It’s running on the frame material that used to be used by Specialised’s top spec bike. The Global Mountain Bike Network is the best MTB YouTube channel, with videos for everyone who loves dirt: from the full-faced helmet downhill mountain biker … If possible, get your bike shop to swap the bits at time of purchase and haggle for a good deal. I understand I'd need a new set of wheels to accomodate this as well. With all the standards that have changed since 1999, I'd need a frameset, not just a frame, and on the bikes I was considering, a new crankset too. Check out our entire suite of free newsletters here. If your existing bike has these, keeping riding the old one is vastly more economical. (They’re the best cheap mountain bike upgrades you’ll find.) New bike day: Know when it’s time to upgrade an old bike to a new one. Add a suspension front fork, maybe some new shifters, and for under $500 you've got a newly capable singletrack bike. A $1800 bike will set you back $200 to $2200 just for typical add-ons. Sent from my Nokia Stupid Phone using Tapatalk I thought it was interesting enough to share with you all, so here goes: Love the website-great mix of stuff. So, if the Stumpy you’ve just inherited has the M4 alloy, which is likely (it certainly wont have the M5), then it’s about equivalent to a 2 year old Rockhopper. Free Member. If the stock grips are … Which is why my bike has upgrade everything but seatpost lol. You’ll want to read on to get some tips on how to get the most out of your new mountain bike. Your rear derailleur is a technological marvel. There are three major upgrades that every mountain bike owner can consider as an alternative to a new bike. Sizes Are Confusing – How Do I Know Which Bike Fits Me? About every 12 months. On that front, the Stumpy is a great piece of kit. Also I see the carbon upgrade as a long term bike. It’s fun. Maybe also a seatpost and front derailleur, but cranks and forks are large-ticket items. Mountain bikes have a hard life, so how often do you buy a new one ? Build a Mountain Bike vs Buy Complete: Does it Makes Sense My middle daughter Megan (20) seems to appreciate many of the same activities as me. Our mission to inspire readers to get outside has never been more critical. After our mountain bike reviews, there will be a guide to help you in knowing exactly what you need when buying your new mountain bike. They've come a long way since. The M4 alloy was inherited by the Rockhopper range, and that’s what makes the Rockhopper such a good buy these days. Required fields are marked *. Whether it is a fork or rear shock, you will be amazed at the technology these days in suspension, and how having a quality product gives you the confidence to … We’ll also offer a little bit of advice on suspension, and a guide on how much money to spend. While it's easy to lust after a new bike or eye up big-ticket items such as a new fork or wheels, it's possible to radically improve your ride with some well-chosen upgrades, even on a tight budget. Saddle We hope you’ll support us. Colin started mountain biking in the early 2000s and has haphazardly, and with barely increasing skill, dragged his bike around the majority of Scotland's trail centres since then. But in the case of the Stumpy, it wasn’t about what spec it was, it was the ride quality. The frame will have have a code for the type of material and what model the frame is on it, so it’s worth a little look. Grips. My Stumpy was still in very good condition, and I bought it with some cash left by a close relative. I have more plans (new seat, seatpost, bars etc). Saying that, that depends on you being able to find the old models. You’ll pay a few hundred at least for a decent spec one of them – the X-Fusion Slant RL2 is getting a lot of good reports just now. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google, Thanks for signing up! Last year we had an awesome trip to the Smoky Mountain National Park where we mountain biked, and fly fished. I’m a big fan of Fizik and WTB saddles for mountain bike use. This made interesting reading, as I have just completely overhauled my Stumpy 01 M4 with new kit. Choosing a Steel Mountain Bikes: Is Steel Still Real? I have an even older mountain bike that is due for retirement, so I was trying to figure out whether to stick with the stumpjumper + the cost of upgrades or invest in new kit. You’re right to think about whether it’s worth the upgrade though – let’s look at the options. If everyone only bought new bikes, every time a person buys a new bike to upgrade, their old one would sit in a garage for an eternity and then get thrown out. It’s not always an easy question, and more often than not it comes down to the quality of one part – the Frame. So, you’re not looking at a cheap upgrade here, but you will end up with a really good bike at the end of it. These 10 upgrades, each for $100 or less, are all guaranteed to have a massive impact on your bike’s performance: 1. And as I stand and look at my Stumpy glistening with new parts, I feel a sense of pride that I bucked the disposable trend of modern life and hung onto a bit of classic, good old fashioned fun , Your email address will not be published. I’ve got a 2002 specialized stumpjumper far xc, barely ridden, off a mate who is moving overseas. It needs some work from having sat a while, and I’m wondering if it would still serve as a decent xc mountain bike. AKA, grips and tires. Help fund our award-winning journalism with a contribution today. Off-the-peg bikes often come with stems that are too long and bars that are too narrow and grips that just don’t suit your hands. First up: wheels. If so, is it worth putting some money into updating the front shock or the groupo? Your email address will not be published. Time outside is essential—and we can help you make the most of it. Ideally, I'd like to upgrade to the new 11-speed Shimano 105 5800 or Ultegra groupsets. Most new mountain bikes have them as standard. Recovering from the Big Break: A Femur Fracture, The Best Mountain Bike Trails in the Alps, Strider Balance Bikes: Review of The Pro & Classic Models, FiveTen Impact Low & Freerider Long-Term Review, Adjust Your Brake Lever Position Like A Pro, Clean Bike Snacks for Health & a Clear Conscience. Almost certainly you’ll want to overhaul the groupset too. It now sports Mavic Crossrides, a mix of new (9 speed though) XT and XTR. >>> The best mountain bike handlebars >>> The best mountain bike grips >>> Best mountain bike stems in 2019. If you’re buying a lot of upgrade parts at retail prices, you’ll certainly pay more than if those same parts come installed on a new bike. There are plenty of old 2011 or 2010 models still for sale out there though, so you can pick up the top quality M4 frame if you look around. Remember, buying a new bike is only the start -- it still will need pedals, a saddle bag, cycling computer, lights, etc. 3. Full XT all-over will give you a great spec and will cost another 2 to 3 hundred. Which is a smarter move, to upgrade my current carbon frame or sell outright and just go buy new from my LBS? So you’re better comparing prices to those Rockhoppers when thinking about whether to buy new components or buy a new rig altogether. It’s one of the best quality cross country frames on the market and to inherit one for free is a pretty huge bonus! On the other hand, you’d get a decent wee payment on eBay for your old frame, which would go well towards a totally new bike and save you the maintenance work. Mountain bikes, like many other things, depreciate, so when you buy one in brand-new condition, no depreciation has occurred yet. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Posted 4 years ago. Now I wouldn’t have upgraded any old frame, and I admit it’s partly sentiment involved. Subscribe to our What You Missed newsletter for the top headlines from the outdoor world, in your inbox six days a week. It’s about the process and the experience, not the outcome. Specialized made a bit of a tech leap and upgraded their frame material, and the new Stumpjumper frames are M5. Though costly, they unlock a world of new function. The bike is in mint condition and I have no idea what it would be worth on CL. Google+ Colin. Thank you. Subscribe to our newsletters to stay up-to-date on the latest outdoor news. Colin has oodles of hard earned experience in how NOT to do things - listen, be warned and don't repeat his mistakes...   More about Colin... It’s stiff as a board, but livelier than any carbon frame I’ve ridden. It climbs like a mule. I recently got an email through from a reader who’d had a bit of luck and inherited an old Stumpjumper. I was wondering if I could draw on your experience. Finding the Right Bike, the Right Upgrades & the Skills to Thrash it. Dream riding destinations and wrapping up the season | MBA Podcast S3 E13, Buying Mountain Bikes and Equipment Reviews, Learning New Bike Skills – Bunny Hops and more, Mountain Bike Racing – Reports, News and Advice, Mountain Bike Training and General Cycling Training. Granted, I’ve spent nearly a grand in pound sterling on it. Great articles. The main thing on this is the material it’s made from. In recent years, Outside Online has reported on groundbreaking research linking time in nature to improved mental and physical health, and we’ve kept you informed about the unprecedented threats to America’s public lands. After a few rides, consider getting some new rubber. New Mountain Bike Tires. On the other hand, mountain bike technology has progressed so … In terms of what to upgrade, you’ve hit the nail on the head there. Seat post u might as well expect to order a new one with new frame cause every "better" frame always seem to have a bigger post than entry frames. Find more newsletters on our, our entire suite of free newsletters here. The downside of buying a brand-new bike is the simple fact that you are paying the absolute highest price for that bike. The only thing to consider is that, at that age, it’ll be the old Stumpjumper spec. Plus tires bridge the gap between normal mountain-bike and fat-bike tires, ranging in width from 2.8 to 3.25 inches, and are typically paired with rims that are 35- to 45mm wide internally. m0rk. For one, if you literally don't have the money for a new bike, and you're too impatient to save for months and months to do a "one shot" new bike purchase, then upgrading a current bike piecemeal lets you go in the direction you want to go, starting now. Ok, so after reading this you might be saying, “That’s all well and good, but I can’t afford to buy a new bike. In other words, for most people, mountain biking is about what you do, not what you have. Upgrading the suspension on your mountain bike is one of the best things you can do to breathe new life into your bike. Put simply, disc brakes are recommended. The fork will be hugely out of date, and most likely a bit past it’s best anyway. A bike components maker called PNW recently launched a program to buy back used parts, refurbish them and sell them again at a discount. The upshot of that is lighter, more durable material that makes for a better ride. At that point, I decided that my mountain bike is my only 'A' bike. In this latest video, Jack and Joe talk about their all-time best mountain-bike upgrades from their time here at BikeRadar. While we love to advocate using the local bike shop, we know there can be deals out there on both new and used parts from online retailers. The best mountain bike derailleurs today are durable, easy to tune and can shift smoothly even under load. Anyway, hope that helps, and let me know how you get on with it! To buy a mountain bike with reliable disc brakes, expect to pay at least $450. This applies for buying most things. Oftentimes, I think we take our tires for granted. When you buy a new bike, you get a big discount on the parts. Our rigorous coverage helps spark important debates about wellness and travel and adventure, and it provides readers an accessible gateway to new outdoor passions. I don’t know the full range off the top of my head, but old Stumpjumpers, I believe, were M4 alloy. Hopefully things like the seatpost, the bars, the stem, etc are all still in decent nick – they don’t wear much – so that’ll save you a bit of money at least. Info given by the manufacturer: Most manufacturers will have a range of sizes available for each bike. I could’ve gotten a new Rockhopper for sure with the money I spent. Looking for something else? This comes down to upgrade or replace. I found some cheap and decent Raceface cranks, and have liberally applied ti bolts. Now, the one addendum to that is that I’ve just discovered that Specialized seem to have downgraded their new Rockhoppers, so the 2012/13 models are on A1 alloy, which is a bit heavier and less durable. First invented in 1906, it was clunky, unpopular and had two speeds. Benefits and downsides of buying a used mountain bike It was in too good a condition, and too sentimental to dispose of. But if you hate the saddle, switch it! After A Few Rides. Very few people will claim to mountain bike because they like looking good in their latest gear, or because it gives them the chance to show off their recent upgrade to their mates. To inspire active participation in the world outside through award-winning coverage of the sports, people, places, adventure, discoveries, health and fitness, gear and apparel, trends and events that make up an active lifestyle. Yeah, all mountain bikes have tires, my bike’s always had tires on it… I’ve never ridden a bike without tires. On that front, the Stumpy is a great piece of kit. Also, retro frames are now very cool in the bike world, and to update a good looking, good riding frame to modern spec is considered a good move in the retro world. Here’s an Affordable New Way to Upgrade Your Mountain Bike. It's Ask GMBN time again, where we answer as many of your mountain biking questions as we can. Entry geo for my trek frame was used up thru racing hts so good enough for now. We've singled out some key upgrades that'll give you change from £100 - and we've named the bits that you shouldn't bother with. When you go this route, be sure to know your bike inside and out to keep from buying something that is not compatible with your bike. Making a financial contribution to Outside Online only takes a few minutes and will ensure we can continue supplying the trailblazing, informative journalism that readers like you depend on. This comes down to upgrade or replace. When you do decide to perform a major overhaul on your bike frame, you'll want to know what's available. Should I Upgrade an Old Mountain Bike or Buy a New One? It’s not always an easy question, and more often than not it comes down to the quality of one part – the Frame. I hadn’t used it enough by far too, and I felt it owed me a few good years yet. You should buy a new derailleur for the same reason the first one was invented: Because you want to climb better. 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