Buy vs. Upgrade

[Skeeter]

Im stuck and need some advice. First some background. I got my bike, a Gary Fisher Sugar 4+, from a buddy almost a year ago. Since that time ive only had to replace the cranks and wheelset.Not bad for a free bike. But now the repairs are building up. I need a new fork, the rear shock needs to be rebuilt or replaced, possibly another rear hub(another thread), new brake lines, etc.
The question comes down to how much should i spend replacing parts on this inexpensive bike before i just say heII with it and buy a whole new better bike. The bikes only worth a couple hundred bucks and i would be putting a couple hundred into it.
Thanks for your opinions.

[tkblazer]

sounds like a good time to go bike shopping, i would be hard pressed to buy new parts for a bike that isn't worth that much to begin with..

[CalEpic]

If you like the bike it's a hell of a lot cheaper to replace components. Not as fun as a new bike though.

C

[allison]

Buying new bikes is fun.

OTOH, it's addicting. So, it really depends on how much debt you want to get into

[2wheel_lee]

Originally Posted by tkblazer

sounds like a good time to go bike shopping, i would be hard pressed to buy new parts for a bike that isn't worth that much to begin with..

So true!

Originally Posted by CalEpic

If you like the bike it's a hell of a lot cheaper to replace components. Not as fun as a new bike though.

C

So true!

Originally Posted by allison

Buying new bikes is fun.

OTOH, it's addicting. So, it really depends on how much debt you want to get into

So true!

No wonder it's such a difficult decision!

[Keith B]

My view is only to upgrade the stuff you can transfer to your next bike.

[2wheel_lee]

Originally Posted by Keith B

My view is only to upgrade the stuff you can transfer to your next bike.

Although that's a good idea, I've seen many people do that and then struggle with determining which part is better: the part that came on their new bike, or the one they bought as an upgrade for the old bike.

And then I would still be likely to want to do other upgrades on a new bike.

I suck.

[allison]

Originally Posted by 2wheel_lee

Although that's a good idea, I've seen many people do that and then struggle with determining which part is better: the part that came on their new bike, or the one they bought as an upgrade for the old bike.

And then I would still be likely to want to do other upgrades on a new bike.

I suck.

I think it's settled: get a new bike!

[xhuskr]

set a dollar amt you can afford to help. THEN it may be easier to decide for new bike or new components.

If you like your GF and the way it fits/rides......stick with it or buy a new one. just my 2cents.

[2wheel_lee]

Originally Posted by xhuskr

set a dollar amt you can afford to help. THEN it may be easier to decide for new bike or new components.

And then make sure you can spend a little more than you can afford.

Hey, that's what credit is for!

And remember that you may get a few dollars for your GF (that's Gary Fisher, not your girlfriend).

[Chaos]

Originally Posted by Skeeter

Im stuck and need some advice. First some background. I got my bike, a Gary Fisher Sugar 4+, from a buddy almost a year ago. Since that time ive only had to replace the cranks and wheelset.Not bad for a free bike. But now the repairs are building up. I need a new fork, the rear shock needs to be rebuilt or replaced, possibly another rear hub(another thread), new brake lines, etc.
The question comes down to how much should i spend replacing parts on this inexpensive bike before i just say heII with it and buy a whole new better bike. The bikes only worth a couple hundred bucks and i would be putting a couple hundred into it.
Thanks for your opinions.

rebuilding with old or new parts? could be the deciding cost factor for you. but i vote for getting a new bike man

[dstepper]

Just buy Craigs Flux...you won't need to upgrade any parts.

Dean

[Sprockethead]

Lucas,

What's your budget on repairs? Shop out the parts you want to replace the current ones with then compare it to something you want to buy. In the end, I think you'll end up with a new bike. If you're going to get a new fork, wheels, etc... it'll probably come close to the price of a new bike.

On the other hand, you can buy bigger bike, say a 6" Kona that they've got on sale, then rebuild your old one slowly so that you'll have 2 bikes in your stable. I'm sure you can find some parts at the next Fully Loop Swap Meet.

[2wheel_lee]

Originally Posted by Sprockethead

Lucas,
On the otherhand, you can buy bigger bike, say a 6" Kona that they've got on sale, then rebuild your old one slowly so that you'll have 2 bikes in your stable. I'm sure you can find some parts at the next Fully Loop Swap Meet.

Good line of thinking...prepare him for the idea of having multiple bikes. However, that's an expensive and ugly path. Just like cheating on your significant other, once having one extra seems ok, then have two extra is easily rationalized, then three is expected. And you start dreaming about your fourth, fifth, sixth, etc. I've mistakenly helped a few people go down this path (and you know who you are - sorry!).

[Waldo]

How much do you ride and how well does the current frame suit your needs/wants? (separating need vs want is usually my biggest challenge).

I totally agree with the cost comparison approach: Take a little time to compare several options
1) Buying new
2) Upgrading with new parts
3) Buying used
4) Upgrading via used or OEM take-off parts through mtbr.com, eBay, bargain bins, etc.

Other factors to consider:
1) Are you good at working on bikes, and/or do you want the experience of building?
2) Do you have the tools you'd need to upgrade, and if not, how much $$ will they add?
3) Are you in a position to lay out all the cash in one shot, or does it make more financial sense to do it one part at a time?
4) How bad will your wife/GF/s.o. pummel your a** when you announce how much coin you're dropping on this endeavor.

(#4 is usually the deciding factor for me on the want/need question)

Good luck either way.
Bike are fun!

[CalEpic]

Originally Posted by dstepper

Just buy Craigs Flux...you won't need to upgrade any parts.

Dean

Thanks for the thought but I sold it yesterday

C

[mytrustysteed]

I can only say that I rode a Gary Fisher Sugar 4+ (wow that's a long name for a bike) for 2-3 years and I loved it until I rode something else. I'm not bagging on the bike, but there are much better bikes out there now. My advice is to pass it along the same way it came to you. Give it to someone who needs a bike.

[genusmtbkr5]

Everyone has very good points. The rule of thumb I like to go by is; don't spend more on upgrades than the bike is worth. Meaning; if the bike is worth only $200-$300, new forks, rear shock, new hub, brake lines will cost much more> even for used parts. For the price of these replacement parts, you can get a whole new bike. There are also plenty of good used bikes out there with already upgraded parts,(takes away from upgrading it yourself which is half the fun) Building bikes does get expensive, I'm on my 4th bike, (I'll post it when it's finished.) I have so many left over parts that I'm in search of a frame to build a 5th (just a budget build with low end components-stuff left over from upgrades-hopefully inexpensive ). My vote is to get a new bike, wait on closeout sales. Ebay, which I bought 2 of my bikes can be risky, same with mtbr.com, You can't test ride it or check the bike up close. I've been lucky. Good luck with your decision.

[guero]

I say you buy new lewkiss. not that you have a problem getting inspired to ride, but getting something new just makes one jonz to ride. some were asking me why i didnt just keep purple haze when i bought my coiler. the truth of the matter is i only ride twice a week in the spring/summer months and generally only once in the fall/winter months...so, in my eyes, i didnt ride enough to warrant having two bikes. sure the coiler is a little heavy on the climbs, but it really kicks ass on the descents and obviously allows me to do some hucks when the time arises.

if you were to buy new, what did you have your eye on? like gene said, buying off eBay and mtbr can be sketchy...i got purple haze off of mtbr and was a little disappointed with the lack of detail in the replies to my emails i was sending the guy...the bike was also very poorly packaged.

[Skeeter]

Originally Posted by guero

if you were to buy new, what did you have your eye on?

I'm looking for something more all-mountain. Another 1.5 or 2 of travel. I feel limited by the bike on some of the play stuff.

Originally Posted by Chaos

but i vote for getting a new bike man

Any in your stable for sale??

Originally Posted by 2wheel_lee

And remember that you may get a few dollars for your GF (that's Gary Fisher, not your girlfriend).

Damn, I bet i can get some money for the girlfriend that would help the budget for a new ride.


Thank you all for your input. I guess im going to have to start looking for a new bike. A quick addition of the parts list along with instalation puts the price above the value of the bike. I will be looking at a used rig or a closeout model. I don't need to buy new, all im going to do is crash and sratch it up anyways.
Now convincing the girl to let me spend the money