Upgrade my current mountain bike or buy a new one?

[Ayahuasca]

I have a mountain bike, a hardtail Cannondale F9, which I believe is at the cheapo end of the market.

I have now discovered after using it for a bit that it is lacking in some areas as:

a) it has rim brakes, which when muddy stop working

b) the front suspension isn't easily adjustable

c) it doesn't have clip-in pedals


I would like to upgrade to disk brakes, adjustable suspension and clip-in pedals. Thing is, is it worth buying these bits and fitting them to my existing bike - the brakes would involve new wheels as well as the complete brake system - or is it normally better just to get a new bike with these already on?

Bike is used for some steepish muddy / rocky trails and the occasional mountain bike triathlon, but nothing too extreme.

[Jimbo.]

Unless your bike has disc mounts already, you've no choice but to replace the frame (therefore, the bike!) to one with disc mounts. A quick Google suggests that the F9 doesn't have said mounts, therefore, decision made.

NOT, however, that you need spend a million pounds on something shiny and new. If you've OK with the spanners, know your kit and are an eBay ninja, you could build something reasonable for not too much £££.

[blippo1984]

No bike off the rack comes with decent clip in pedals so just buy some off CRC.

Buy anew bike, convert old one to single speed

[joema]

Precisely.

If its pretty old you may be limited as to what you can buy as in what fits...

Is it worth investing when you essentially have the same bike?

Work out your budget. Either look 2nd hand stuff thats a couple of years old or buy new.

A set of discs, wheels, forks will easily cost £400 new. Whereas a £600 hard tail will be better.

[blippo1984]

Buy new but buy last years bike I'd say.

I'd start with Kona personally but trek, specialised and giant will give you good value for money