MisterK

or am i just over complicating my thoughts?
i really like my mountaineer. ive given her a fair bit of lovin over 2 seasons and treated her to some presents.
i just seem stuck now....is it possibly because now im getting to the "expensive upgrades" or am i just trying to turn the wrong bike into something its not?
ive got 8 in the rear, deore xt rear, 2.1 tires, alivio rapidfire shifters. i just seem stuck now. everything seems almost just soo far away to continue (aside from front derail).
there is no good square taper double cranks, the sets that i want are half the price of what i bought the bike
80mm travel, to go to 100mm or 120mm is easily the price of the bike
seat/seat post, handlebars, and headsets seem just like asthetics and pointless if i want more trail performance....
what am i doing wrong? do i have the wrong ideas? did i buy the wrong bike n ive just been riding a lie for 2 years?
god someone help me....i wanna love my bike again....cuz right now till i can get help with some answers....i just like my bike

squatchy

Whats the use of buying a bike that you continually feel like you need to add upgrades. That in it'self says it's not as high end of a ride as you want to enjoy. Cut your losses and spend the money on something that is already built close to what your'e wanting now.

Grimlock

What kind of riding are you doing? Are you replacing parts because the originals broke or do you want something that works better?

Zephyr11

You said you like your bike. Why are you upgrading it? Just for the sake of upgrading it, or are there parts you're unsatisfied with? IMO cranks are a throwaway upgrade...you'll see little performance difference, unless you hate your triple and want to go to a single + bash or something like that, and even then, you can just play with rings. And I wouldn't bother with upgrading front derailleur unless yours is broken. Saddle and bars are most certainly not just aesthetics if you change them to something that fits you better, but if the bike already fits you well, they're fine. If you actually do dislike all of those parts, you're better off buying a new bike.

MisterK

My reasons come partly wanting to keep up with the jones' and yes some do serve a performance purpose.
I'd really like a double with a bash because my mtb for me is strictly trails or heading in that direction, and on some of the harder trails my friends have taken me I've come down hard on my triple and since I don't use my large ring why not save space and improve durability.
The same reason for somemore travel up front, unless I have the wrong idea of how to properly use my ront suspension. My fork also lacks lockout.
Front derail ya ok I just want a shineier part and maybe I can try swapping my stem for a stubby.
I'm comfy on my bike, its a pretty cool bike, but I'd really like to add awesome to that sentance. I wanna have a bike that can handle eveerything and the kitchen sink.
What norco offers as their bc hardtails is almost what I'm aiming for.
When I got my bike I bought what I could. Now its time to make it what I really wanted

Zephyr11

For the crank, just take off the big ring and buy a bashguard. You don't need a new crank.
More travel...depending on how much travel you want, you may need a new bike. You can safely add maybe 20-30mm of travel up front, any more than that and the geometry will get weird, plus your frame's headtube might not be equipped to handle it.
Front derailleur you won't notice a difference. Don't bother.
Swap the stem if you don't fit on the bike now and want a more upright riding position.

Then save for a new bike, rather than trying to make this one into something it's not.

himespau 

I've tried to "save money" by making an old bike something it wasn't. Ended up spending way more than a new bike would costs and it still isn't quite what I want. Learned a fair bit though.

MisterK

to answer the question of style o like to ride. after reading and watching videos. i guess it would qualify as singletrack.

ColinL

sage advice.

OP: borrow a friend's bike, or rent/demo a shop bike on your local trail. then decide if what you felt was nice enough to spend money on. if it is, then save up for it. if your friend has a really expensive bike, make sure you set your expectations appropriately.

either way, you should get the idea that your bike is good enough, or that the money for a new bike (or newer used, since yours is so old) would be well spent.

MisterK

So old? I ride a 2011

ColinL

?? how did you buy a 2011 bike with 8 speed Deore XT and square taper cranks? that is not possible.

if you really have a 2011 complete bike, Deore XT would have been 10 speed (either 2x10 or 3x10) and would have had hollowtech II cranks, which are splined, not square taper.

MisterK

Sorry I should have explained. The 8spd cassette, deore xt rear, alivio shifter, tektro pulls and wider tires are all upgrades I've done myself. The rest is alll stock.
Its an older deore xt. The new ones look super sweet tho.
But yes its a 2011 mountaineer. Last year they made em before they switched to their new frames
It originally came with 7spd altus rear and altus one piece shifter brakepull combo