General bike up grades

[JustinMD]

I currently have a Trek 4500 from roughly 99 (Can’t remember the exact year), rim breaks, toe clips, blah blah stone age. It’s been a long time since I rode as much as I do now and I’m starting to look into either buying a whole new bike or upgrading what I’ve got now, also any tips on shoes?. I’m not to techy when it comes to bike gear yet, it wasn’t really an issue until now, so I really don’t have any idea where to start or where to go. I enjoy mostly riding areas like patapsco and the like… I’m not to good yet but I am working on it, I also enjoy bike/camping trips but I think my current bike works very well for that. I need ideas for a good off road, single track kind of ride. thanks:)

[burgh punk]

I am a cheap mofo, so I would upgrade very basic things like pedals that can be carried over if you want a new bike later on. clipless pedals are a must, and I swear by spd's. as for shoes, you'll want something stiff, but comfortable. try some on at an lbs. I have a pair of specialized shoes from like 8 years ago that have become one with my feet.

[CRAIG2]

I might start with a professional tune-up, possibly mechanical discs (hydraulic is better, but pricey), pedals (huge difference going to clipless), and a set of decent trail tires. Possibly a fork if you have the coin to spend.

You should be able to find plenty of chat in the forum postings on tires, brakes, forks, frames, shoes, saddles, etc. And LOTS of opinions.

Craig

[halfinch]

since you havent ridden the bike much in a while, skip getting a new fork for now. take it to a local shop, and have them give it a run through to tell you what's amiss. i'd recommend the two shops that sponsor the site - city bikes and bike lane. fine knowledgeable staff at both.

as for shoes, i'm cheap also. look for some that are on sale or deep discounted. hit performance to try some on, then look at the prices. nashbar dot com is selling diadorias (my favorite brand) for less 40 a pair. (30 - 50 savings).

shimano 520's are a good pedal to start with.

start riding the bike you have to see if you're still into it. ride it hard, use it up. next year by an '06 close out or a new 07...

save the money in yo pocket for now, stash it away.. ask to try other folk's rides or rent a full sussy or other bikes to see what you like. then buy..

enjoy

[Squirrel Girl]

I might start with a professional tune-up, possibly mechanical discs (hydraulic is better, but pricey), pedals (huge difference going to clipless), and a set of decent trail tires. Possibly a fork if you have the coin to spend.

You should be able to find plenty of chat in the forum postings on tires, brakes, forks, frames, shoes, saddles, etc. And LOTS of opinions.

Craig
Yeah, there have been lots of threads on pedals (even a poll on that, I'm a Time Atacs girl, myself). I have hydraulic Shimano discs on one bike and mechanical Avid discs on the other. I don't see any advantage (myself) to the hydraulics and next time I shop for brakes, I will probably skip the hydraulics. KISS.

Have fun! But yes, sometimes, you can get a good deal with a package. Like the amount you spend on the whole shee-bang will cover the cost of a new frame. A friend of mine just bought a bike at Costco. He paid like about $800-$900 for it and it had a decent (though not stellar) set of components. But the frame is gawd awful heavy. Think about getting a last year's closeout model. Sometimes there are some good deals with those.

[walsh]

Going to clipless pedals made a far greater difference in my riding than going from a rigid to suspended bike, going from cantilever brakes to V-brakes, or going from V-brakes to disc brakes. It's the first major upgrade you want to make. As you take riding to the next level, you'll get a feel for where you want to go next.

I had GREAT luck for a number of years with Performance's El Cheapo SPD-style pedals bottom-of-the-line shoes. It took a long time to wear through them, and when I did, I was ready for the nicer stuff (Sidi/Time.) I still commute in Performance's road shoes - they fit me better than Shimano, Pearl, and other middle-of-the-line stuff, and they just won't die. If you want those pedals, they still have some life in them. PM me.

With all the great components on the market today, it will eventually be hands-down more economical and less frustrating to get a new bike with the features you really want, than to buy disc brakes, disc wheels, a new fork, drivetrain upgrades, and then put them all on. That said, virtually no one on these boards, myself included follows this advice: we're obsessed with new components and tinker constantly. :) Your trusty old bike will get you a lot further than any of us new-toy fanatics want to admit.

[Squirrel Girl]

That said, virtually no one on these boards, myself included follows this advice: we're obsessed with new components and tinker constantly. :) I believe it's a communicable disease, well documented in the medical literature. However, there is more money to be made by allowing to spread like wildfire than to cure it.

FWIW, I learned early on that whatever you think you're going to spend wrt bicycling, triple it, and you will be close to reality.

[dcraider]

as for shoes, i'm cheap also. look for some that are on sale or deep discounted. hit performance to try some on, then look at the prices. nashbar dot com is selling diadorias (my favorite brand) for less 40 a pair. (30 - 50 savings).

shimano 520's are a good pedal to start with.

enjoy

As far as shoes go, get a pair that will stand up to the type of riding you plan on doing. I've thrashed two pair of low end Shimanos in the last two years. I finally got fed up with them and bought a pair of higher end Sid's. Only four rides later and they are 100% better than he shimanos. Stiffer, lighter, cooler, designed better, etc.

But, if you're only going to ride every once in a while, get shimanos and the SPD clipless pedal.

Also, upgrade your pedals, and possibly get mechanical disc brakes, only if you have disc compatible hubs on your rims. If you want to get really serious into MTBing. Buy a new bike. Ovetime you'l save the headaches and the larger credit card bill.

Good Luck,

Kris

[dcraider]

That said, virtually no one on these boards, myself included follows this advice: we're obsessed with new components and tinker constantly. :) Your trusty old bike will get you a lot further than any of us new-toy fanatics want to admit.

LIAR!, stop spreading false hope. He must buy a new bike now, right now. Not a singlespeed rigid 29er of course, but a new bike. You should be awkwardly ashamed of yourself, I'm dissappointed in you, as are several dozen other members on this board. YES, I will speak for them!

Really, yes, ride your bike until it falls apart or until you get tired of other MTBers laughing at you and pointing. We're middle schoolers in old tired middle aged bodies, except for me.

Kris

[CRAIG2]

If you're considering discs, the stopping power of a properly adjusted mechanical and a hydraulic are probably very comparable. Barbara's right. I just like the hydraulics because the braking is consistent, every time. There are not cables to stretch, and the feeling when braking is the same as it was when they were first installed. Yes, you'll have to bleed them once in a while, but I understand that's not a really expensive service. No, I'm not really a tinkerer.

Regarding shoes, shop the Nashbar and Performance closeouts just starting out. If you have $180-220 laying around to blow on Sidi's, or can find a pair on closeout, go for it. They're great shoes. That said, I also have a pair of Specialized shoes that I got on clearance for $25 that I like (rarely wear as I got the Sidi's as a gift) that would make fine shoes starting out. Keep in miind, I got the Specialized shoes YEARS ago.

Regarding pedals, what do you want to spend? Under a Benjamin will get you a fine set of Time ATACs or Crank Bros Egg-Beaters. Or you can get a Wellgo Shimano-knock-off for under $40. Personally, I run a variety of Egg Beaters on all my bikes, road and mountain. I like them. Others don't. Up to you.

Just my 2 cents.

[macdaid]

I just upgraded my 99 fisher to Avid mech's (got used) and eggbeater smarties.
2 very fun upgrades.

I personally love to tinker and squeeze the life out of old bikes.
And to those who would 'point and laugh' - whatever

And now I'm off to Vegas and points west. Have a nice 2 weeks y'all.

Cheers!
:D



I currently have a Trek 4500 from roughly 99 (Can’t remember the exact year), rim breaks, toe clips, blah blah stone age. It’s been a long time since I rode as much as I do now and I’m starting to look into either buying a whole new bike or upgrading what I’ve got now, also any tips on shoes?. I’m not to techy when it comes to bike gear yet, it wasn’t really an issue until now, so I really don’t have any idea where to start or where to go. I enjoy mostly riding areas like patapsco and the like… I’m not to good yet but I am working on it, I also enjoy bike/camping trips but I think my current bike works very well for that. I need ideas for a good off road, single track kind of ride. thanks:)

[Pinoy Rider]

I looked into getting disk brakes for my wife's Trek 7000 which is a 99 also. It requires specific 22mm hayes hydraulic calipers according to Trek. Chances are his bike would require the same and a new set of wheels.

[notrelatedtoted]

1.) Get a tune up. Mountain bikes, when properly maintained, are quite durable. You may be surprised how well your Trek rides once the drivetrain and brakes are re-adjusted.

2.) Pedals: you can get Shimano 540's for under $50.00. Not the lightest pedals out there, tend to pack up in mud, but they're fairly bomb-proof. Shoes: diadora geckos are easy on the wallet and pretty comfortable. You can find them around for about $50.00, maybe less.

3.) I would hold off on anything beyond that. Upgrading an old bike (beyond routine maintenance) is rarely cost-effective. Sure, new parts are fun, but look at it this way - new mechanical disc brakes (Avid bb7's) could cost you approximately 1/8th the price of a new bike.

There's nothing wrong with an older bike if it works properly. Save your cash to buy new rather than upgrade.

[CRAIG2]

1.) Get a tune up. Mountain bikes, when properly maintained, are quite durable. You may be surprised how well your Trek rides once the drivetrain and brakes are re-adjusted.

There's nothing wrong with an older bike if it works properly. Save your cash to buy new rather than upgrade.


Very good points! Especially if the older bike really fits you. Tune up I think is the most important starting point. Even the best components, if not adjusted properly, will make for a lousy ride. I still think tires should be a consideration, as well - that's a very important, and I think sometimes overlooked, upgrade. That's what keeps you on the trail and having fun!

[notrelatedtoted]

I still think tires should be a consideration, as well - that's a very important, and I think sometimes overlooked, upgrade. That's what keeps you on the trail and having fun!

I agree - not sure how I overlooked that. I would consider new tires (if you need them) before clipless pedals.

[halfinch]

As far as shoes go, get a pair that will stand up to the type of riding you plan on doing. I've thrashed two pair of low end Shimanos in the last two years. I finally got fed up with them and bought a pair of higher end Sid's. Only four rides later and they are 100% better than he shimanos. Stiffer, lighter, cooler, designed better, etc.

But, if you're only going to ride every once in a while, get shimanos and the SPD clipless pedal.

Also, upgrade your pedals, and possibly get mechanical disc brakes, only if you have disc compatible hubs on your rims. If you want to get really serious into MTBing. Buy a new bike. Ovetime you'l save the headaches and the larger credit card bill.

Good Luck,

Kris

most importantly, try several different brands on. mountain shoes brand fit differently between manufactures.