upgrade components or buy new bike?

I currently own a specialized rockhopper comp 07. Should I upgrade to: magura menja forks, xt rear derailuer, and xt crank. Or should I buy a new trek 800?? Cheaper if I upgrade wife would be happier.
I need sugestions.:beer:

 

I almost forgat since im been rushed, I also race at vail lake currently beginer planing to move up to sport mid year.

 

I guess it depends what do you plan to upgrade and why?

 

Well I figure if I'm gonna move to sport I need an over all better bike.

 

I would get a whole bike, yours still wouldnt be worth as much as the comprable specialized with the same components. I have an 09 trek 8000. I love it except for the brakes, they're noisey as hell.

 

the upgrades would be more beneficial IMO.

 

Dude. That´s a no brainer. ALWAYS ALWAYS ALWAYS go with a new bike. Then tell the wife that you will part finance it by selling the old bike after you get the new one. Then proceed to not get the price you wanted for the old one, so you have to keep it so as to mininise your loss.

 

+1

Even better is to use an old surfer trick... paint and sticker the new one just like the old one. Maybe she won't even notice:?:

 

Upgrade the fork and wheelset first.
Lighter weight will make more of a difference.

 

Y r the upgrades more beneficial

 

what you will spend on a upgrade in forks and wheels you will lack in the frame... the rockhopper is is a good entry level frame... but as they go up in price the frames change ... lighter and stiffer. If you talking about doing a fork and drive train... the most cost effective way is a new bike... think about when specialized and trek but componets for the bikes... the buy a TON so its sold to them at a cheaper cost which is sent your way as a customer! MBA, Decline, Bike have allways dont buyers guides and they all say the same thing... it would have just been a single item go for it... but your talking a large upgrade.Also have to factor in the fork length, frames are designed to only accept a 100mm fork for example, so if you buy a 130mm frame you may cause stress to that frame...

just things i picked up from currently working for a bike company and being a mechanic for close to 8yrs.

 

On a Rockhopper?

Agreed. There are a lot of closeout and used bikes you can get for the money you'd spend on that fork, crank, and RD.

 

how many chips do you have to play with?

 

I agree. It all depends on how much you can spend. Are you looking for a race bike like a light weight hard tail? You can go used and find a great bike with already good components. I have a great race bike for sale if you are about 5'7" tall cause it's a 16.5" small. You may have seen it. Pm me for details if interested.

 

I would opt to be a little more flexible on your upgrade list (maybe considering other brands/models for some parts depending on current specials and sale prices), and I would keep the Specialized frame - as long as you are comfortable on it.

It's a great frame...so if you're comfortable on it and it fits you well, there's no sense buying a new bike just to "keep up with the Joneses."

I have a KHS frame that cost me $400 shipped. Love the way it feels, and upgraded around it. I have a 29.0 lb 4.2" travel bike that I love, for about $1500 all said and done.

 

Xc 204 Is A Good Frame Mate!

 

You might want to check the STR bubs, alot of peeps selling off thier fleets. Or like some have said, look for closeout prices on '08 or even '07 bikes. The bike co's get a sweet deal when buying components by the truck-full. (cheaper than you can get the individual parts) just $.02 more :-k
L8 APEKS makes a fine point, keeping up with the Jones's will kill your budget. stay with what feels good!

 

that rock hopper could make a sweet SS after you invest in a whole new bike. then you could have a race/trail bike and a SS for playing...

 

Why not?
If the geometry works for you and the deore components are problem free why change?
The frame is probably 1/2-3/4 lb heavier than the trek 8000 (3.5lbs). The complete bike weighs about 29.3lbs, but the tora fork weighs 5.3lbs and going with the magura will drop 2lbs. A good wheelset, with light tires and tubes will easily drop another 2lbs.

The Trek 8000 comes with xt/slx component, but it's a $2000
upgrade. It's stock weight is just under 25lbs.

Although I agree that buying used is the most economical way to upgrade.