Upgrade current bike or buy new one?

[Pacman1978]

Apologies if this question is the umpteenth time posted, riding my bike is about as far as my knowledge goes.

Present bike is a Trek Marlin 5 (exact same as pictured) Bought it solely on the fact that the combo of red and black are an obsessive favourite! The specs are all contained in this link,
http://archive.trekbikes.com/us/en/2015/Trek/marli...

Bike is stock.. brake pads are in desperate need of changing, wanting to buy some decent lights and mudguards, maybe a new seat? In short is it worth upgrading any components or should I just upgrade to a newer/better bike?

Had it over a year nearly, ride 8 or so miles practically every day, never rode on anything except local roads. This is my only experience of a half decent bike bar riding a Apollo bso way back as a kid/teens. I love the 29" size wheels, I had doubts about making use of it which were gone within minutes of riding it, felt so light and very fast (to me) even with asthma/smoker.

I would like a bike that I could (tied to bike rack on car not ride there!) use on weekends away in N. Wales, guided rides/training/coaching and the likes of. Would of a full suspension be better? I paid under £250 for the bike (rrp's 399) is spending 500/550 a waste of time?



Sorry for mundane Qs, I wouldn't know the difference from a 300 quid bike to a 1k bike or the benefits/what to look for?

thanks for any pointers :-)

[TwilightJohnny]

I'd say the bike you have is perfect for what you do and what you're looking to do. Nothing needs upgrading, in fact it wouldn't be money well spent. If you find you're drawn to more extreme riding once you've tried some trails chop it in for something with better forks and hydraulic discs, you should get most of your money back on it. No need for full suspension unless you're going quite extreme.

[W00DY]

Lights and mudguards and a saddle that suits are all things you'd have to buy with a new bike anyway, so I'd stick with what you have. Brake pads can be had for very little money generally. Definitely not worth spending a lot on it.


If you wanted something for some proper MTBing then it wouldn't be much fun commuting, so I'd stick with the trek and add something else if you're keen.

[Pacman1978]

Thanks for the replies, I was set on buying a voodoo canzo (pre owned) but seems I thought right in keeping what I already have.

I must admit that even though the trek is on the low end of the scale of what some bikes can cost, it feels a bargain worth much more than they do. for a recent beginner like me its great, and the fact that I (wrongly) treat it like an old pair of wellies hasn't affected it, apart from (too many) punctures its very sturdy tough and reliable and can take a lot of abuse, goes months between any (deep) cleaning or oiling (six months til it was pointed out!)

Advice taken. Thank you