Frames and associated query

lancj1

Hi, great forum and spent a long time lurking.
I am a middle aged cyclist - have always had a bike, from the old chopper, through racers in the 80s and since the mid 90's mountain bike. I have always been an occasional user though, its never been my passion, and still isnt to be honest, but I love it when I do it. Anyway..

Two years ago I replaced my steel raliegh MB with a Giant Boulder - believe me a significant upgrade. The boulder, whilst clearly way down the scale, has served me well for what I need - very lightweight XC stuff on a weekend with the son, down the shops, an hour out on my own etc. I have now splashed out on a GT Avalanche 1.0 2010 model on the bike scheme - another big upgrade for me (its amazing how works folk say 700 quid on a bike, whilst you lot say, hmm, if you really can only manage 700...)

Anyway, to the point. Frame materials. I hear many people talking about frames/worth upgrading etc, and got the impression from folks I spoke too that my boulder wasnt worth upgrading because of the frame. I have no regrets, but whats the difference beteen the alloys used, and had I spent 700 upgrading my boulder, would I have got a "better" bike than my avalanche. Sorry for rambling, and thanks for any info

nicklouse

for the materials have a look in the FAQs.

re upgrading the Boulder for 700, not really.

-liam-

You can upgrade it. I don't believe that a frame on a £600 bike is any better or worse than a £1200 quid bike,comparing like for like. The extra value comes from the other components such as forks, drivetrain, wheels and all the finishing kit like stems, bars and seatposts.

lancj1

nicklouse wrote:

for the materials have a look in the FAQs.

I did, but didnt recognise the topic title (6000/7000) but spotted it now
Ta

Northwind

Some bikes aren't worth upgrading because the money's better spent on a whole new bike, but it's nothing to do with materials, just down to cost efficiency. People get too hung up on materials IMO, it's only a small part of the total picture.