Rebuild or replace?
Discussion
I have a mtb which i have owned for a while, its a Marin Eldridge Grade Hardtail from around 2001/2. It has a few add-ons like Azonic downhill bars, richey wheels, Odyssey sharkbite pedals etc. However it squeaks when i pedal hard, the grips are shot, the brakes are not discs theyre just rubber on rim (shock horror 
) The thing is i am well back into a fitness regime and would like to start hammering the trail again.
So, is it worth looking around to find a new decent BB, convert it to disc brakes ( is that even possible?) replace all the deore lx chaingear, replace the grips and whatever else i can find to upgrade as its a damn fine, if a little dated bike. OR, do i give in to temptation and buy a newer one, already done?
If its the previous where do i start for quality, reasonably priced bits and how do i find out about compatibility? If its the latter, where do i start to look these days on a similar bike to a Marin EG?
) The thing is i am well back into a fitness regime and would like to start hammering the trail again. So, is it worth looking around to find a new decent BB, convert it to disc brakes ( is that even possible?) replace all the deore lx chaingear, replace the grips and whatever else i can find to upgrade as its a damn fine, if a little dated bike. OR, do i give in to temptation and buy a newer one, already done?
If its the previous where do i start for quality, reasonably priced bits and how do i find out about compatibility? If its the latter, where do i start to look these days on a similar bike to a Marin EG?
Onzlouk said:
I have a mtb which i have owned for a while, its a Marin Eldridge Grade Hardtail from around 2001/2. It has a few add-ons like Azonic downhill bars, richey wheels, Odyssey sharkbite pedals etc. However it squeaks when i pedal hard, the grips are shot, the brakes are not discs theyre just rubber on rim (shock horror ) The thing is i am well back into a fitness regime and would like to start hammering the trail again.
So, is it worth looking around to find a new decent BB, convert it to disc brakes ( is that even possible?) replace all the deore lx chaingear, replace the grips and whatever else i can find to upgrade as its a damn fine, if a little dated bike. OR, do i give in to temptation and buy a newer one, already done?
If its the previous where do i start for quality, reasonably priced bits and how do i find out about compatibility? If its the latter, where do i start to look these days on a similar bike to a Marin EG?
you may as well buy a new bike. it will be like spending thousands of pounds on a car restoration only to find that the car itself is only worth half the money you spent on it and its still not as good as a new car today. no disrespect but the eldridge grade wasnt high enough up the scale back then for me to even consider spending the sort of money on it you are describing. you will spend more than the cost of a good new bike on parts and labour. ) The thing is i am well back into a fitness regime and would like to start hammering the trail again. So, is it worth looking around to find a new decent BB, convert it to disc brakes ( is that even possible?) replace all the deore lx chaingear, replace the grips and whatever else i can find to upgrade as its a damn fine, if a little dated bike. OR, do i give in to temptation and buy a newer one, already done?
If its the previous where do i start for quality, reasonably priced bits and how do i find out about compatibility? If its the latter, where do i start to look these days on a similar bike to a Marin EG?
you can only fit new discs brakes if the forks have disc mounts and i doubt your forks do. you are perfectly well off with v-brakes or similar whilst the weather is good but they do suffer in mud/rain. there is no point spending money on a new groupset when the fundamental parts of the bike, wheels, frame and forks are old, heavy and unresponsive. .... yes it was a nice bike in its time but things have moved on a long long way. think of the difference between f1 cars now and in 1992.... keep it though, convert it to single speed, have some fun with it but its days on the trail in its current state are probably limited.
look for a new bike. £600 will find you something more than suitable for the job.
have a look at something like this: http://www.wiggle.co.uk/p/cycle/7/Focus_Northern_L... focus northern lite
http://www.merlincycles.co.uk/custom-mountain-bike... merlin malt
http://www.leisurewheels.co.uk/products.php?plid=m... merida matts
http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/... boardman sport
in general, i always find you get a better quality bike at that sort of price range if you err away from the likes of kona, trek etc who are fighting on the basis of their name. all four are good quality ally framed, reliable suspension and reliable transmission. the wheels wont be great but you get what you pay for and thats where ALL bike companies save money. they sucker you in with an XT rear mech and put s
t wheels on the bike cos no one thinks to look at that!....and lots of people still fall for it...of course if you want to spend more, we here on this forum are experts at telling people what to buy!
Some nice bikes there, except the Focus which has a description with the opening line:
"The FOCUS Northern Lite Series is aimed at the female rider looking for the best possible ride."
Yes, thanks for that
.
Love the Boardman stuff, i kept on looking at it in Halfrauds when work was talking about the cycle to work scheme which sadly we never joined.
Thanks for the quick response, ill not bother looking for any bits then, ill try and peruse the mtb section of the internet without getting caught by the OH
"The FOCUS Northern Lite Series is aimed at the female rider looking for the best possible ride."
Yes, thanks for that
.Love the Boardman stuff, i kept on looking at it in Halfrauds when work was talking about the cycle to work scheme which sadly we never joined.
Thanks for the quick response, ill not bother looking for any bits then, ill try and peruse the mtb section of the internet without getting caught by the OH
Hmm, can be a tricky decision. I was asking a similar question here:
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
Assuming your frame and forks are sound, and your frame has (or can be fitted with) a rear calliper mount, then you’d be looking at about £500 to upgrade your bike to a functional, durable, off-road spec. A quick look at Chain Reaction Cycles, Superstar Components and Merlin Cycles gave the following prices:
LX 9 speed shifters: £23
LX 9 speeed rear mech : £16
LX front mech : £20
LX crankset : £50
Deore 9 speed cassette : £20
Ceramic External bearing Bottom Bracket : £50
Lock-on grips: £10
Hope Discs front & rear : £210
New wheels with disc hubs : £85
You could probably get some stuff cheaper than these prices.
You could spend £500 on a new bike, or spend £500 upgrading yours. You’d
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
Assuming your frame and forks are sound, and your frame has (or can be fitted with) a rear calliper mount, then you’d be looking at about £500 to upgrade your bike to a functional, durable, off-road spec. A quick look at Chain Reaction Cycles, Superstar Components and Merlin Cycles gave the following prices:
LX 9 speed shifters: £23
LX 9 speeed rear mech : £16
LX front mech : £20
LX crankset : £50
Deore 9 speed cassette : £20
Ceramic External bearing Bottom Bracket : £50
Lock-on grips: £10
Hope Discs front & rear : £210
New wheels with disc hubs : £85
You could probably get some stuff cheaper than these prices.
You could spend £500 on a new bike, or spend £500 upgrading yours. You’d
- probably* get a better bike overall by upgrading yours, but as I said, depends on the state of your frame and forks. How fit-for-purpose would the components on a new £550 bike last before requiring uprating to something better? (I don’t know the answer to that question by the way!).
mk1fan said:
New bottom bracket - £15.
New Grips - £15.
General service in an LBS - £20.
A new bike is very nice but spending £50 now getting you back on the brown stuff gives you time to look around and make a more informed choice on a new bike. Things have changed since the Marin was 'new'.
Agreed - a basic service will probably top out at £100. After that you have a sellable bike and a useable bike. Use it till something new takes your fancy or you grow bored. New Grips - £15.
General service in an LBS - £20.
A new bike is very nice but spending £50 now getting you back on the brown stuff gives you time to look around and make a more informed choice on a new bike. Things have changed since the Marin was 'new'.
The modify for disk brakes is a lot of work and not worth it, new wheels and having lugs brazed on the frame then a frame re-spray. Probably cost less to buy a new bike.
Gooby said:
mk1fan said:
New bottom bracket - £15.
New Grips - £15.
General service in an LBS - £20.
A new bike is very nice but spending £50 now getting you back on the brown stuff gives you time to look around and make a more informed choice on a new bike. Things have changed since the Marin was 'new'.
Agreed - a basic service will probably top out at £100. After that you have a sellable bike and a useable bike. Use it till something new takes your fancy or you grow bored. New Grips - £15.
General service in an LBS - £20.
A new bike is very nice but spending £50 now getting you back on the brown stuff gives you time to look around and make a more informed choice on a new bike. Things have changed since the Marin was 'new'.
The modify for disk brakes is a lot of work and not worth it, new wheels and having lugs brazed on the frame then a frame re-spray. Probably cost less to buy a new bike.
I agree with you though - the disc conversion is the main problem in terms of cost and hassle for an old frame, but it can be done if you really want to. Depends what sort of rides it's for: discs are not a necessity after all.
I think I'd either refurbish it on the cheap or sell it to help fund the purchase of a replacement.
If you can get away with it just new grips and a new BB should be possible for around £30 + fitting.
If the transmission is worn you could possibly get a complete new chainset & bb for £50 from CRC, Merlin or ebay + new Deore Cassette & chain for another £30. Shifters, f/mech & r/mech will outlast several chains & cassettes so will probably be OK.
I don't think it is worth spending a lot on upgrading components for an old bike that isn't worth much (especially when basic Deore is excellent and inexpensive) and it sounds like your frame has no disc mounts which will make conversion costly. I certainly would'nt spend more than £120 as even after this the bike will only be worth about £180.
£500 buys some great hardtails these days and you may even be able to find one of them on offer for £400.
If you can get away with it just new grips and a new BB should be possible for around £30 + fitting.
If the transmission is worn you could possibly get a complete new chainset & bb for £50 from CRC, Merlin or ebay + new Deore Cassette & chain for another £30. Shifters, f/mech & r/mech will outlast several chains & cassettes so will probably be OK.
I don't think it is worth spending a lot on upgrading components for an old bike that isn't worth much (especially when basic Deore is excellent and inexpensive) and it sounds like your frame has no disc mounts which will make conversion costly. I certainly would'nt spend more than £120 as even after this the bike will only be worth about £180.
£500 buys some great hardtails these days and you may even be able to find one of them on offer for £400.
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