To buy or upgarde?

jimh_123
jimh_123 Posts: 66
edited June 2008 in MTB buying advice
I have an old (1994) Trek 950, which I love, but needs some attention. I need a new set of wheels and would love to upgrade to V brakes, however this means I need new thumb shifters, stem and bar. The total for parts comes to around £200.

Shoild I go ahead and buy the parts and get my bike back as new (and improved) or should i go out and buy a new bike like the Carrera Vulcan for about £275.

I love my Trek, its been with me all these years and has stood up to some amount of punishment, but finding parts that fit is getting harder.

I haven't got a big budget to spend (£300) hence my problem.

Please someone help!!

Comments

  • xtreem
    xtreem Posts: 2,965
    14 years old bike and you are still riding it? :shock:
    It probably has scratches on it. :roll:
    I would buy the Carrera. It looks nice. :)
  • supersonic
    supersonic Posts: 82,708
    There is no doubt that 275 quid on the Vulcan would make a better bike than 275 quid on upgrading the trek. However I think that it could come in a lot cheaper than you think - 30 for V brake set, 20 for shifters, 60 fror wheels from Merlin. No need for new bars and stem unless they are really past it! Even then, no more than another 30.
  • jimh_123
    jimh_123 Posts: 66
    Cheers guys for getting back to me.

    Checked out that site you sugested (merlin) it rocks!

    Priced up the parts i need and you were right, comes in around £104.
    So gona go ahead and get them ordered.

    Was wondering about the wheels though, They have a pair for £59 on sale, the link is:
    http://www.merlincycles.co.uk/?fn=produ ... egoryId=99
    Pair Deore non disc hubs handbuilt with stainless double butted spokes.
    Mavic XM117 rims.

    Will my 7 spped gear cassette fit this ok?

    And yes Xtreem, my bike does have scratches on it. And a lot more! Few dents in the tube tube, couple of dents in the front fork. But every dent can tell a story and there some good stories!
  • Andy B
    Andy B Posts: 8,115
    You will need a spacer to run a 7spd cassette on a 8/9spd wheel, they're pretty cheap.
    2385861000_d125abe796_m.jpg
  • jimh_123
    jimh_123 Posts: 66
    heers Andy. Just checked out Merlin site again. Thay have them for £2.50, think this is what you mean.

    http://www.merlincycles.co.uk/?fn=produ ... goryId=123

    Although not too sure where it goes, but I'm sure my LBS guy will be able to fit it.

    Thanks for all the advice. My old bike's gona rock again!
  • batch78
    batch78 Posts: 1,320
    I'd consider buying new bars anyway from a safety point of view, 14 years is a long time to be pounding the same piece of metal :!:
  • xtreem
    xtreem Posts: 2,965
    jimh_123 wrote:
    But every dent can tell a story and there some good stories!
    .
    That would be the best part of the bike, despite the new shiny wheels. :)