nikbrown

17 years ago I bought a Trek 4300 hardtail and didn't splurge for the diskbreak option....
For about 6 years I road the hell out of it and it served me very well as a singletrack and fireroad bike....

I haven't ridden for about 10 years other than a few rides to the park with the family and playing around in the driveway... A few weeks ago I decided I was going to get back into it as my fitness option (since my normal Brazilian JiuJitsu isn't currently an option do to the health situation in my area). So far I have just played around on our property but was going to go hit some trails next week. Today I got on the bike and the fork compressed and didn't come back out. Needless to say it's been neglected.

I took it apart and the internals are toast... filled with sand and rust...
It's a cheap fork and not worth repairing.

The bike is 90% stock (although I have a $50 1x crankset on its way, I was going to put on it) and now here is my dilemma:
Option 1: Find a 26" spring fork with rim breaks.... probably around $200-250
Option 2: Get a new air fork for around the same price but I'd probably also have to switch to disk breaks which will mean new rims, new breaks, and probably new shifters and hydraulic break levers since they are a combined unit on this old Trek. Total cost maybe: $500-600
Option 3: Stick some cheap solid fork on it for town use and spend the $600 on a new 29er of some variety.

Am I better off upgrading this old 26" frame or just starting over?
Options?

trailangel

Save for a new bike.

Bikewolf

... or consider a used bike that is affordable and good enough to have fun with.

grubetown

+1 for option 3

70sSanO

It might to worth your while to rent a 29er for a weekend and see the difference a couple decades make. Nothing wrong with your 4300, but it is not a collectible frame and you are throwing money at something you won’t recoup. And you may find it doesn’t hold enough memories to overcome its shortcomings.

But a lot depends on what you can spend. If you can find a lightly used mtb that would probably be the best route. You own a good example of what not to buy. But it is important to find someone who bought the bike and didn’t ride it much.

John

nikbrown

Thanks all... I think I'll take your advice... I'll just throw a rigid fork on my old trek and use it as an around town bike and dicking around in the driveway with the kids. I'll start looking around and see what I can find in the sub $1000 category for my entry back into the sport. (and keep an eye on the used market)

Mountain Mitch

There’s nothing inherently wrong with a 26er, but the one you’ve got isn’t worth too much cost or effort. The advantage of a 26er is that you can probably get a significantly better used 26er for your money than you can a 27.5 or 29. Consider the frame, components and condition carefully and test ride at least a bit.

c_m_shooter

Get a rigid fork, the fattest front tire you can fit and go ride. New bikes are hard to find right now, maybe better in the fall. If you are patient, next year the used market will be flooded with top of the line bikes that were bought and rode twice.

paulmalva

Definitely keep an eye on the used market. It's a bit crazy right but if you are quick you can still find good deals.
And I would also recommend going to a bike park and renting a 29er.
If your trails have a lot of rocks and roots, the rolling ability of a 29 wheel is very nice.