples

Do you have any recommendations if I was to go either way?

I saw a Merida FLX Special Edition full carbon bike with XT components recently which looked a pretty impressive bike. Was around the $2300 mark (which I don't overly want to spend), which is far more than I'd spend on individual components if I was to upgrade, but of the type of quality end result I'd want.

Thanks for any response

stonebreaker

I was in the same situation with my GT Avalanche as you. But after going around all the LBS's to test all the new stuff, the price for what I'd like to get quality wise is just to high. And that's cool for me. I really love my Avalanche. I've upgraded as I broke stuff so I don't think I'm in as dire shape as you may be.

So I decided to really give her an over haul. I cruise Ebay, Craigs list and hit up my riding buddies for deals on parts. So far I've gotten a new Tora fork for $113 from ebay, new Mavic wheels with XT hubs for $101, XTR levers for $35, an XT crank for $55 that I'm gonna convert to a single chainring for a 1x8, JensonUSA has Avid BB7 disc brakes for $45 each and I'm just picking up the rest as I find deals.

The satisfaction I'm getting for rebuilding this myself and the money savings is beyond words.

Terry66

Not to mention, building a bike is much more fun than buying. I am wrapping up my first build and it was a great learning experience. I pressed in my headset, cut my fork, installed everything from the ground up. I went way over budget, but had a blast doing it.

Be careful with putting money in an older bike though. Technology has really changed in 10 years and you may find that even a $500-700 hardtail would be a major upgrade. I can’t say what is best for you, but I would really shop around.

kenhill3

You'll be spending at least $200 and probably more like $400-$500 to replace your old bike's components, possibly some used stuff in there

Unless out of pure interest in the fun/satisfaction/leaning of rebuilding, that $500 is going to get you into a bike that is heads above what you currently ride.

Sheesh, if you're willing to spend a coupla grand, go ahead and reward yourself with an awesome bike!

Think about what kind of riding it is that you do/want to do, look for the bike that helps you do that and feels the best to ride.

flynnyfalcon

Thanks for all the replies :-)

If I was to go down the upgrade path, are their certain items my bike won't allow?

ie rear disk brakes (no frame bracket), front discs without fork change etc What big changes in the last 10 years have occurred which my frame can't deal with?

Should I look for particular items which are known as good upgrades? All I know is XTR was always the good stuff when I was hunting around years ago. What about decent front shocks? My current Rock Shok XC are pretty lame, are other brands ie Marzocci's, Fox's etc a better choice.

I'll try and do everything on a tightish budget.

Thanks again!!!

flynnyfalcon

Stonebreaker... sounds like our paths are following a similar track!

stonebreaker

It sure does!

Any new fork you upgrade to should have disc mounts and some Avid bb7's calipers go for $45 new. You can use your current levers if your running V brakes. I had old cantilever style brakes so I replaced my levers. As for the rear I don't have the disc mount tabs either, but i did find this adapter from some forum members here. A2Z'sOnline Bike pics.jpg

rnorris

I've gone both ways on this issue in the past year. Upgraded my early 90's Stumpy with a combination of used and new parts I bought at discount. Being an old hardtail, this was pretty easy to do. Thought about doing the same with my 2001 Jeckyl, but parts are no longer available for its Headshock and I wanted to graduate to a bike with more suspension travel anyway, so I went a with new bike (GF HiFi Pro).

stonebreaker

That's what I'd like to do as well. If I'm gonna buy new I want to take a step toward a full suspension and not a low doller/component one. So fixin up my good old hardtail is the ticket for now. After that I can save more $ for a good full suspension.......The GT Force 1.0 comes to mind....

flynnyfalcon

Hey Stonebreaker, were their any components you had to steer away from because they just aren't compatible with our era of bike? I'm a bit worried I'll buy something from ebay/Jensen only to find their won't work! Bit hard to return from Oz as well :-o

After looking at the rear disc brake brackets, I may just stick to v-brakes on the rear and upgrade the front.

johnism

i have been tossing around the same idea with an OLD Gary fisher marlin maybe 94 , but I am not even sure new suspension fork will even work with it or even fit.

stonebreaker

Nothing except not having the rear disc mount tabs. As much as I like that disc adapter for the rear I just scored an XTR V brake off of fleabay for $36 shipped for the rear instead. Compared to $40 for the adapter and another $45 for the brake plus shipping for those items. I just ask alot of questions at my LBS's, online bike shops and here at the forums to see if something will fit or work.

flynnyfalcon

Excellent...

The upgrade begins!