Fix up the clunker or get a new bike?

[bvibert]

I spent a good part of yesterday and the day before researching bike parts to fix my bike with. Trying to decide if I want to fix the clunker up or save my pennies for a new bike instead.

 

[Jisch]

I was amazed at how much new tech I could get new compared to buying parts individually when thinking about this last summer. I think if you need any kind of suspension parts, then the decision gets easier.

I ended up buying a new bike, but then again I have a bike problem.

John

 

[bvibert]

The major stuff I need is a new wheel set and a new fork. I also need to replace the pivot bearings in the rear, but that shouldn't be too much if I do it myself. With the new wheels I was planning on switching to mechanical disk brakes and replacing the brake lever that I bent to crap while I was at it. I'm looking at around $500 in parts.

 

[Jisch]

$500 isn't much, I guess the way I would look at it would be to question what else on the bike will need to be replaced in the coming year... again I have a bike problem so keep that in mind, but for $2K you could get a new bike with a much better wheelset and fork than you will get for $500.

John

 

[bvibert]

$500 isn't much, I guess the way I would look at it would be to question what else on the bike will need to be replaced in the coming year... again I have a bike problem so keep that in mind, but for $2K you could get a new bike with a much better wheelset and fork than you will get for $500.

John

Bike budget would definitely be sub $2K. Some of the bikes that would more likely be in my price range have the same fork (Tora) and brakes (BB7) that I've been looking at. I'd get more suspension travel out of a new bike though.

 

[MR. evil]

Bike budget would definitely be sub $2K. Some of the bikes that would more likely be in my price range have the same fork (Tora) and brakes (BB7) that I've been looking at. I'd get more suspension travel out of a new bike though.

Brian

Pretty soon I am going to have a set of disc wheels for sale real cheap ($50). They are nothing special, Sun SOS wheels. They should be more than enough to get you thru the season if you want to convert to disc brakes and also buy some time to save for a new ride.

There are some really sick deals out there now on left over Iron Horse MKIII frames with the DW link suspension for around $700 including the rear shock. If you can swing it I would pick up that frame before they sell out and then save up for the rest of the build over the season. Wheel world usually has very good deals on build kits to finish off a frame. Everyone that owns that frame seems to love it.

 

[Greg]

Trying to decide if I want to fix the clunker up or save my pennies for a new bike instead.

Please buy a new bike so I don't have to wait for you to fix your shit on the trail this season...




:razz:

 

[Greg]

There are some really sick deals out there now on left over Iron Horse MKIII frames with the DW link suspension for around $700 including the rear shock

Full bike. $1,000:

http://www.rscycle.com/2008-Iron-Horse-MKIII-Trail-All-Mountain?CAWELAID=197451503

That looks like a damn good deal, plus they have a 21" frame for the big man.

 

[bvibert]

Let me know on the wheels Tim, definitely interested.

 

[MR. evil]

Full bike. $1,000:

http://www.rscycle.com/2008-Iron-Horse-MKIII-Trail-All-Mountain?CAWELAID=197451503

That looks like a damn good deal, plus they have a 21" frame for the big man.

The components of that bike are pretty low end.

 

[Greg]

The components of that bike are pretty low end.

Oh God, here we go... :roll:

I don't know enough about individual bike parts to comment, but isn't it a decent enough foundation? The big man is going to be busting things anyway so he can upgrade as he goes along. If he built up with better components on the $700 frame, he's going to go way past a grand, no? I would bet that thing would be like a Cadillac compared to his old Stumpjumper...

 

[bvibert]

Please buy a new bike so I don't have to wait for you to fix your shit on the trail this season...




:razz:

Believe me, I don't like having to stop so I can fix stuff either...

Full bike. $1,000:

http://www.rscycle.com/2008-Iron-Horse-MKIII-Trail-All-Mountain?CAWELAID=197451503

That looks like a damn good deal, plus they have a 21" frame for the big man.

Looks like a decent deal, not too sure about some of the componentry though.

That brings me to another concern of mine about buying a bike/frame online; how do I know the right size?

 

[o3jeff]

Chainlove has a Titus on right now for $1800

 

[MR. evil]

Believe me, I don't like having to stop so I can fix stuff either...



Looks like a decent deal, not too sure about some of the componentry though.

That brings me to another concern of mine about buying a bike/frame online; how do I know the right size?

I think Gremf has a 21" MKIII. You could always throw a leg over his.

 

[MR. evil]

Chainlove has a Titus on right now for $1800

Thats a good deal for that bike, but the geo is more suited for pure XC riding. For a trail bike you want something with around a 69d to 68d head tube angle. That Titus has a 71d head tube angle

 

[bvibert]

Chainlove has a Titus on right now for $1800

Saw that. Definitely don't have $1800 to drop on a bike at the moment. Thanks though.

 

[Greg]

This thread sucks. I was doing fine and had no MTB jones until now. Thanks Brian. :roll:

 

[bvibert]

This thread sucks. I was doing fine and had no MTB jones until now. Thanks Brian. :roll:

No problem. :beer:

 

[MR. evil]

Oh God, here we go... :roll:

I don't know enough about individual bike parts to comment, but isn't it a decent enough foundation? The big man is going to be busting things anyway so he can upgrade as he goes along. If he built up with better components on the $700 frame, he's going to go way past a grand, no? I would bet that thing would be like a Cadillac compared to his old Stumpjumper...

unfortunatly thats a very good frame with crappy components. If it was someone smaller than Brian that stuff may last a while. But at his size he would be replacing most of that stuff very soon. Its always alot cheaper to buy a bike with good components than one with junk and upgrading as stuff breaks.

 

[severine]

It's my fault. We've been talking about fixing his bike, to which I responded that since he's likely to spend nearly as much as to get a new bike anyway, why not just get a new one. The bike he's on now is his Dad's and quite old; even his Dad said it's not likely to last much longer.

That said, sub-1K is the goal, otherwise it won't happen this year. Don't know how reasonable that is, but he managed before on the other Specialized before being given the better bike; that was somewhere around $500 or $600, IIRC.