Build/Improve my Hardtail

[Surfr]

I've got a 1999 Marin Quake 5.0. It seems to be respected as a solid frame but the rest of the components are a little lacking.

http://www.bikemagic.com/news/article/mps/uan/769
http://lordhanter.es.tripod.com/palmerracingteam/i...

How would you improve it?

I have been off the bikes for about 8 years bar 1 or 2 rides a year on my back garden track (Nant-yr-Arian). Most of my riding would be XC at the above location and other Welsh tracks. I'm not looking to spend thousands but would like to bring it up to date a bit. Basically, I'm after a strong lightish XC bike which can take a beating. I'm short and squat 5'9" and short in the leg and arm but generally, the bike fits ok. I might like a raise in the bar slightly and the seatpost needs to be long (it squeeks at the moment at the full extent so I'm not very confident about the life of the existing post.) Can I upgrade to hydro disc brakes? Presume new forks would be required for the lugs but what about the rear? Anyway, I'd love to hear your ideas/shopping lists Or advice (chuck it and start again?, single speed it? etc.)

[GreatGranny]

I would chuck it and buy a decent hardtail, even a 1/2 year old one. Just upgrading with a decent set of disc wheels, forks and disc brakes will cost the same as a decent hardtail with discs.
Things have come along way since 1999 and costs have come down hugely as well.
You can buy this for £540!
http://www.merlincycles.co.uk/?fn=product&prod...

[Jimbo.]

Go to Summit Cycles and speak to Jo et al to see what they've got to say. Usually got something nice for sale S/H too

re. bikes. Abused my '07n Spesh Rockhopper around Nant numerous times, and 'twas more than adequate.

[Moe_Szyslak]

These are fantastic frames, if you are happy with a hardtail then keep it. I woudl upgrade the forks to something more modern, it should take up to 115mm travel I would think, maybe 130mm. And discs are not a bad idea and are very well priced nowadays.

[Surfr]

Moe_Szyslak said:

These are fantastic frames, if you are happy with a hardtail then keep it. I woudl upgrade the forks to something more modern, it should take up to 115mm travel I would think, maybe 130mm. And discs are not a bad idea and are very well priced nowadays.

How can I go about getting disks onto the frame though? I presume It would require welding on of some new mounts on the rear triangle near the dropouts.

[Hard-Drive]

You can buy an adaptor, but seriously think hard about chucking too much money at it. By the time you've added discs and a fork that's some outlay and there are decent bikes out there for not much money...OK so not going to set the world alight but I got a s/h Rockhopper for my missus for £100, disc ready, so gave me the perfect opportunity to upgrade my stoppers and pass them on to her!

[Surfr]

I'd rather not buy a whole new bike right now. I just wondered whether it was worth upgrading components on this one or not. It seems there are vastly differing opinions on whether to bother or not.

Here's a couple photos of the bike in question. It looks like I might have the lugs for disk brakes anyway?

[snotrag]

Surfr said:

I just wondered whether it was worth upgrading components on this one or not.

Its not. New Brakes, plus new wheels, (you dont have disc ready hubs) plus new forks will run you £400 EASY.

You can buy a cracking bike for £400. Hell you can buy a brand new Marin B-17 for less than £600 I think.

[PooPoo]

(sorry) but i have a Kona Kula Primo for grabs (20inch frame) cost £1600 in 07'. Looking for £500. E-mail if interested.

PP.

[Matt H]

Buy a new bike & keep that one for pub/playing.

I have been in a similar situation to you with my 2001 Mount Vision, in the end I have bought an Orange P7 pro.......... this brings the bike stable up to 3 - road, full sus & hardtail (obviously excluding the bike ready for the turbo trainer & the rigid hack for towing the kids trailer)

[Hard-Drive]

Agree with the others. Still not worth doing. Very easy to blow quite a lot of cash on that bike and still end up with the same thing that feels only ever so slightly better and is worth not much. You have a front disc mount but I think the back ones are mudguard/carrier eyelets as they are on both sides. If that fork is 10 years old and not serviced regularly and you put hydraulic stoppers on it will probably feel a bit wobbly anyway.

There really are some cracking deals about at the moment which really will make more sense long term, chances are as is you need wheels, tyres, forks, discs, casette, f/r mechs, chain, chainrings and headset, and that will be more than a new bike!

There's nothing wrong with your bike, it's just not worth splashing cash on. As mentioned, clean it, service it, and keep it as a much better than average pub bike that is not first in line to get stolen but will still be a decent ride.

[Surfr]

OK fair enough. I conceed. I'l look into the cycle2work scheme and maybe add a FS XC bike to the stable. FSR Comp perhaps?

[Matt H]

Surfr said:

OK fair enough. I conceed. I'l look into the cycle2work scheme and maybe add a FS XC bike to the stable. FSR Comp perhaps?

no go & enjoy shopping!