when to upgrade and when to buy a new bike?
 

i'm new here.

i'm new to fixed gear bike. i purchased new 2016 fuji track. the chrome moly one. i like it. been riding it for few weeks. seat was uncomfortable, so i upgrade the seat and the post. didn't like the drop bar so got a new drop bar. i want to go faster so started looking at wheel and larger chainring. to match the chainring, started looking at cogs.

i paid very good price for the bike, but the upgrades are adding up and already costing more than the bike itself.

if i do get the wheelset and other things, that would be like a brand new italian steel bikes.

so when is it more beneficial to keep on upgrading, and when is it too much? i like fuji track, but is it worth upgrading it to a point where the upgrades are much more expensive than the bike itself? and if i do buy italian steel bike, would i be end up upgrading again?

pete

If you like the frame, it won't hurt anything to upgrade the parts, and if you buy quality parts you can always put them on a better frame later. Only replace the whole thing if you're unhappy with the frameset, maybe the geometry is wrong for you, or it's too heavy, or whatever. (or, y'know, you WANT a new frameset and you have the money :) )

Upgrading: expensive, but fun
 

Sometimes you get attached to a bike and you keep upgrading as interesting new components come along. I've been doing this to a particular frame that I bought new in 1976. I've spent a fortune on upgrade after upgrade, had a great time, and have become a good bicycle mechanic. Heck, last year I bought a new bikesdirect singlespeed commuter, upgraded all the components, and just recently upgraded the frame. At that point, I upgraded the wheels again. So it goes. It's like the old story of the guy who brags that he got a great auction bargain buying the ax that George Washington used to cut down the cherry tree. He says to his friends, of course, over all these years, a prior owner replaced the handle, and another owner replaced the blade. 😁

My feeling on the subject is that cost shouldn't factor into this kind of decision. If you really like the frame, and feel like it's light enough for you, go crazy. I promise, the accountants aren't watching :lol: In all seriousness, if you want to go buy a Dura Ace crank, or do something else that costs a lot do it.. You will thank yourself later.

Dave

I mean this in the nicest way possible:

that joke is literally ancient.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ship_of_Theseus

thanks all. just have to start saving for new wheelset.. and new crankset.. and all those njs stuff..