New bike or stick with the old?

Bot1

Hi all

I have a 2019 Vitus Escarpe 29" VR - love the bike.

I realise that some of the components on the bike could be considered entry level etc. but I don't feel the bike is holding me back in anyway at all for my level.

However I do understand the punishment that MTB bikes are put through and there is a train of thought that you should upgrade bike pretty often.


What are peoples opinons on this? Should I just ride the bike until it falls apart? How long is the lifetime of a bike like this? Does it depend on maintenance etc.?

I think I look after the bike pretty well - cleaning and lubing regularly, checking for chainwear, headset bearings.

The only thing I don't really check is fork and bottom bracket (I'm thinking of leaving to annual service).


Should I consider selling it now while it is in good nick and upgrading to something else? What extra would I get from a bike in the €2k-€3k bracket?

Cheers
Bot

PS. money is always a consideration for me.

Eamonnator

Yes, you do need a new bike.

covey123

Always

fat bloke

Not always .

The market is in a funny place right now. Demand is through the roof and supply is serious drought. Ok arguably it's a good time to sell your bike second hand, but you've a very weak hand trying to negotiate a deal with bike shops on your new bike. They're too busy selling entry level bikes hand over fist to a public clamouring for anything with pedals. Stock is down, choice is down, prices are firm, shipping is at a snail's pace and workshops are overrun with repairs and servicing.

So, in my opinion. By all means keep an eye out but until some normality returns to the market I'd be concentrating on riding what I have and enjoying the free time, the quieter roads and the good weather!

Tony04

If your asking about the most economical thing to do, I'd say most likely keep it depending on what parts are worn, if it's something like the rear shock replace it, most parts should be serviceable anyway. Although fs bikes to need to be replaced every few years once the rear shock starts to wear out. You might learn how to and buy the tools to perform a basic fork lower leg service, bleed the brakes etc. if you haven't. In the current nice weather though you shouldn't see bikes being absolutely destroyed.

If you have the money and feel like a new bike however by all means go far it.

Bot1

Tony04 wrote: »

If your asking about the most economical thing to do, I'd say most likely keep it depending on what parts are worn, if it's something like the rear shock replace it, most parts should be serviceable anyway. Although fs bikes to need to be replaced every few years once the rear shock starts to wear out. You might learn how to and buy the tools to perform a basic fork lower leg service, bleed the brakes etc. if you haven't. In the current nice weather though you shouldn't see bikes being absolutely destroyed.

If you have the money and feel like a new bike however by all means go far it.

I suppose you've nailed it there really. I think I am asking what the most economical thing to do is (as I'm happy with the bike).

I have the stuff for brake bleeds. I've replaced headset bearings.

Is a front fork service doable? How often should it be done?

Is rear shock service possible or is this a job for a bike shop? How often?

What else should be done regularly?

What are folks criteria for a new bike purchase?

beauf

Very hard to get bike at the moment and if you do it will be overpriced. Give it 3-6 months and we might see a flood of secondhand bikes.

beauf

Where did you get the Vitus from originally. Interested in some of their bikes myself.

Bot1

beauf wrote: »

Where did you get the Vitus from originally. Interested in some of their bikes myself.

I bought direct from Chain Reaction Cycles.

I'm very happy with the bike although I don't have anything to compare it to as it's my first full suss bike.

Tony04

Bot1 wrote: »

I suppose you've nailed it there really. I think I am asking what the most economical thing to do is (as I'm happy with the bike).

I have the stuff for brake bleeds. I've replaced headset bearings.

Is a front fork service doable? How often should it be done?

Is rear shock service possible or is this a job for a bike shop? How often?

What else should be done regularly?

What are folks criteria for a new bike purchase?

Get the service manual for your forks and shocks and service accordingly, gmbn have good videos on basic suspension services if you want to it yourself on youtube. Or if you dont have time etc bring it to the shop, but that's more expensive.

Dropper seatpost are something that you can service annually instead of replacing, I'd reccomend buying some slick grease like standec sram butter slickoleum etc which is need for suspension service and can be used for dropper service.

That's the most complex stuff really.

In your case if you were to sell your vitus youd realistically get about 1600-1700 for it so 1000 quid of your own cash towards a new bike that would probably be of similar spec.

With 1000 quid you could probably upgrade the stock wheelset to a much better wheelset which would offer better performance than new bike and get all the equipment needed to service the bike plus have a bit leftover.

I replace bikes when what needs to be upgraded is more expensive than buying a new bike. Or if I see something good on sale, so atm something like this Radon might be worth getting because of the bike your getting for the money.

Bot1

Tony04 wrote: »

Get the service manual for your forks and shocks and service accordingly, gmbn have good videos on basic suspension services if you want to it yourself on youtube. Or if you dont have time etc bring it to the shop, but that's more expensive.

Dropper seatpost are something that you can service annually instead of replacing, I'd reccomend buying some slick grease like standec sram butter slickoleum etc which is need for suspension service and can be used for dropper service.

That's the most complex stuff really.

In your case if you were to sell your vitus youd realistically get about 1600-1700 for it so 1000 quid of your own cash towards a new bike that would probably be of similar spec.

With 1000 quid you could probably upgrade the stock wheelset to a much better wheelset which would offer better performance than new bike and get all the equipment needed to service the bike plus have a bit leftover.

I replace bikes when what needs to be upgraded is more expensive than buying a new bike. Or if I see something good on sale, so atm something like this Radon might be worth getting because of the bike your getting for the money.

Cheers!
That's some good advice there!

boomdocker

Personally i'd always favour moving the bike on after a year or two when it;s still worth something
There's a very fine balancing point where you can still get a decent price for a bike like yours, or hanging on, replacing bits and pieces and before you know it you've had it 4-5 yrs and it's worth f*** all, or worse still you're stuck with it

However, if as you say money is a consideration, that's different. I have one of those Escarpes (VRX) and they are a cracker of a bike!