New bike vs. new components

[ny biker]

Another thing to consider -- for your budget, you would wind up with an aluminum bike. You might be very happy with it, but as Indysteel indicated, there are more than a few folks here who do strongly prefer steel.

You can test ride a few new bikes in your price range to get a feel for differences in fit, components, and frame material, to help with your decision.

[indysteel]

Another thing to consider -- for your budget, you would wind up with an aluminum bike. You might be very happy with it, but as Indysteel indicated, there are more than a few folks here who do strongly prefer steel.

You can test ride a few new bikes in your price range to get a feel for differences in fit, components, and frame material, to help with your decision.

My response was largely based on the assumption that the OP would likely end up with an aluminum frame, which may or may not be a big improvement. But others have raised good points. If the Trek just fits so so, then fixing it up doesn't make a ton of sense.

Still, I'm a big fan a steel, especially for long rides!

[warneral]

500-900 wouldn't buy a very nice bike in my opinion. Steel rocks I upgraded from aluminum frame, carbon fork with low end parts to steel frame, carbon fork and high end parts and am living with the bike of my dreams Nicer wheels, better components will suit you well I think! I'd keep the frame as long as you are happy with fit.

[warneral]

ps you CAN adjust fit with the frame you have as long as you are in the right window. New stem, seat setback post, etc.

[jordanpattern]

Wow, thanks for all the info!

I do like my current frame. It seems to fit me well, and it's in good shape (though there are a couple tiny rust spots I need to take care of). I don't like the saddle and haven't found a way to adjust it so that it doesn't feel like I'm constantly sliding forward. I know that's easy enough to fix. I also need to get a new headset. I have upright handlebars right now, and I am going to get dropped ones, and switch out my shifters (and probably brakes) while I'm at it.

I have taken some moderately long rides, and the biggest problem is the saddle issue. It's possible something else will come up once that's fixed...

I talked to a guy at a local bike shop when I got it tuned up a couple months ago. He said it was a really nice frame and said it could make a nice road bike. The shop I went to specializes in vintage road bikes, so I think it would not only be a good fit, but they also have lots of parts on hand and seem to be pretty reasonably priced.

It sounds like maybe my plan of action should be to fix up the one I've got now for this season and save my pennies and buy something new next year...

[warneral]

so far my favorite saddle was only 40.00 - http://www.amazon.com/Planet-Bike-50...003823&sr=1-21

[LivetoRide]

Have you tried adusting the tilt of your saddle?

And what type of shifters are you wanting to put on your current bike? Bar-end shifters? Stem mounted shifters? Or STI? As STI shifters are generally the most expensive part of a groupset (think a couple of hundred dollars minimum for STI levers) but if you don't mind going with one of the other options, they can be had for much less.

[jordanpattern]

Have you tried adusting the tilt of your saddle?

And what type of shifters are you wanting to put on your current bike? Bar-end shifters? Stem mounted shifters? Or STI? As STI shifters are generally the most expensive part of a groupset (think a couple of hundred dollars minimum for STI levers) but if you don't mind going with one of the other options, they can be had for much less.

Yeah, I've adjusted the saddle all over the place, but it's just the large, cheap, vinyl-covered-foam thing it came with, and I think my bony butt just can't get a grip on it. I figured I would upgrade to something mid-range, hopefully with a bit of texture and not so slippery!

As far as shifters, I like the idea of STI ones, and if the rest of the work won't be too expensive, I might spring for them, but I can live with something less sophisticated as well.

Thanks again for all the advice. I'm going to take my bike into the shop and figure out what I'd like to do!