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Upgrade My Old Bike or Buy a New One?

Question: I have an old Bridgestone steel frame and want to upgrade. Should I buy a new bike or get new components for my old one? I could afford to buy an aluminum-frame bike with mediocre parts or, for the same money, put higher-quality parts on my old frame. — Jim M.

Coach Fred Matheny Replies:  I think you’d probably enjoy a new bike. It’ll be lighter and work better than bikes from your Bridgestone’s era.

Remember, too, that with a new bike you get everything new, not just selected parts. This includes items that can fatigue and fail over time, such as the handlebar and seatpost.

Today’s “mediocre” components work about as well as the best stuff when your bike was made.

If I were you, I’d save the Bridgestone for commuting, errands and training in bad weather. The new bike could be used for everything else. Then, for the price of the upgrade, you’d have two bikes instead of one!

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