|   Former Upgrade-itis Sufferer Has Long-Overdue Epiphany | ssn714
Apr 24, 2003 12:05 PM | | This post is to point out a fact which should be obvious to all of us, but often is dismissed in the shine and luster of the latest and greatest bikes, frames and parts. I used to be the type of guy that "had to have" the very best of the best equipment for whatever I was into, no matter if I knew I would only be able to enjoy it on occasion. How else was I supposed to enjoy it? How could I have a good time unless my stuff was the baddest, nicest, coolest, cutting-edge thing available? It was always the same, whether it was fast cars, motorcycles, scuba diving, woodworking, lawn mowers, weight lifting, computers, yada yada, and of course, mountain biking.
I fell in love with mountain bikes back in college on a rigid Trek 850 with 21 speeds, STX components and cantilever brakes. Of course that wouldn't do, so I built a very nice Litespeed, and over the next three years, I constantly upgraded every single component until the only original part was the frame itself, even though very few of the pieces I "had to" replace were broken or worn out. I dropped a mint into that bike. Then I got married, changed jobs, had a daughter and basically quit biking for about three years. Other hobbies (the equipment for which also had to be top of the line) took the place of riding.
Then, early last summer, in the process of losing what ended up being more than 45 pounds, I decided I wanted to get back into riding, so I took my Litespeed for a complete overhaul and some new XT splined cranks, etc. In my defense, the Caramba cranks that were on there were had rounded out and wouldn't stay snug on the bottom bracket anymore. Then my bike was stolen of the top of my car before I could even ride it. Luckily, my homeowner's insurance covered it, and I proceeded to buy a used FSR XC, which of course I had to upgrade, because a lot of its components simply weren't up to my standards. I needed that Thomson seatpost! I rode the bike a total of three times and couldn't stand it. So it sat in my basement all winter, just as my Litespeed had for the previous three years.
When spring rolled around, I was in a little better shape, and determined to get back into mountain biking. My eyes lit up thinking about a new bike, but I had a family to think about, and as much as I'd like to have had 03 XTR on a custom Seven Sola, it simply wasn't going to happen. So I made a deal with my wife, that I'd sell my FSR and build a hard tail as cheap as I could while still getting decent components and a few items that, after careful consideration and much contemplation, I really, really, really wanted.
I found a barley used Litespeed Pisgah frame with a headset for $700 here on MTBR, and set out to build the most economical Litespeed possible. I know some of you are thinking I'm crazy for thinking ti is economical, but this will be the last bike I have, and I really mean that.
I searched MTBR, rec.bicycles on Google, eBay, and all the online shops for bang-for-your-buck components, and paid a local shop to assemble it all.
Here's the bike I ended up with:
02 Litespeed Pisgah frame, 02 Marzocchi EXR Comp coil-spring fork ($150 at PricePoint), 01 Avid SD-7 levers & mechanical disc brakes (OEM off eBay), 02 Deore disc hubs with Rhyno Lite rims($89 at Jenson), 02 LX cranks (used), shifters, front & rear derailleurs, XT bb (used) & cassette, Avid Straight Jacket cables, NOS Syncros alloy seatpost ($29 at PricePoint), Yeti/ODI grips, Titec Hellbent riser bar, HG-93 chain, and I took the Avocet saddle, Koski stem and Time pedals off my FSR before selling it.
I ended up with about $800 additional money in the "new" bike after selling my FSR. Now I have a bike that really fits me, feels great, and will last for many years, especially considering how relatively seldom I get to ride. The components aren't the latest, lightest or coolest, but for once I honestly don't care. Would I like to have King disc hubs and tubeless wheels on it? Of course, but I doubt the improved ride would offset my downgraded wallet.
My point -- and I do have one, even though this post probably seems endless -- is that we really don't need the latest hot things to have a blast riding our bikes. When I was constantly upgrading and obsessing over looks (but not so much on weight), it took away from the enjoyment of being outside, going fast and really sweating out all the stresses of the day or week. I took a road trip to a bike festival with my new-to-me bike this past weekend, and had more fun than I've had in years, despite getting dropped on the very first hill of the very first ride, and never seeing those guys again. Hey, at least they weren't in the way on the downhills!
Find a bike you like, don't jump from upgrade to upgrade, and just have fun RIDING. That's why we got into this sport in the first place, right? |
| Yeah, don't let your gear own you. Legs and lungs, not equip. | BrianD
Apr 25, 2003 7:47 AM | | Last winter I found a 2000 model year fisher paragon for $750 at an lbs (complete bike). Pick on Bontrager components all you want, but my bike kicks ass and I love it. No upgrades necessary. My road bike - a $1,200 fuji roubaix pro. Reynolds 853 steel, shimano 105 components, and on group rides i smoke guys on high end Italian bikes with spinergy wheels and all that. I'll never forget my XC racing days - wathching people on even crappier bikes than my 1989 fully rigid specialized hard rock make me swallow their dust. I enjoy riding on my "modern" bike as much as I did then. Smile and have fun! Hug a freerider!
Happy pedaling! |
| Good lesson, | Kpicha
Apr 25, 2003 2:17 PM | | it's good to see that some people still have perspective :) That's what its all about, just having fun!
Enjoy your "new" ride!
Cheers,
Kristina |
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