Upgrade or Not

[Morty1884]

Hi I've just started out few weeks back to try get back in shape and really enjoying it and plan on sticking with riding.

So I've got old full suspension silverfox what's been sat in shed for 5-7 years pulled it out give quick check and done about 6 rides on it 40 mile ish. Today was first time I've had mate come out riding with me and he said my bike could be holding me back.

It's a heavy bike plus when I was riding downhill I was peddling fair bit and my mate didn't Hardly peddle and he still went pass me. I've notice when I try spin wheels freely they only turn about half a turn and stop.

So is it worth spending money getting service done to it or would I get any benifet from buy £200-300 new alloy one.

 

[steve50]

It sounds like you need a new bike, your wheels on your current bike do half a turn and stop, that sounds like they are buckled. You also state the bike is a big old heavy thing so that is also going to hold you back. Modern bikes are very light, even hardtails (front suspension only) can be very light, have a look at your local bike repair shop, they might have a something nice in the second hand range for a couple of hundred quid, £200- 300 is not going to get you a quality new bike so maybe 2nd hand is the way to go.

 

[bozmandb9]

Upgrade for sure, you'll enjoy it much more, and much more likely to stick at it. Decathlon may have something you like, or you could pick up a secondhand bike which would be reasonable, maybe a Specialised Allez or something. Are you thinking of Road or Mountain bike?

 

[bonsaibilly]

£200- 300 is not going to get you a quality new bike so maybe 2nd hand is the way to go.

It's perfectly possible to get a quality new bike for that budget.

BB

 

[KneesUp]

It depends.

Silverfox were/are a budget brand, so I suspect the biek you're riding weas never 'state of the art' and, if it is full suspension it will be heavy and you will be using as lot of energy bouncing up and down rather than going forward, especially on the road. On the other hand, if your aim is to get a really good workout whilst having some fun and saving some cash, it is ideal. Persaonally I'm not a fan of full suspension bikes, but it's all opinion and what you're using it for that matters. Ride this one until you decide if you want a pure road bike, a pure off-road bike, or a versatile 'cross' or hybrid bike.

The lack of wheel rotation is either a buckle or - more likely as I assume you'd notice if the wheel was buckled and being stopped by the brakes - the bearings are knackered. If it's not turned a wheel in 7 years I would imagine at the very least you need to get take the cones out and grease everything, but I'd probably replace the ball bearings - cheap enough at your local bike shop (LBS) for the parts, and not too pricey to get them to do it if you haven't the tools/time/inclination to learn how.

If the hubs are gone, you could get new wheels for this bike and then if you stick at it and still enjoy it, look out for a decent frame or complete bike on eBay and use your new wheels on that - for £200 I'd be looking for a second hand bike.

 

[bonsaibilly]

On the other hand, for £300 (as stated in OP), I'd also be considering a new bike as there are perfectly good rideable bikes at that price as long as you're not on the merrygoround.

BB

 

[KneesUp]

On the other hand, for £300 (as stated in OP), I'd also be considering a new bike as there are perfectly good rideable bikes at that price as long as you're not on the merrygoround.

BB

To be fair it says £200 to £300. I'd go secondhand at £300 too - bikes depriciate fast, and lots of people buy them , don't use them and then sell them. I'd rather someone else paid the depreciation The only new bike I've ever had was for my 11th birthday.

 

[Felix79]

I think you would do better to get yourself a quality bike 2nd hand (so basically a good frame) and over time upgrade the lesser parts on the bike. This is what I ended up doing with my Cannondale CAAD8 which only set me back £350, which shows there are plenty of deal to be snapped up on eBay.

 

[Morty1884]

Thanks for all replys guys. I think I will look at another bike.

 

[mjr]

If it's not turned a wheel in 7 years I would imagine at the very least you need to get take the cones out and grease everything, but I'd probably replace the ball bearings - cheap enough at your local bike shop (LBS) for the parts, and not too pricey to get them to do it if you haven't the tools/time/inclination to learn how.

This. I'd replace the bearings first, see how much it improves things and then decide... but unless you're doing much dirt-track pootling, a heavy full-suspension MTB probably isn't the right bike.

 

[cyberknight]

I think a new £300 bike is bound to be a lot better than the old bike and you will have peace of mind about the bike as its new and can take it back if there are any problems.
Second hand will get you more for your money but if your not bike savvy yet you end up with something that might cost the same again in new parts.

 

[AndyRM]

Your welcome post has you in the North East @Morty1884, assuming that means England there are a few of us in these parts who could point you in the right direction or may have a bike they're looking to move on to a new owner.

 

[Morty1884]

Yeah mate I'm from northeast uk I live in Peterlee well about 1 away.

 

[AndyRM]

Yeah mate I'm from northeast uk I live in Peterlee well about 1 away.

I was about to recommend Strawberry Cycles, but I think they closed down just a couple of weeks ago. Might be worth calling them to see if I'm wrong.

A little bit further up the road is Darke Cycles in Sunderland which is a well regarded shop.

 

[Cycleops]

I'm sure you could get a great secondhand bike for that budget. Have look on here, there are quite a few bikes for sale, @biggs682 always has some good machines, he's in the midlands though.