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Looking to change from my 2018 Trek Fuel. Budget 3k max or do some upgrades maybe £1600-1800.
The fuel is pretty standard apart from X1 rear cassette and chain. Carbon bars, Guide RS brakes. Stock wheels and suspension. So there is upgrade options.
Just not sure what I would get the most benefit from.
Riding is Friston Forest (not really in to jumps and drops), Abbots wood and longer rides over the South Downs if you know any of them. So not looking for any long travel monster as do fair bit of hills and flats as well as light trails.
Maybe short travel 29er or a decent HT.
Although not sure how my ageing backside would like a HT after few years of squish. Like the look of the Sonder Signal Ti though.
I know stock levels are pretty poor but in no rush.
What makes you want to upgrade your current bike?
Bike is feeling a little tired think it’s the thoughts of a new bike after 3 years is appealing. Although new shiny parts might also have the same effect.
Get some light wheels and liven it up.
What fork and shock you got.
Was reminded when I went into a bike shop the other day that £3k is a budget budget. I laughted but on checking specs he got a point.
Nothing much changed since 2015, let alone 18.
New bearings, light wheels and you’re good.
Pedals and grips make a massive difference too - they are you main co tact points. Maybe some spacers and dial in your suspension.
Stock all round.
Fox Rhythm 34 And Float DPS RE:aktiv
I know some people have switched to a fox DPX 210x52.5 on the older fuels.
Also running 760 bars and 60mm stem so could go for a cockpit upgrade.
If I go down the upgrade route I will probably go for a full overhaul of the cables and brakes etc as overdue an oil change.
£3k buys a lot of bike. Although I wouldn’t spend it unless there was was something I really wanted.
How about a total revamp of the current bike? Send the suspension off to TF for a service and maybe an internal upgrade, stick some new wheels and tyres on there, and maybe upgrade few worn out bits of kit. It’ll be due a cable change anyway. You could do all of that and only spend a few hundred £, but it would come out looking like a new bike.
I’d be upgrading. Namely:
- Carbon wheels. On a light trail bike these will make a vast difference. Some lightbicycle something or others, dt350 hubs (or hope). Probs £650
- Suspension service, and a vorsprung fractive tune if your forks are fit4. £400
- If you’re feeling flash, GX AXS. £500
- General cable and bearing service. <£100 if diy
All in that will yield £5k+ bike performance, albeit with slightly dated geometry. Definitely a bike I’d covet though!
Yeah I second the upgrades. Looks like a nice bike anyway without upgrades.
Upgrade unless you can find something that you really want (and can actually get..) for £3k.
A decent suspension tune - or new Fork & Shock, lighter wheels, brakes 7 contact points.
Is it a carbon Fuel frame - if so for £3k you’re probably going to end up with something heavier.
An ideal replacement more xc ish but still trail capable is the Transition Spur - but for a decent spec I think that’s about £5k.
Your fork is possibly a weak spot for performance - it’s the heavier version of the 34 with the cheapest damper. A nice shiny silver Pike Ultimate RC2 would be a good upgrade. I’m not sure on the rear shock - the re:activ ones have an unusual arrangement with the damper shaft I believe.
I’d probably throw some money at lighter wheels too - it won’t make you materially faster but will make the feel of the bike more nimble / feel quicker. Carbon rims with decent hubs - or even something like DT XM421/481’s are fairly light and with some quick reacting hubs would be good.
If there’s still budget left perhaps a refresh of the drivetrain with wider range gears (if that would help on hills) or some carbon bars / longer dropper post etc.
Edit - think it might have Gx eagle already if I’ve found the right bike. Has it still got Bontrager tyres? Maybe something quicker rolling at the back / more aggressive at the front might change the feel too?