Upgrade or replace my MTB?

[R2FU]

I currently ride a 2001 Kona Manomano, mostly on trails. ( spec here)

It has served me well and I really enjoy riding it. My main complaint would be lack of disc brakes and I also keep hearing how much suspension technology has come on in the last few years.

I'm planning to step up the amount of riding I do and venture a bit further afield to seek out some more challenging riding, so I'm wondering if it's time to change bike. I really like the look of the Orange Five Pro or a Lapierre Zesty, but at around £2.7k for the Orange it has got me thinking whether spending a few hundred quid upgrading the Kona is worth considering first? On the other hand, I don't mind spending the money on a new bike if it is going to open up a whole new world of riding to me.

I know this is very subjective, but appreciate any thoughts as to whether to try the upgrade route first (and if so what bits are recommended) or just consign the Kona to being a backup bike and invest in a new steed.

Thanks in advance!

[Louisa911]

My boyfriend has the Orange Five S, he got it for £2k. I think he really likes it, took a bit of getting used to after riding a Norco freeride bike for the past 5 years but he likes it a lot. Only drawback is that he feels he wouldn't be able to take it to the same limits he took previous bikes, he's a very tall rider at 6'7" and quite an aggressive one at that, and doesn't feel it would take some of the drops he's used to. He managed to bend the swingarm and crack the rear bearing or something silly like that, without even doing anything daft on it, but fixed under warranty. But for trail riding in general, I think he finds its superb. I wouldn't personally spend the extra £600 on the Pro model, the S seems perfectly capable for what you need it for.

If you're looking at spending less, I'd suggest having a look at the Mongoose Teocali (Elite or Super). It got great reviews from all the main mtb reviewers, I bought a second hand 2007 Elite model a few months ago for £400 on ebay, spent £100 on a new cassette, chain and shifters, and put some SLX brakes on I had lying around, and its made a great trail bike. Plenty of travel up front and a great rear system too. Definately worth taking a look, brand new Teocalis can be had on ebay from proper bike stores for under £1k.

[Roman]

I wouldn't bother upgrading, for what it would cost you for some new Reba or 2nd hand Fox forks, disc brakes & wheels you could buy a decent 2nd hand Mongoose Toecali/GT/Spesh FSR.

Or for a little more something new from here:
http://www.paulscycles.co.uk/products.php?plid=m1b...

There are currently some great deals around on the 2010 Zesty & Commencal Meta if you're quick!

[anonymous-user]

replace. upgrading the kona is probably not worth the money as it is expensive to pick up new parts individually and what you end up with is a lot of expensive parts on an old frame. the kona was not the epitomy of frame design so i wouldnt be hanging gucci parts on it in the hope it transforms the bike.

although its a similar approach, i would seriously look at a self build Pace RC 405, the frame is utterly sublime and can cover all multitde of sins so you can ride it anywhere and it will deliver the goods. a friend has one and i am enormously jealous. you can then spec the bike how you want it and spend the money where it is most useful and cut corners like a factory spec bike. forks, wheels, control points, then grouppo.....

[shalmaneser]

Upgrade, definitely.

As above, look at the Meta, Zesty, Treks are good also.

[R2FU]

Thanks all - sounds like a unanimous vote in favour of a new bike! I think that's what I was hoping to hear, but I am still quite attached to the old Kona. I won't feel so bad about pensioning it off now!

I'll probably be asking lots of dumb questions about bike specs now. To pick up on a point Louisa911 made - when I start comparing the spec of an Orange Five S vs the Five Pro, or a Zesty 214 vs 314 vs 514, it seems like you are paying quite a lot more money for the same bike but with a few bits that are slightly better. To put it simply, as a keen but mere mortal rider, will I really notice the difference these things make? (to the same basic bike that is).

I'm all for maximising my bang for the buck but equally don't want to end up wishing I'd spent that bit extra to get the *right* spec.

Edited by R2FU on Monday 1st November 14:19

[sjg]

I used to have a Manomano. It was rubbish when I got rid of it in 2004 or so. Suspension bikes now are light years ahead of that flexy POS - if you can afford to upgrade then you'll notice a huge difference.

[anonymous-user]

R2FU said:

Thanks all - sounds like a unanimous vote in favour of a new bike! I think that's what I was hoping to hear, but I am still quite attached to the old Kona. I won't feel so bad about pensioning it off now!

I'll probably be asking lots of dumb questions about bike specs now. To pick up on a point Louisa911 made - when I start comparing the spec of an Orange Five S vs the Five Pro, or a Zesty 214 vs 314 vs 514, it seems like you are paying quite a lot more money for the same bike but with a few bits that are slightly better. To put it simply, as a keen but mere mortal rider, will I really notice the difference these things make? (to the same basic bike that is).

I'm all for maximising my bang for the buck but equally don't want to end up wishing I'd spent that bit extra to get the *right* spec.

Edited by R2FU on Monday 1st November 14:19

every bike is a compromise unless you build it yourself and spec what you wnat where you want. the manufacturers all have to hit a price bracket to be in line with their competition so often you will find loads of bikes priced similarly and of an almost identical spec and most people makea choice based on colour or brand loyalty. frames are similar throughout a range so a zesty 314 and 514 will share a frame, the rear shock and forks will change and get better in terms of response and quality of material the more you spend. do not underestimate the difference between those bits" though... a good quality fork can make your day so much more enjoyable whereas a lower spec fork wont take the same level of punishment and will mar a good day out. same for rear shocks, hubs and mechs...

as an example you will struggle to notice the difference between XT and XTR but you will most liekly notice the difference between Deore and XT but as i stress to everyone, the real gains are to be found in shocks and wheels. if you are on a budget, Deore is perfectly capable of changing gears for you so spend the money on other kit that will make a difference...

[R2FU]

This deal at Evans on a 2010 Zesty 214 looks like a bit of a bargain.

Any obvious low points in its spec that would frustrate over time? I'm guessing from what you've said there are some compromises in the wheels/fork/shock spec?

Thanks.

[Dr S LB]

If you are budget concious I would go the self build route. Also a top notch hardtail is much better than an average full susser. Ebay should be your starting point. Loads of riders want the latest kit and you can find some belting parts in great condition that are only a year old at bargain prices.
Start with something like a new Cotic BeFe frame and build it up with a second hand 140-150 fork, decent wheels, 1 x 9 gearing and reuse some of the parts from your old Kona- you can always upgrade when things wear out.

i built my Cotic up for around £1500 and that included a new frame and Magura Thor fork. Its a fantastic bike and is always first out of the shed. I now only use my susser for realy big stuff. A good hartail is so much fun to ride and in the right hands will keep up with the majority of riders on any bike!

A good hunting ground for modern frames and parts is retrobike.co.uk
Amongst the oldskool stuff you will find some bargain high end modern stuff. those guys really look after their kit too so you won't be dissapointed with what you end up with.

Si

[a11y_m]

R2FU said:

This deal at Evans on a 2010 Zesty 214 looks like a bit of a bargain.

Any obvious low points in its spec that would frustrate over time? I'm guessing from what you've said there are some compromises in the wheels/fork/shock spec?

Thanks.

That's EXACTLY what I was going to link to - an absolute bargain IMO and with a fairly good spec. Not sure the spec is acceptable at the bike's RRP, but at that price it's bloody good:
- frame is well worth upgrading (same frame for all Zesty models apart from the top carbon rear-ended one)
- forks are adequate but not great, but would certainly be an improvement over the OP's current forks
- brakes are awesome (I've got the same on my Lapierre Spicy)


I picked up my Spicy 216 for the same price earlier this year, again a bargain. Not sure if there's any left anywhere but if anyone's after more travel then it's a good option.

[Roman]

Bargain.

Some great offers on the 2010 Commencal Meta as well if you want to upgrade to a Fox fork at the front:
http://www.evanscycles.com/search.html?brand=Comme...

I doubt you'd feel much difference between Deore & SLX to be honest so I think the fork would be the only noticeable compromise on the 214 compared to the 314. The Recon is slightly heavier than the Fox but as I've only ridden Fox at 140mm it could ride as well for all I know.

[shalmaneser]

a11y_m said:

R2FU said:

This deal at Evans on a 2010 Zesty 214 looks like a bit of a bargain.

Any obvious low points in its spec that would frustrate over time? I'm guessing from what you've said there are some compromises in the wheels/fork/shock spec?

Thanks.

That's EXACTLY what I was going to link to - an absolute bargain IMO and with a fairly good spec. Not sure the spec is acceptable at the bike's RRP, but at that price it's bloody good:
- frame is well worth upgrading (same frame for all Zesty models apart from the top carbon rear-ended one)
- forks are adequate but not great, but would certainly be an improvement over the OP's current forks
- brakes are awesome (I've got the same on my Lapierre Spicy)


I picked up my Spicy 216 for the same price earlier this year, again a bargain. Not sure if there's any left anywhere but if anyone's after more travel then it's a good option.

The Zesty is a great bike but the fork lets it down - it really benefits from a bolt though front end.

Also worth looking at the comparable Meta 5.5, shorter back end a bit better on technical trails. Also better parts on it.

[anonymous-user]

the zesty frame is one of the best out there at the momnet capable of doing everything to a high standard. together with the trek and giant full sus designs its a top notch all rounder.

with regards to the 214, to get that frame (shared throughout the range) and a fox rear shock, yes there are compromises but not that many, and none that you would want to change right away. the weak point are the alex rims but they should last a good 18 months of abuse before you need to uprgade....

i would look at the super 4 http://www.evanscycles.com/products/commencal/supe... too. its a xc bias but can still handle the relly rough stuff and only a few years ago, the downhill bikes were running 4" travel front and rear and you have to ask whether anything else is really necessary for your intended use. i love mine to pieces, it absolutely flies on the trails and climbs like a goat.