Looking To Upgrade My Mountain Bike – Your Suggestions Would Be Helpful?

Relatively new to cycling. I am 5'11- 205 lbs. 41 yrs old pretty good shape. I enjoy mountain bikes even though I almost ride daily on the road (like the option of blazing down trails and/or weekend dirt). I ride primarily because treadmills suck. When in dirt... I ride pretty hard.
I feel my frame is way to small and would like suggestions on frames and where to find them and should I transfer my components to a new frame. Or should I just get a new bike?
Here is what I got...
Novara Bonanza 15” Hard Tail frame (6061)(REI Brand?)
Manitou /Trace Comp 80 front suspension
Shimano Alivio 24 speed shifter
Haynes MX2 disc brakes
Tru-Vativ 25.4 bars (6061)
Tru-vativ front stem
WTB SX24 Aluminum Alloy Rims
WTB Tires 26 x 49/54
Shimano Deore Drive Train
Shimano Cranks
Wellgo Pedals
Toupe 130 hallow ti gel cycling seat
Titech –El Norte seat post
Cat Eye Lights
I dont know how the above list ranks up - what would you do to improve.
Thanks for your help

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5 Comments »

Tech Guy said:

At 5’11″ I would say a 15″ frame is way too small. You will need something around 18″-19″
If you’re looking just to upgrade your frame try Craigslist or eBay. I would recommend this only if you are handy around a bike and know how to take apart and assemble one from scratch. You will also have to know if the threading on your bottom bracket for your cranks are compatible with your new frame not to mention the diameter of your head tube will fit your headset and fork.
Buying a brand new bike or even a used bike might be your best option. Again Craigslist is my favorite place to shop for bikes because it’s local and you can drive up and test ride the bike before you decide to buy it. Just do your homework.
As for components and parts. My opinion is the technology behind bikes hasn’t really changed in 100 years. The only major difference is the materials we’re using to make them. And the only major difference between a really expensive part and a much cheaper part is a few grams of weight. If you’re going to use your bike to get a work out, the extra weight might help take a few more pounds off. I would say unless you’re racing don’t worry about it. Get whatever fits your budget.

# 16 February 2010 at 12:32 pm

Bob A said:

I would do something, that bike is about 4 inches too small, must be a pain to ride. If you can swing it I would get a new bike, even the low end ones will fell like a dream compared to what you are riding now. You can switch some of the components pedals, seat ,light, over if you like or swap them then sell the old one.

# 16 February 2010 at 2:29 pm

Mitch P said:

at nearly 6 foot tall you need an 18″ to 20″ frame.
your components are probably starting to ware.
probably for that reason it’s not worth upgrading.
if you ride it hard off road,may be start looking at
£500 up to get a bike fit for purpose.a lot of good
bikes out there at that price,one of the best value
bikes is the claudbutler cape wrath d27,have a look
at the merida range,these will be the bikes to be
seen on in the future.

# 16 February 2010 at 7:43 pm

kevin kyle tidemand said:

Definitely increase the size of the frame to 18-20. Based on this, you should just buy another bike. You can save/swap components as you see fit. I would go full suspension. They are not much of a weight tradeoff and are much more comfortable as you get into more diverse terrain.

# 16 February 2010 at 11:30 pm

M V said:

I concur; the frame is way too small for you. You also have lower end components, so transferring them to another frame would be a major waste of time. I’d suggest trading the bike in on another.
I bought a complete second set of wheels for my mountain bike back when I was a lowly one-bike owner. I put some Panaracer T-Serv 26×1.5″ slicks on for road riding, and kept my knobbies for serious off-roading. Swapping wheelsets made both types of riding much more enjoyable.
One other option would be to look at a cyclocross bike. A road bike with a mountain bike mentality. The frames accept wider tires, but you still get the advantage of having the larger 700c tires. I bought one earlier this year and it rocks. I wish I had made the move sooner. I also have regular routes where I’m either taking some gravel or want to ride a few miles of dirt path, so a ‘cross bike was perfect for me.

# 17 February 2010 at 4:48 am