[blandy]

Hello All,

I've got a 2013 Intense Hard Eddie (carbon hardtail) 29er. I like the bike, but, it's in need of some maintenance, and I'm wondering if the cost of upgrading is justified, rather than selling the bike and updating it to something newer.

The bike has Avid XX brakes- and they are shot. I've tried bleeding, new pads, etc etc- they are worn and they need to be replaced.

The bike also is a 2x10- which doesn't necessarily bother me- but, I hate the Avid XX shifters (paired with xx front and x9 rear)- they are super awkward to shift (don't ever use the smaller chainring-so I'm just shifting on the right-hand side). I'd pay just to get a Shimano shifter again.

The bike has stock aluminum rims- nothing too special for hub/wheelset.

While I do live in a populated area with what seems like an ample supply of used bikes- I do know there is a shortage right now. I'm a fan of secondhand bike acquisition (aka cheap/frugal), and 56 cm/large bike frames seem to be in abundance.

Is it worth it to throw on new brakes, convert to a 1 by xx, and try to find some nicer aluminum/carbon rims....or would that $$$ in parts/labor alone be better used to help justify a different bike?

Again- I like this bike (minus the ugly decals), it's light and fast (and if I could ever find single-speed dropouts- a contender for a 1x1). I'd stick w/ hardtail if I were to upgrade to another bike.

Anybody who is smarter/more knowledgeable than me willing to share some advice? Thank you thank you!

 

[rod9301]

It probably has a pretty steep head angle.
I would sell and buy a slacker bike, you will really like it better

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[blandy]

It probably has a pretty steep head angle.
I would sell and buy a slacker bike, you will really like it better

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Thank you- I appreciate the advice.

Does 70.5 degrees look/sound right (Taken from the manual)? What are the new bike running for their angle?

 

[Tall BMX'r]

Any where from 67 down to 63 degrees. The Trek Roscoe HT (similar to your bike) has a 65 degree HTA. The slacker they are, the more stable they feel on the downhills. I think when they get down to 64 or 63 degrees, the front wheel noticeably flops side to side when climbing. You get used to it, but it's there. You'll see very low (very slack) HTA on downhill centric bikes.

 

[SoDakSooner]

Pretty bike. I'd definitely keep in the stable. Hard to find parts right now. but I'd eventually convert to 1x, if you can't find the ss parts. Might be able to throw an angleset in there and slacken a little bit. I wouldn't throw a ton of money at it but it'd be a fun one to tinker with as time and money allow. Shimano brakes kill Sram ones IMO (and yes everything else I have on my current ride is SRAM Eagle.) Lighten it up a bit. I'll bet it is a rocket.

 

[sgltrak]

If it is what you are used to, there is no harm in continuing to ride it with some updates. However, parts are hard to find these days so you may have better luck buying a complete replacement bike.

 

[BadgerOne]

The fact that you are asking this question suggests that you don't love the bike, or are at least over it. That's a racy geometry. If the geometry works well for you then it might be worth upgrading. If a modern slacker bike would suit your riding better, it may be time to move it on.

 

[blandy]

Any where from 67 down to 63 degrees. The Trek Roscoe HT (similar to your bike) has a 65 degree HTA. The slacker they are, the more stable they feel on the downhills. I think when they get down to 64 or 63 degrees, the front wheel noticeably flops side to side when climbing. You get used to it, but it's there. You'll see very low (very slack) HTA on downhill centric bikes.

Thank you!

Luckily the land is pretty flat here in Minnesota- not a ton of hills. I'd be intrigued to see what riding on something slacker would feel like. For me, it's mostly singletrack w/ very few obstacles.

 

[blandy]

Pretty bike. I'd definitely keep in the stable. Hard to find parts right now. but I'd eventually convert to 1x, if you can't find the ss parts. Might be able to throw an angleset in there and slacken a little bit. I wouldn't throw a ton of money at it but it'd be a fun one to tinker with as time and money allow. Shimano brakes kill Sram ones IMO (and yes everything else I have on my current ride is SRAM Eagle.) Lighten it up a bit. I'll bet it is a rocket.

Thanks- I've got a rigid fork for it as well, which is 18.x lbs when setup fully rigid. I like riding at faster speeds on singletrack (and this bike has performed well), minus the braking and shifting.

I have friends riding Shimano brakes on their MTB, night and day difference in the feel from the old spongy AVID's.

I like the idea of dropping even more weight on this rig!

 

[kevine1785]

I was in the same boat as you.. I have a 2012 GT Zaskar 29er.. same 70.5 degree headtube angle.. I decided to keep it, swapped on a carbon rigid fork, and converted to 1x11... I love riding the bike on fire roads and some pretty tame single track, and went out and bought a new full suspension XC bike for anything more technical. Glad I kept my old bike as its a fun round-town bike.

 

[blandy]

If it is what you are used to, there is no harm in continuing to ride it with some updates. However, parts are hard to find these days so you may have better luck buying a complete replacement bike.

I'm afraid to know the cost of all the parts/labor to get it up to snuff!

 

[blandy]

I was in the same boat as you.. I have a 2012 GT Zaskar 29er.. same 70.5 degree headtube angle.. I decided to keep it, swapped on a carbon rigid fork, and converted to 1x11... I love riding the bike on fire roads and some pretty tame single track, and went out and bought a new full suspension XC bike for anything more technical. Glad I kept my old bike as its a fun round-town bike.

See- now this is solid advice! Upgrade the bike and then also get a new full suspension. ha.

I think the full suspension is going to be an inevitable future purchase- but something about getting close to sub 20 lbs always intrigues me though.

Do you notice a pretty big difference on the ride quality between the 2? Slacker geo make a big difference in the feel?

 

[dompedro3]

Why not just rent/borrow a bike with slacker angles. See if you can feel the difference.
If you really want to get into the mountain biking spirit you can spend money on upgrading it and buy a new bike.
Angleset can get you to 68.5 degree head angle - $100-200
1x drivetrain can get rid of front der - $150+
brakes to fix old ones - $250
Wider tires - $120
New Wheels - $500-$1000
dropper seatpost - $150
New Full suspension bike (optional) - $3000

So for anywhere from $1350 - $4900 and you can refresh your bike.

 

[blandy]

The fact that you are asking this question suggests that you don't love the bike, or are at least over it. That's a racy geometry. If the geometry works well for you then it might be worth upgrading. If a modern slacker bike would suit your riding better, it may be time to move it on.

Why not just rent/borrow a bike with slacker angles. See if you can feel the difference.
If you really want to get into the mountain biking spirit you can spend money on upgrading it and buy a new bike.
Angleset can get you to 68.5 degree head angle - $100-200
1x drivetrain can get rid of front der - $150+
brakes to fix old ones - $250
Wider tires - $120
New Wheels - $500-$1000
dropper seatpost - $150
New Full suspension bike (optional) - $3000

So for anywhere from $1350 - $4900 and you can refresh your bike.

I appreciate the breakdown on the prices, that's super helpful. I'm less concerned with comfort and "squish" and would rather have something that is responsive and as quick as I can pedal.

Brakes and shifter are my biggest complaints, so, maybe I'll start w/ that. But, then do I upgrade the shifter to accommodate a bigger range (1x12/12) and go with a new rear wheel, or, keep it a 2x10 and spend that money on a carbon (older) wheel. Hmmm.....

 

[Nick_M]

I've got a 2013 Intense Hard Eddie (carbon hardtail) 29er. I like the bike, but, it's in need of some maintenance, and I'm wondering if the cost of upgrading is justified, rather than selling the bike and updating it to something newer.

The proper order should be:
1. Buy new bike
2. Sell Old one or keep it

Selling old bike first will put you in position without a bike for uncertain timeframe due to supply issues across industry;
Bikes changes drastically from 2013, new bike will have better performance and will be more enjoyable to ride;

 

[baker]

I don't see the value in spending a ton of $$$ on a new wheelset. What is the advantage? You can run a 12 speed drivetrain on your current hub.

Brakes and drivetrain are easy upgrades...

And, I agree with Nick_M, although my modus operandi is to never sell...always good to have an extra bike laying around

 

[looks easy from here]

What's your budget?

 

[Calsun]

I have a very old and heavy bike with 2x drivetrain, V-brakes, and 26 inch wheels. I recently put on new brakes and new tires and I plan to keep it. There are times when I cannot be sure the bike would not get stolen and the loss of this one would not cause me any grief should that happen.

 

[Zguitar71]

I’m in the buy new keep old camp. Modern bike are better than ever, from parts to frame geo. I recently moved from a 2002 hardtail to a 2021 Epic Evo. I cannot believe I didn’t do it sooner, I just didn’t realize how good new bikes are. A short travel bike sounds perfect for your terrain, something in the “down country” category. They are still efficient so they respond like an xc bike but give enough comfort for all day rides over rocks and roots. The geo of most dc bikes is perfect, IMO, for flatter or rolling trails.

 

[eb1888]

Here in the US Costco is selling a bike online. Intense 951 XC. https://intense951.com/products/951-series-xc . It's $3249 on the Costco site when it comes in stock. Right now the trail version is in stock. https://www.costco.com/intense-951-trail-bike.product.100692028.html The XC model will be available periodically. Lght, carbon frame. A good buy.