Mtn Bike question: 1996 Trek 850, upgrade or replace?

[BMdoobieW]

I have a 1996 Trek 850 mountain bike. It is pretty much stock, and as such, does not have a front suspension fork. I'm interested now in having a bike with a front suspension fork. My question is, are there any front suspension forks out there that are cheap but good enough to buy and install on my Trek 850, without it approaching the price of what a new, comparable bike would cost? Right now, I only go places you could consider "real mountain biking" maybe 4 times per year. But when I do go, I'd like to have a bike and a suspension to make it worthwhile. As far as my Trek 850 mechanically, it works pretty well. It just has a minor shifting problem that could probably be fixed by a decent mechanic. So should I spend between $350 and $500 for a new bike, with a suspension, and of course will all new and clean components, or add a suspension to my 7 year old bike? Thanks for any comments.

 

[Fausto]

I hate to tell you this, but you're pretty much boned AFAIK. Your bike probably has a 1" diameter steerer tube and 99% of the suspension forks on the market today have a 1 1/8" steerer tube. You may be able to dredge something up on Ebay, but it's going to be old technology.

I'd go for the new bike. Component/frame/fork technology has advanced so much since your bike was made that even cheaper components are vastly superior to top-of-the-line stuff from the min-90s.

Pic of a steerer tube in case you don't know what I'm talking about.

 

[BMdoobieW]

Thanks. So any suggestions for a new bike? Something by Trek, in the price range I listed, should be ok, right?

 

[Fausto]

Originally posted by: BMdoobieW
Thanks. So any suggestions for a new bike? Something by Trek, in the price range I listed, should be ok, right?

Yup. Stick with the bigger brands (Trek, Specialized, Giant, Fisher, Diamondback, etc) and you're good to go.

 

[Yossarian]

Nothing useful to add but I had that same Trek bike! I frickin loved it, I ended up donating it to goodwill before my last move because it was pretty beat and I didn't feel like transporting it to my new apt.

 

[Brutuskend]

There ARE 1 inch steer tub forks available, I saw one on Ebay two days ago and it was a newer fork. Having said that, I still wouldn't recommend putting a suspension fork on a bike that isn't made for one. It will throw off the geometry and the bike will NOT handle right. It will also raise the front end and you will loose some stand over clearance.

 

[Fausto]

Originally posted by: Brutuskend
There ARE 1 inch steer tub forks available, I saw one on Ebay two days ago and it was a newer fork. Having said that, I still wouldn't recommend putting a suspension fork on a bike that isn't made for one. It will throw off the geometry and the bike will NOT handle right. It will also raise the front end and you will loose some stand over clearance.

Yup. It will slow the steering down by effectively slackening the steerer tube angle. Not good unless you like hitting trees.

 

[tkdkid]

I'd recommend the Trek 4500, Specialized Rockhopper, or Giant Ranier. I think all those are in your price range. Most places recommend starting at about $600 if you're really going to get into it.

Also keep in mind the price of helmet, gloves, shorts, jersey or dri-fit/coolmax shirts, camelback (if you want one), sunglasses (for protection from bugs & branches), and if you go clipless (highly recommended), then you'll also need shoes and pedals. You may also want to replace the stock saddle with something like the specialized body geometry saddle.

helmet: 40
gloves: 15
shorts: 40
shirt: 30
camelback: 40
sunglasses: 100 (smith sliders)
pedals: 70
shoes: 70
saddle: 90
Total = 495.00

 

[astralnaut]

If you can buy a new bike, check out local bike swap events in your area. In the Colorado area we have an event called Veloswap in October. Going to one of these events and buying a newer used bike is a great way to upgrade. Also check out *plug* the Jenson HT 5.0 *end plug* on their website jensonusa.com.

 

[BMdoobieW]

Originally posted by: tkdkid
I'd recommend the Trek 4500, Specialized Rockhopper, or Giant Ranier. I think all those are in your price range. Most places recommend starting at about $600 if you're really going to get into it.

Thanks for the list.

 

[sygyzy]

Trek 8000!