A newbie wanting opinions

villan

This is my trusty Saracen Vice





I bought this some about four years ago from a LBS that was closing down, so I got a good deal in terms of price.......or so I thought at the time.

Frame: 7005 Alloy cross country full suspension with custom downtube & chainstays
Forks: SR Suntour M2000 50mm travel
Rear Derailleur: Shimano TX50 21spd
Shifters: Shimano RevoShift
Chainset: SR Alloy
Bottom Bracket: Cartridge
Stem: Ahead
Handlebars: Saracen Upswept
Front Brake: Alloy V
Rear Brake: Alloy V
Rims: Alloy
Front Hub: Alloy QR
Rear Hub: Alloy
Wheels: 26" x 2.35" ATB
Saddle: Saracen 2-tone ATB
Seatpost: Alloy micro adjust

I have upgraded the pedals :roll: Shimano M545

I know very little about bikes but reading some of the threads on here I don't think I've ended up with even an half decent bike.

I don't think I'm ever going to do any technical trails and most my riding will be either road (which I hate with a passion) and easy trails (canel towpaths etc).

Looking at some of the bikes talked about on the forum they look absolutely fantastic and this is where I have my dilemma. Do I trade this in or persevere? What do you really think of my trusty steed?

ThanksBye

Key thing will be how much u paid?

ilovedirt

it depends what you want. No offence, but you're right, your bike isn't great, but for canal towpaths and stuff it's adequate. obviously if you buy a more expensive bike, it will make the riding easier and more fun, i can imagine that bike is pretty heavy and can be a bugger to pedal around. Who knows, if you got something better, you might get further into the sport.

So do you want to spend the money or not? is basically the question. About £500 would get you a brand new, fully capable hardtail.

villan

Ah, ah......that, because of my crappy memory, I can't remember :oops:

The questions remain the same though

ThanksBye

Well in that case, does it do what you want it to do, and are you happy with it?

villan

I suppose it does do what I want it to. Its gets me from A to B. Gears are not as smooth as I'd like but I guess that could be resolved by having a service on it. I don't know it compares to weight with a better bike and I don't want to risk going and testing one at a shop.......that would probably make my mind up. My budget for anything new would be £400 - £500, the lower end preferably.

I like to buy things though that are future proofed should I decide to do more than I do at the moment. I bought a light weight two man tent a few years back just in case I went wild camping. Have I gone yet? No, just normal camp sites but its ready if need be .

Same goes for the bike I guess. I'm sure it won't handle harder use. Don't know whether I'd risk it on the Follow the Dog trail in Cannock.

supersonic

Decent frames - I had Saracen DTOX, and with new forks and shock is a good performer.

craker

a quick google shows prices in the £225 range which looks about what I expected
.
If you enjoy riding it great, it's a good bike. tbh not worth upgrading in my opinion. If you want to do trails then give it a go, your bike should take the punishment but you may be slower up the hills and envious of others on the faster downhills - ride within your ability.

villan

If I upgrade the components, which would be the first thing to look at?

Whytepeak

I would advise you to upgrade things that break, or parts that you don't initially get on with - e.g saddle or grips. - Though after 4 years I don't think that will be the case.

Buying a relatively cheap bike is pointless if you're going to spend another £200 upgrading it.

supersonic

I bought my Dtox for 300 quid new. I sold the MZ fork for 85 quid, the shock for 20 quid and the stock wheels for 85 quid. I bought a Tora for £82, Deore hubs on XM317 rims handbuilt for £70 and an RS BAR 2.1 air shock for £60.

Heavy, but fun bike for the tiny outlay.

Whytepeak

supersonic

Well obviously if you are that skilled, then fairflay - but don't go and spend hundreds of pounds.....

RealMan

Not worth upgrading.

If you enjoy riding it, and gets you from A to B, then its fine.

If youre thinking of getting into mountain biking more, and going for longer riders, and maybe even riding when its raining (god forbid), then look to buy a new hardtail.


Sounds like you might just be getting jealous of other bikes!


But then again, if you got the money, why not?

villan

Think it would be easier for me just to get another bike but I think I'm gonna stick with the Vice for now; at least until next year..........thats assuming I don't see a good deal for one for sale on the forum

villan

RealMan wrote:

Sounds like you might just be getting jealous of other bikes!

Extremely good point

supersonic

Whytepeak wrote:

supersonic

Well obviously if you are that skilled, then fairflay - but don't go and spend hundreds of pounds.....

Has to be done from new really to get that money back - I wouldn't do it on this bike, but if I had 150 quid to spend and thats it I'd put a RS Tora and an RS BAR on it.