Keep Upgrading or Start Saving?

[AlanD]

The best advice I can offer you is this.

Breastfeeding...for as long as possible.

Finally, someone listening to what im asking..:-)

[popcorn_skollie]

Finally, someone listening to what im asking..:-)

 

Off the top of my head I estimate having spent about 30k on isomil alone between my 2 kids over 3 years. Probably more. 

At R200.00 a can which lasts about 5 days if they feeding on it exclusively. You can do the math.

 

From a bike perspective?

 

I have 3 x 26ers. Despite them being old bikes. They are still expensive to maintain.

I also have to be a little more resourceful when it comes to parts. Especially tyres.

But I love them all dearly and continue to soldier on.

 

Its a little exhausting to be honest. I often buy things I don't really need at the time simply because its a good deal and more importantly I can predict how hard something like that will be to come by when I do actually need it. 

 

or

 

you end up with those plan B purchases which costs you money you were reluctant to spend in the first place because its not exactly what you wanted. But buy anyways because of urgency and serious lack of alternatives.

 

People who have moved on to 650b don't have these hurdles.

They don't need to know a guy or be nifty and resourceful. The world is their oyster. Options are endless and life is easy. Its just plain unfair if you ask me.

 

I've been on the fence about a new trail bike for the last few months actually.

Perhaps I've already decided that I wanted a new one and have been saving towards it without admitting it to myself. But the bikes in my budget are in serious short supply. I either have to buy a trance now and upgrade it slowly... or... save for another year before bikes like a banshee spitfire becomes an option.

 

Here's whats holding me back though.

 

http://i.imgur.com/i6JiI95.jpg

 

If I look at my bike and compare it to a stock trance I can't help but wonder if the competitively priced trance is worth spending money on considering what I already have. Am I upgrading or giving in to wheel size pressure? Maybe I'm not giving the parts enough credit but I have my reservations about its tinfoil wheels and noodly fork. The nobby nics will have to go too. Not to mention cockpit and drivetrain changes.

 

http://d2k6j1fqfkfmqi.cloudfront.net/_generated/_generated_au/bikes/models/images/800/2015/Trance-27-5-3-Light-silver.jpg

 

mmhhh. I'm not helping am I

[AlanD]

Off the top of my head I estimate having spent about 30k on isomil alone between my 2 kids over 3 years. Probably more.

At R200.00 a can which lasts about 5 days if they feeding on it exclusively. You can do the math.

 

From a bike perspective?

 

I have 3 x 26ers. Despite them being old bikes. They are still expensive to maintain.

I also have to be a little more resourceful when it comes to parts. Especially tyres.

But I love them all dearly and continue to soldier on.

 

Its a little exhausting to be honest. I often buy things I don't really need at the time simply because its a good deal and more importantly I can predict how hard something like that will be to come by when I do actually need it.

 

or

 

you end up with those plan B purchases which costs you money you were reluctant to spend in the first place because its not exactly what you wanted. But buy anyways because of urgency and serious lack of alternatives.

 

People who have moved on to 650b don't have these hurdles.

They don't need to know a guy or be nifty and resourceful. The world is their oyster. Options are endless and life is easy. Its just plain unfair if you ask me.

 

I've been on the fence about a new trail bike for the last few months actually.

Perhaps I've already decided that I wanted a new one and have been saving towards it without admitting it to myself. But the bikes in my budget are in serious short supply. I either have to buy a trance now and upgrade it slowly... or... save for another year before bikes like a banshee spitfire becomes an option.

 

Here's whats holding me back though.

 

http://i.imgur.com/i6JiI95.jpg

 

If I look at my bike and compare it to a stock trance I can't help but wonder if the competitively priced trance is worth spending money on considering what I already have. Am I upgrading or giving in to wheel size pressure? Maybe I'm not giving the parts enough credit but I have my reservations about its tinfoil wheels and noodly fork. The nobby nics will have to go too. Not to mention cockpit and drivetrain changes.

 

http://d2k6j1fqfkfmqi.cloudfront.net/_generated/_generated_au/bikes/models/images/800/2015/Trance-27-5-3-Light-silver.jpg

 

mmhhh. I'm not helping am I

Wife breasfed for as long as she could on the first one but when back at work it becomes painfull so moved formula...kachi g...no more spare money...i know all about it.

 

You know my dilema all too well. Love my only one bike, 26er and love buying parts and upgrading, sometimes buying what i dont actually need.

 

Only reason why i am asking is because of scarcity of parts locally and afraid i am going to overspend in relation to a scarce type of bike. I could save and order a RS fork from chain reaction but am i just fueling a dying fire? There were like 4 options of forks with 140mm travel and straight steerer.

 

You right, you need to dig far to get what you want if you can find it and know l people who can assist.

 

The world of 650b seems so much simpler but you so right about the stock standard stuff that you going to spend a fortune upgrading.

 

I thinking that saving for a lekker frame, like a Pyga Pascoe, then building her up when funds are available to what you want...but...that m8ght take 5 years plus for me duento cash and not sure if patience will allow.

 

Its a tought one..Really is...

Btw...stunning bike..and no, you not helping

[madbradd]

I was thinking that but wasn't sure if a 650b fork will work for 26er wheels and headset.

 

I googled headset adapters and couldn't seem to find anything that converts straight to taper but think there is an adapter to go the other way.

If your frame is a straight steerer frame with integrated headset you get a "cup" for the lower bearing.

 

https://images.search.yahoo.com/images/view;_ylt=AwrTcX9TpHRWJjcAIPyInIlQ;_ylu=X3oDMTIyN2E1NWlkBHNlYwNzcgRzbGsDaW1nBG9pZANiN2YwYzM3MGQzODBkZmMxMDAzZTk2MmQ0MGY3NTVlNwRncG9zAzEEaXQDYmluZw--?.origin=&back=https%3A%2F%2Fimages.search.yahoo.com%2Fsearch%2Fimages%3Fp%3Dtapered%2Bsteerer%2Bin%2Bstraight%2Bframe%26n%3D60%26ei%3DUTF-8%26fr%3Dyfp-hrmob-900%26fr2%3Dsb-top-images.search.yahoo.com%26tab%3Dorganic%26ri%3D1&w=648&h=399&imgurl=fcdn.mtbr.com%2Fattachments%2Fall-mountain%2F870382d1392661098-what-tapered-steerer-fork-straight-steerer-fork-need-help-changing-fork-xx_44mm_traditional_profile-648x399.jpg&rurl=http%3A%2F%2Fforums.mtbr.com%2Fall-mountain%2Fwhat-tapered-steerer-fork-straight-steerer-fork-need-help-changing-fork-899686.html&size=19.6KB&name=What+is+a+%3Cb%3ETapered%3C%2Fb%3E+%3Cb%3ESteerer%3C%2Fb%3E+Fork&p=tapered+steerer+in+straight+frame&oid=b7f0c370d380dfc1003e962d40f755e7&fr2=sb-top-images.search.yahoo.com&fr=yfp-hrmob-900&tt=What+is+a+%3Cb%3ETapered%3C%2Fb%3E+%3Cb%3ESteerer%3C%2Fb%3E+Fork&b=0&ni=54&no=1&ts=&tab=organic&sigr=13n73jdm4&sigb=15407gqe1&sigi=158ufk23s&sigt=11cfdfbf4&sign=11cfdfbf4&.crumb=6UIxjnWZslW&fr=yfp-hrmob-900&fr2=sb-top-images.search.yahoo.com

 

Wow that's a serious URL. Glad I'm not reading it out over the phone.

[AlanD]

If your frame is a straight steerer frame with integrated headset you get a "cup" for the lower bearing.

 

https://images.search.yahoo.com/images/view;_ylt=AwrTcX9TpHRWJjcAIPyInIlQ;_ylu=X3oDMTIyN2E1NWlkBHNlYwNzcgRzbGsDaW1nBG9pZANiN2YwYzM3MGQzODBkZmMxMDAzZTk2MmQ0MGY3NTVlNwRncG9zAzEEaXQDYmluZw--?.origin=&back=https%3A%2F%2Fimages.search.yahoo.com%2Fsearch%2Fimages%3Fp%3Dtapered%2Bsteerer%2Bin%2Bstraight%2Bframe%26n%3D60%26ei%3DUTF-8%26fr%3Dyfp-hrmob-900%26fr2%3Dsb-top-images.search.yahoo.com%26tab%3Dorganic%26ri%3D1&w=648&h=399&imgurl=fcdn.mtbr.com%2Fattachments%2Fall-mountain%2F870382d1392661098-what-tapered-steerer-fork-straight-steerer-fork-need-help-changing-fork-xx_44mm_traditional_profile-648x399.jpg&rurl=http%3A%2F%2Fforums.mtbr.com%2Fall-mountain%2Fwhat-tapered-steerer-fork-straight-steerer-fork-need-help-changing-fork-899686.html&size=19.6KB&name=What+is+a+%3Cb%3ETapered%3C%2Fb%3E+%3Cb%3ESteerer%3C%2Fb%3E+Fork&p=tapered+steerer+in+straight+frame&oid=b7f0c370d380dfc1003e962d40f755e7&fr2=sb-top-images.search.yahoo.com&fr=yfp-hrmob-900&tt=What+is+a+%3Cb%3ETapered%3C%2Fb%3E+%3Cb%3ESteerer%3C%2Fb%3E+Fork&b=0&ni=54&no=1&ts=&tab=organic&sigr=13n73jdm4&sigb=15407gqe1&sigi=158ufk23s&sigt=11cfdfbf4&sign=11cfdfbf4&.crumb=6UIxjnWZslW&fr=yfp-hrmob-900&fr2=sb-top-images.search.yahoo.com

 

Wow that's a serious URL. Glad I'm not reading it out over the phone.

I dont think its integrated: i have taken it out once and the bearings sit in a cup instead of inside the frame.

[Amberdrake]

If you can fit a tapered Fork it might be worth while getting a 650b Fork instead. The difference is minimal between the 26er and 650b Fork and you will be one large hurdle towards a 650b bicycle.

[AlanD]

If you can fit a tapered Fork it might be worth while getting a 650b Fork instead. The difference is minimal between the 26er and 650b Fork and you will be one large hurdle towards a 650b bicycle.

This what has been suggested and what ibwas thinking but it seems my frame will not accomodate a tapered fork.

 

Everything is so difficult when you have a 26er these days which is such a pity.

 

why can't all three wheel sizes be well accommodated for? Will the 26er eventually be trophies mounted on the wall?

 

26ers and all their parts are like Rhinos these days, endangered on the verge of extinction.

[Beefy]

I have a few 26" bikes and have more spare tyres at home than most bike shops. I buy them when I can and hang on to them.

 

I also have a 29" bike but if you love riding bikes then it doesn't matter. The beat wheel size is the one you have.

 

I would just look after the stanchions on the fork. Straight steerer forks and stanchions are tough to find.

[DJR]

I would not recommend just changing for the sake of bigger wheels and convenience of parts availability. Only buy 650B if the new bike frame and geometry is a REAL improvement of the 26er Merida that you have. Otherwise you will not really feel a big difference from just the bigger wheels. (I have both a 26er and a 650B Trance) Don't stress about 26er parts. You can find anything you need from places like CRC, it just takes longer than getting it from the shop down the road. Many retro bike crazies ride and maintain bikes built decades ago for which parts have been out of production for many years. As for upgrading, it sounds like your Merida is pretty well endowed. I would only maintain and replace things that break, but save the "upgrade money" for when it is tired and worn out and you have to replace it. Then buy 650B. Meanwhile, check out the "Riding with kids" thread, you'll soon enough be there! Enjoy!

[ZakAttak]

So my stem, handle bar, seat post, saddle, brakes, crank, cassette...blah blah blah won't work on a 29er

I meant fork and wheels man, 2 of the expensive bits on any bike... lol...

[AlanD]

I would not recommend just changing for the sake of bigger wheels and convenience of parts availability. Only buy 650B if the new bike frame and geometry is a REAL improvement of the 26er Merida that you have. Otherwise you will not really feel a big difference from just the bigger wheels. (I have both a 26er and a 650B Trance) Don't stress about 26er parts. You can find anything you need from places like CRC, it just takes longer than getting it from the shop down the road. Many retro bike crazies ride and maintain bikes built decades ago for which parts have been out of production for many years. As for upgrading, it sounds like your Merida is pretty well endowed. I would only maintain and replace things that break, but save the "upgrade money" for when it is tired and worn out and you have to replace it. Then buy 650B. Meanwhile, check out the "Riding with kids" thread, you'll soon enough be there! Enjoy!

You've made some really good points. Love my merida and just going to maintain her now and in the meantime start saving for something more modern much later on, maybe look at doing a build or something.

 

Its also the fact that buying mtb parts is a real addiction as they are so pretty:)