|   Upgrades | Darrell
Dec 17, 2003 1:08 PM | | I bought a Trek 4500 in June and I am fortunate to live in the Charlotte, NC area where there are an abundance of bike trails to ride on. I am a little over 6 feet tall and weigh in around 220 lbs. I am getting a little better on the trails, but I still basically suck at it. I would like to hear some $$ value upgrades that will help the bike, but not kill my wallet. |
| re: Upgrades | VaughnA
Dec 17, 2003 1:26 PM | | I'm assuming you have shorts,helmet,gloves and maybe a camelback. If you don't have them yet then clipless pedals and shoes should be number 1 IMHO. Get some better tires, ask around to see what works best for your local condidions. I remember the original tires on my 4500 being a POS. Tools and "Zinn and the Art of Mountain bike maintenance" are also a good idea. As for the rest of it, ride it until it wears out. Put the money aside for your next bike, I did and it didn't take long until I wanted a better one.
Just my 2 small units of currency.
Vaughn |
| Start saving for your next bike | jeffj
Dec 17, 2003 1:26 PM | | In the mean time, the only thing I might add, given your size, is some Avid mechanical discs to give you better stopping power. Your bike is worthy of serious trail riding, but adding upgrades needlessly is not money well spent. Otherwise, you won't be able to stop until the only original part left will be the frame. Been there, done that with a 96' GT Outpost.
Other than that, just ride it lots and only replace what breaks. By the time you have thrashed this bike, you'll be ready (saved enough $$$) to purchase a more expensive/sophisticated rig. |
| Start saving for your next bike | Darrell
Dec 17, 2003 2:03 PM | | Thank you for your comments. I have a dilemma. The company I work for allows us $300. per year for the Wellness Program. I am riding pavement during the week because it is dark when I get home from work. I am considering getting a road bike, so I will have a bike for each specific purpose. My other option would be to sell my mountain bike, buy a better one (maybe Trek 6700) and get another wheel set for the road. What do you think????? |
| Start saving for your next bike | VaughnA
Dec 17, 2003 4:26 PM | | I'm setting myself up for torture but I say get a road bike. I love riding both. Road riding is great when the trails are too wet or you just want to get in a quick ride at lunch. And they help each other as far as fitness. Road riding has helped my endurance. You can get out a nd ride for hours without stopping on the road. It's a little harder to ride a long time on the mountain bike without taking breaks. Just my 2 cents.
Vaughn |
| Start saving for your next bike | johnbigboote
Dec 19, 2003 9:23 AM | | I think you'll end up with two bikes, as so many of us do. Clipless pedals and shoes are a great upgrade, and will easily transfer to the next bike, be it mountain or road. Don't throw money at components for the first bike, beyond pedals. As to separate wheels for road riding, all you need are separate tires (slicks). A set of slicks cost < $50 and take 10 minutes to swap out. A set of wheels cost > $250 and take 5 minutes to swap out. |
| Lights!!! | Bmateo
Jan 5, 2004 11:48 AM | | "I am riding pavement during the week because it is dark when I get home from work. "
How bout a set of decent lights. I know there is a good MTB scene in Charlotte, and plenty of night rides. Like others said, replace what you need, when what you have breaks. Don't go for the 6700, as it is not that much different from what you have, won't be worth the money.
Get a decent set of lights (Jet Phantoms for around $200) and use the rest for a rainy day, or some of the other good suggestions.
If you have not already done it, log onto www.smallbrowndog.com, it is the charlotte mountainbiking local site. Great bunch of guys down there, and a lot of fun to ride with. |
| Lights!!! | Darrell
Jan 6, 2004 7:35 AM | | Thanks a bunch!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! |
| Original question..... | FreeRangeChicken
Dec 18, 2003 9:23 AM | | Going back to your original question, probably the most notable upgrade for the money on that bike would be an XT rear derailleur and a set of XT shifters and brake levers with good cables to go with them. I'm guessing that bike probably has Deore or ST level components. My personal opinion is that XT components give the best price/performance/durability value. These components will make a notable change in the quality of shifting on your bike
For your money, these components will probably give you the biggest performance gain. You can switch those parts to another bike later if you get another bike.
From JensonUSA.com
XT rear derailleur: ~$49
XT Shifters with brake levers (includes cables): ~$75
Total: $124
Throw in a nice SRAM Chain (~$20)
XT Front Derrailleur (~20) |
| Original question..... | Darrell
Dec 19, 2003 11:54 AM | | Thank you for the info. I will definitely look into that. Happy trails to you. |
| wheels or a new fork | thebronze
Dec 19, 2003 6:49 PM | | Darrell, the best upgrade you can get is either a set of wheels or a good fork. Good wheels will last you a while and will easily transfer to a new bike as should a fork as long as the tube isnt cut too short. You will notice wheels immediately as you can cost farther and roll better. When I switched to a marzocchi mx comp from a manitou sxr I could not believe the difference. A good fork easily makes your bike more fun to ride as do wheels. I have upgraded seat posts, handlebars, stems, derailleurs, brakes, and couldnt tell the difference. A good seat would be a nice upgrade too.
$300 should cover either a fork or wheels very nicely. |
| My 2 cents | seely
Dec 20, 2003 9:33 AM | | The 4500 is a very worthy frame for upgrading. If you are not that great of a rider yet, just ride the bike and analyze what you don't like about it.
Does the front shock feel rubbery or bottom out constantly? heavier springs or a new fork will help
Do the wheels frequently need to be trued, does the bike feel sluggish on take off and uphill? think lighter wheelset...
Does the front come up a lot on steep inclines? consider a longer stem with less rise...
Disc brakes are a worthy upgrade if you get a disc wheelset too, cause the brakes on a 4500 aren't that great.
Overall the Bontrager components on a 4500 aren't that great so you might start there. When your cassette wears out get a XT rear cassette and derailleur, but its just stupid to replace it before it wears out. Front derailleurs dont matter as much but the XT front is nice. |
| My 2 cents | Darrell
Jan 2, 2004 9:45 AM | | Thanks for the excellent information. I will consider it all carefully before I put anything new on my 4500. |
| |
