Upgrade my current bike or get a new bike????

[noweyout]

I am in no way an great rider but I think I need to do something to progress my riding. I currently have a 07 Diamondback Response sport (hardtail). I really like the frame because its strong and takes whatever I throw at it. It is also heavy, but I don't mind too much. I was thinking of upgrading the hell out of it and it'll be about 900 bucks (ie Rock Shox Revelation, x9 group set, deore xt hubs, clipless pedals, etc), mainly keeping the frame.

My problem is that the bike cost 500$ msrp. Would adding more money be crazy? My parts are entry level stuff and I notice I need to get better stuff, esp when riding.

But is it worth it to get new bike instead? Would like your opinions!!

[BFloFoxRider.]

i say, depending on your budget, just buy a new bike and keep this as a thraser, or a bike so you can bring a friend that doesnt have a bike or when someone needs to borroew one

[xhuskr]

If you like the bike overall..upgrade as things break. I'd start with wheels for the weight.....expect all kinds of answers here....but go with your gut...it is YOUR bike afterall

[onegymrat]

A few things to consider. The most important part of your build revolves around the chassis, which is the frame. If you're to spend almost a grand in upgrades, the reasons would be to lighten (easier to manuever and handle) and give you more adjustability (offering a more comfortable and perhaps safer ride). That wouldn't make sense if the frame is an anchor. Second is that with the great technology out there, it's a no brainer to pick a full suspension. The easier ride that it gives you by absorbing hits and not having to constantly pick better lines (thus making your ride more efficient and faster) is undeniable. Lastly, it's much cheaper to get a new bike with the higher level components installed already.

I think that your money is better spent on a new bike. Use your current ride as a commuter and/or street ride.

[strobelite]

a good fork and x-7 or deore level drivetrain will make your bike ride like new, and you can bank the rest for an fs and still have a capable fun/street/loaner bike.

[SDstumpy]

I'd say start with a new bike if you can afford it. I agree that a FS would be a nice addition to your stable. Then you'd have both a FS and HT. Upgrading components is nice but usually not necessary. Just replacing cables and housing can make your current derailers/shifters feel like new!

[ryandood]

I had a similar 'problem' when I started to look at upgrading my bike (Rockhopper, pretty much a semi-entry level hardtail).

I have obviously gotten over this 'problem' because I have some pretty nice parts on my bike now. I say if you like the frame then you might as well upgrade the parts. You can always take the parts off and use them on your next bike if you want, assuming you take care of them.

Maybe buy parts that will be easily moved to another bike, ie; get a fork that can be used on your bike now and another different bike later (maybe one with adjustable travel?).

Good luck and hardtail riders unite!!

[Docklobster]

Demo, Demo, Demo - borrow a friends whatever, find out if you are really missing out on something and if you want to invest the money and where...

[TrailJesus]

If you have the money buy a new bike. Upgrading costs more in the long run and you probably wont have what you originally planned in the first place.

[CeeDubb]

Hmmm...I just happen to be selling my Epic.

[live_in_hilo@yahoo.com]

everyone loves a new bike. so splurgggggggggg!

[Winger]

Not knowing much about you, it is hard to comment.

My gut says that if your bike is 1 year old, and you don't have clipless pedals, then you should focus more on the rider than the bike. Add the clipless pedals, and make sure you have grippy tires and you should be set for a while.

Join group rides to drastically improve your skills.

[bobzrag]

i didn't even read your post, just the heading.....new frame fo sure!

[SIK SD]

Originally Posted by Docklobster

Demo, Demo, Demo - borrow a friends whatever, find out if you are really missing out on something and if you want to invest the money and where...

What the Doc just said...It seems that you have a golden opportunity to go to the next step. Right now your GT is rideable so it's not like you don't have a bike. Don't rush into it...take your time and figure out what you want by making a list including...

Type of riding you do
Type of riding you want to do
What do like about your bike
What don't you like
etc.

It sounds like weight and build kit are known issues and maybe a FS next, so go to some reputable shops, talk to the guys there (not Performance) and ride as many as you can. Like other posters have said it is better to buy a new bike if you want an upgrade of all or almost all components. Also know that when it comes to bike purchases spend as much as you can afford now, that way you won't need or want to upgrade much for a long time. In the end pick the one that feels best to you. Good luck

[Magna_Graecia]

Greetings.

Since I'm currently riding a '07 Response Comp, I thought I'd share my two cents.

I swapped out the fork, pedals, handlebars, tiresand a few other odds and ends on mine (about $500+ all together) and noticed the difference in rideability almost immediately. Especially after swapping out the fork, the bike was infinitely more fun to ride. And I ride it on everything, from XC-type singletrack to the evil rock gardens of Big Bear.

The real question is: how long do you think the bike will work for you? If the answer is more than 8 months, do the upgrades, ride the hell out of it and save for something more significant. The time you spend on the Response will definitely help you decide what you want from your next bike. I was able to ride some of my friends' bikes, so I was able to compare the strengths/weaknesses of the Response with those of other, more expensive (and squishified) bikes and it helped me decide on my next bike.

If you want to swap out sooner, try finding some used stuff on the cheap that will improve the rideability short term (the stock fork sucks beyond any hope of redemption) and squirrel away as much cash as you can.

And be sure to demo bikes if possible before dropping any serious cash; you'll only want to bankrupt yourself once. (^_^)d

Only one man's opinion... take it for what you will.

[ChariotsOfTires]

As someone who has a $500 bike and has spen $600+ on upgrades (the only thing original is the frame, fork and crank set/BB) I can definitly say that had I had the money all at once I would have saved a little longer and bought a new one. I love my Specy Rockhopper. She's a beauty, but is firm in the tail. You can get a decent intro FS for $900. The only concilation to upgrading is that all I need now is to find a good used FS frame for pretty cheap and I'm riding a whole new bike cheaper than the new FS would have cost me.
My 2 cents though I don't think its probably worth that much, so I'll give it to ya for free...

PS - A new bike won't necessarily make you a better rider, though a FS would make ma a more aggressive rider.

[katonk]

I put a bunch on money in my first $500 hardtail. I wish I had all that money back. The problem is that to make a $500 bike a "good" bike you have to replace EVERYTHING. Wheelset, fork, cranks, stem, seatpost, saddle, brakes, and ALL of the drivetrain. It's not economical. Once you upgrade one part, you'll "need" the next. It's called upgraditis. Avoid it. It's evil.

My advice: ride the bike as is for as long as it takes to save up for a $2000-2500 FS trail bike. If you're feeling held back by a $500 hardtail, you need a "real" FS bike. In the mean time, just replace the parts that break.

As mentioned above, a better bike won't make you a better rider.

[L8 APEKS]

Here's my .02 cents.

That Response frame seems to be very well liked, and it gets very good reviews. Do YOU like the bike? If you are doing OK on the hard tail, and you're willing to wait a little longer for a full susp bike, here's what I would do (incidentally, this is what I did too).

Keep your bike. Upgrade parts as you see fit. Look for the specials and close-outs or upgrade when things brake or wear out; you don't have to spend a ton to get good parts (my Avid BB7 brakes were $59 each, my Sun/Ringle wheelset is light and strong and cost $139, Easton carbon bars were $49, etc.)

After you've got some better parts on your rig, look into a frame set. I LOVE my KHS, which is basically a Specialized FSR, and it cost me $400 shipped. My bike was under $1000 as it's built now, and I've got a good handling, 4.2" travel bike @ 28 lbs. Many people spend more than twice that. There are a ton of good frames out there for under $700.

That's what I'd do. Make sure you keep your OLD parts, and then when you swap out frames you can build up a spare bike to loan out, or to use when yours needs repairs.

Good luck...have fun!

[RidetheRAAM4]

I was looking to spend about $1200 to upgrade a bunch of stuff on my old bike, but ended up buying a new bike instead. You can usually find good deals on demo bikes at your LBS and still get their service (usually free for the life of the bike). I sold my old bike for $500. So if you take the $1200 (atleast that much because I probably would have found more stuff that I "needed") and the $500 away from the total cost of the bike, then it only cost me about $1200.

My new bike is a HUGE upgrade from the old one and is worth every penny. Plus, I would have had to spend more than what I paid for the bike to upgrade my old bike to a comparable level to the new bike.

[oneredbike]

Just convert your bike to a single speed machine and you will even cash in by selling components. Make your life simple and you will always be glad that you listened to me. It will make you a better rider if that is one of main objectives...but read the fine prints. ss is one of those things that you either love it or hate it.