All,
Bought a Trek 8500 XC bike about 10 years ago as sort of an "impulse buy" when I first got in to riding.
Have been off the trail for some time but am trying to get back in now. Boy have bikes changed since I hung it up.
Seems like FS or hardtails with long travel are the popular bikes nowadays. There's even 29ers and single speeds.
I've got a lot invested in the 8500; problem is, it's an XC race bike. I do not XC race here in NJ. I'm more about general purpose all-around riding. I frequent Chimney Rock, 6 mile, Round Valley, and Rutgers. This bike just doesn't seem up to the task.
Can you recommend some upgrades that make this more worthy for NJ riding? Not sure what we call it around here, "all mountain"?
What types of components would be more suitable for NJ riding than typically come on a XC race machine?
Would I be killing the lightweight, race intent of this bike if I chose to upgrade in this fashion?
Thanks.
Bought a Trek 8500 XC bike about 10 years ago as sort of an "impulse buy" when I first got in to riding.
Have been off the trail for some time but am trying to get back in now. Boy have bikes changed since I hung it up.
Seems like FS or hardtails with long travel are the popular bikes nowadays. There's even 29ers and single speeds.
I've got a lot invested in the 8500; problem is, it's an XC race bike. I do not XC race here in NJ. I'm more about general purpose all-around riding. I frequent Chimney Rock, 6 mile, Round Valley, and Rutgers. This bike just doesn't seem up to the task.
Can you recommend some upgrades that make this more worthy for NJ riding? Not sure what we call it around here, "all mountain"?
What types of components would be more suitable for NJ riding than typically come on a XC race machine?
Would I be killing the lightweight, race intent of this bike if I chose to upgrade in this fashion?
Thanks.
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