Upgrade or trade in?

[casisenyora]

Eight months ago on a tight budget I bought my first road bike, a WSD Trek 1000. Now that I've gotten some experience and put in about 80 miles a week, nicer bikes are very tempting. Shop mechanics tell me to just trade in my bike while it still has most of its value, but I wonder if that is really the best way to go.

Given that I have the tools and desire to learn bike maintenance (not to mention I'm very frugal), would it make sense to upgrade the components myself? Or is that gettting in too deep on a frame that's not worth it?

[Dianyla]

I say keep this current bike as a commuter/winter bike... once you get a new fancy precious bike you won't want to ride her in the mud and grit. :D

[mimitabby]

when i've had the opportunity to trade a bike in, i didn't like the price they were offering me. I planned to sell my bike on Ebay, but it's still in the basement on the trainer. Hmmm, looks like i'm going to have to make that same kind of decision again!

[roguedog]

so.. uh.. mimi. what bike's sitting in your basement? anything i might be interested in?

[ribbit_zap]

I don't really know much about the subject, but I agree with Dianyla and think you should hold onto it for future use. I am sure you can always find good use for two bikes somewhere down the line :D . You could always make this the bike that stays on the trainer or something (if you use one). I would think it would be more valuable to keep it. Plus, it is your baby! :)

[koala]

If you're still on a tight budget, trade in. You will never be able to get the pricing on individual componentry to make the upgrades worthwhile. You will get a better frame, and more bike for your money, by trading in. The manufacturers get the best prices on components because they buy in bulk.

If you can afford to keep your old bike as a 2nd bike & buy a new, better bike, more gooder. But you will decide your finances.

[Mimosa]

If you really get a good price then you could do a trade in. But then you would miss out on the fun (or stress?) building your bike by yourself.

I wouldn't try to upgrade the bike, the old parts are hard to sell (for a good price).

Why not keep your current bike, go hunting for a good new frame and buy new parts each month to build a complete bike by yourself. And then use the 'old' bike during the winterseason.

[KSH]

I have a 2004 Trek 1000, and I have had the same "discussion" in my head.

Honestly, if you upgrade the bike's components so it's similar to a higher quality bike... you will be spending about as much as you would pay for a new bike.

On the Trek 1000 you will want to upgrade:
The wheels.
The shifters.
The derailer.
Pretty much all of the components on the back!
Maybe the fork- upgrade the carbon.

Go get a new bike.

The Trek 1000 is a Buick. A solid bike, that's great for a starter bike... but it's always going to be a Buick.

Honestly, you can probably sell it yourself, for almost close to the retail price. I bet you get more if you don't sell it back to the shop. My bike is beat up and old, and I can sell it for $300 (I found a buyer), and I paid $600 for it 2 years ago.

My *dream* is a Specialized Tarmac Elite. At $2,200 (on sale!) it's way out of my price range right now. So, the Trek 1000 stays around. My second bike will be a bike that I LOVE.

Otherwise, I have a new tri bike that I've only ridden around 100 miles. It's a sweet ride, and I will probably be on it most of this year.

Unfortunately, riding a tri bike takes me out of groups rides. Thus, I need a spiffy new road bike!

Good luck with your decision! But I say, go buy what you LOVE the 2nd time around... if you can afford it.

[DebW]

Eight months ago on a tight budget I bought my first road bike... Shop mechanics tell me to just trade in my bike while it still has most of its value, but I wonder if that is really the best way to go.

Given that I have the tools and desire to learn bike maintenance (not to mention I'm very frugal), would it make sense to upgrade the components myself? Or is that gettting in too deep on a frame that's not worth it?



Why not keep your current bike, go hunting for a good new frame and buy new parts each month to build a complete bike by yourself. And then use the 'old' bike during the winterseason.

If you are going to buy a new frame and new components and you are satisfied with a stock bike, it would probably be cheaper to buy a whole new bike than getting everything separately. But if you are really frugal and want to learn bike mechanics, there are lots of possibilities. Like buying a used vintage steel frame and building it up with new or used parts. You'd need to know what you're buying and be able to fit yourself properly. But it would be frugal and fun.

[mimitabby]

so.. uh.. mimi. what bike's sitting in your basement? anything i might be interested in?

no, i don't think so, it's a Raleigh Cross bike. It's got great gears and
fits nice, but it doesn't go as fast as my bianchi. It's going to be a great bike for someone!
(if i ever get it out of the basement!) but I am using it now on the trainer, so no big rush.

[RoadRaven]

Keep the old bike as a trainer...

Buy a new bike

[Batbike]

I have upgraded a Trek 1000 and, like any upgrade, adds a lot to the quality and fun of the bike ride. However, I would not have upgraded it UNLESS I already had the parts and was able to put them on the bike. The upgrades were all quality, used parts from another bike that I took apart when I started buying new old frames and new bike parts. And YES, I got the "itch" to learn to do bike mechanics and build a frame, so I bought an Italian steel frame off of ebay, along with new and used bike parts, and started building. I would not have been able to do it alone, but was able to do it with the help of friends who loved to build bikes and share their knowledge with me. A year and a half later, I upgraded my ebay frame, buying another frame and transferring my good quality parts from my Italian steel frame -- again, doing this with the help of friends. Then I looked around and realized I had enough "spare parts" to build another bike (many from the original Trek 1000), and, you got it, with the help of friends, built another entry-level bike that I sold to someone interested in trying cycling. It felt good to build something for someone. No, I did not make any money on the deal, unless you call earning money on parts just sitting around. Personally, I don't feel used entry-level bikes and bike parts are worth much on resale, but are great to pass along to another entry-level rider!!

So, in a nutshell, I feel that unless you have "extra parts" or someone willing to give or sell cheap good bike parts to you, the Trek 1000 may not be worth upgrading. To save money, maybe a good quality used bike would be worth the upgrade? OR, if possible, find someone who will work with you to build a bike on the frame of your choice. Personally, I found it good to buy a good "trial" frame to build first, putting more money into components than frame, as I began to wrench. Then, once I learned a few things and rode awhile, I was able to watch others, ask questions, and investigate more bike parts and frames, so that when I felt comfortable and more knowledgeable, I was able to find a "dream frame" and transfer the parts worthy of transferring and changing what needed to be changed. It is a lot of fun, very educational as I have learned more and more on every bike I have built, and worth doing -- but YES, buying a whole bike at once is always cheaper! :)

[Geonz]

If in 8 months you're at 80 miles a week, you are already an addict. You think it'll stop here??? And you only have one bike??? What if it gets sick???

Save the pesos while you ride and consider *exactly* what you want in your next bike. (What's going to happen eight months after you get it??

Here's an idea: buy your new bike, then find somebody who needs to upgrade to yours and either sell it or trade it for something a little less nice for jus' ridin' around (or riding with slower groups when you want to work a little) or to put an Xtracycle on or something :))

[casisenyora]

Thanks ladies! So many options...