Proper beginner question

ninhydrin
ninhydrin Posts: 18
edited October 2008 in MTB buying advice
Hi all new here and maybe a bit of a noob question going by other threads on here but here goes,,,

I have a Giant Boulder which I bought a few years ago and Im really happy with it, but Iv caught a bit of a bug and I want to "pimp up my ride" shall we say... now my main question is am I wasting my time on this bike as it was not expensive but it is light enough and sturdy enough for what I want but I want some really nice parts to go on it.

Hope Im making sense here, in short is it save my money for a better bike or do this one up?
If I do pimp it up which parts would you recommend first?

Cheers for any help in this matter

Comments

  • supersonic
    supersonic Posts: 82,708
    Depends what you want to do and what budget. WHat is wrong with it?
  • nothing wrong with it, just want to start a new hobbie and thought doing up the bike might be it, and obviously using it like.
    Bought a mag and some of the new bits and peices actually look kinda smart compared whats on my bike. All sounds a bit vain dont it?!?!
  • supersonic
    supersonic Posts: 82,708
    Lol. You could put new stuff on it, but it works out very expensive compared to a new bike with that stuff on.

    Obvious changes would be lighter tyres, and maybe a better fork.
  • Tranced
    Tranced Posts: 165
    I have a Giant Rock. Great to get your interest up, but move to something better..... once you're wanting to step up. Next off I found a Kona Caldera. Still play around on that plenty. In fact todays ride was 15M hard single track & she's ideal for it. I doprobably 2 x 30M rides per week on the Rock still because it's so heavy compared to my play bikes that it makes an ideal training tool. Come weekend & even my FS feels light.

    Keep the Bolder... not worth getting rid of at the resell value & look for a nice light HT. Great step up.
    Embrace cynicism…. see the bigger picture!!!!
  • Northwind
    Northwind Posts: 14,675
    Don't worry, you're not alone! But you're right, pimping a cheap bike can leave you spending a lot of cash for less gain than you would get just dropping the cash on a better bike. Same with all sorts, cars, motorbikes, guitars, houses... I'm a repeat offender. The trick IMO is to try and make sure your mods are either re-sellable, or transferrable, so that if you get a better bike in a year's time you can either ebay the bling or fit it to the new one.

    Also, never ask "What can I change", ask "What's wrong with it". The first route leads to the dark side.
    Uncompromising extremist
  • Really really great replies Im impressed, well the boulder is standard but was hoping to spend about £500 on it, but your probably right in saying get a new bike, could prob get a GT or something for that?!
  • As Northwind says, go with tranferable upgrades. Contact points are good, pedals grips, and saddle. Also as already mentioned tyres and tubes, maybe even wheels, but even if your Boulder is Vs still buy wheels with 6 bolt disc hubs, this also gives the option to move to discs as another upgrade.

    edit - late to the party again :oops:
    Northwind wrote: It's like I covered it in superglue and rode it through ebay.
  • Sorry bout this but whats the difference between standard pedals and clipless?
  • Northwind
    Northwind Posts: 14,675
    Standard are basically just flat traditional pedals, clipless ironically enough have clips, which attach to cleats on suitable shoes, locking you onto the bike. With hilarious consequences :wink:
    Uncompromising extremist
  • Tranced
    Tranced Posts: 165
    Have a peak at what is available at around £500. You'll waste that loot putting add on's onto the Boulder.

    GT Avalanche 1.0 Disc 2009 £550
    Felt Q720 2008 £440
    Kona Caldera 2008 £600

    To name but a few.... totally different geometry. You won't look back.
    Embrace cynicism…. see the bigger picture!!!!
  • hmmm might stick to standards then!!!