new ride or upgrade?

Muddy Beast

Hey, im new to the forums but iv been MTBing for a few years now...heres my deal....i would like to have a nicer ride then wat i have right now...a Schwinn mesa disc and i would like the ride to be good for Jumping but at the same time cross country, now i would like to have a ride with full suspension but they cost alot for my no job budget, and i just bought a manitou sherman breakout cuz it was 500 bucks off for today only *www.cambriabike.com* and yeah

what should i do upgrade my current hard tail to make it ride like a full suspension, or save up my no job cash and wait a few years to buy a full?

~My specs~
im- 13
wiegh- 130
hieght- 5'8
style- Fast and fun, cross country and free ride jumps
Money coming in- about 200-300 bucks a year
skill- moderat rider
damage control- i need good brakes and jumping control

~current bike specs~
Frame- Schwinn Mesa
Fork- Rock Shock jett, Manitou sherman breakout on the way...hope it fits my bike *stock*
Tires- IRC Mythos XC
Tubes- Specialized thorn prooth
Rims- AlexRims *a lil beat up, Stock*
Drivetrain- Shimano, not sure what kind but its not very smooth *stock*
Rear Derailleur- Shimano Alivio *stock*
Front Derailleur- Acera *stock*
Brakes- Deora Disc *stock*
Shifters- Shimano trigger with brake levers attached *stock*
Seat post- Schwinn *stock*
Seat- Schwinn leather *stock*
Stem- Ride ready schwinn *stock*
Handle bars- Schwinn *stock*


What you think build up this bike ^
-Or buy a brand new bike and start over

~Scott

__________________

dabac

A HT will never ride like a FS because it isn't one. There's not much you can do to soften up the rear triangle. If you want some added rider comfort you can try using a suspension seatpost and the beefiest rear tyre your frame/rim can hold, but don't expect too much.

Getting a bike that's good for both XC and jumping is a tall order, 'cause the characteristics that you want for jumping and XC are basically contrary to each other.

I suggest you keep your current hardtail for XC, and maybe do some easy upgrades to gears/derailleurs as they get worn out. Then save for a real FS rig to do your jumping on.

Muddy Beast

thanks, that was some good advice

~Scott

__________________

peet9471

Keep looking. I picked up a used FS a few months back, and got it running for little or nothing. Now I ride it on super rough trails and it makes me appreciate my good bike on all the rest.
Good Luck

__________________
Trek 7000 ZX
Trek 760

Muddy Beast

i made a desission...heres what im going to do...now i want a FS bike but i cant afford one and if i get one then theres no way i can upgrade my hardtail so im going to treat my ht wid someupgrades...first im putting a Manitou with SPV not sure what but im looking at a '04 minute or a sherman firefly '04 one wid good ajustable suspension, then im going to pay that off wid my parents by doing work aroudnt he hosue ect. after my forks paid off ill go small and change my derailluers and makes them like shimano XT's, from there ill upgrade to a better seat and some light but strong handle bars and a seat post....then the tires as they get worn out anywere inbatween all this, it will probly take me about 2-3 years to pay all this stuff of but it will inprove my bike alot....i figure that this ride should be strong enough wid enough lift to do my jumping and have enough stable control that i can do my XC riding on the way to the jumps, this Manitou SPV fork deal is wat sells the whole idea because its stable for my uphill climbing and flat rides, and has suspension to jump with out bottoming out, this ride should also be about 2 pounts lighter then my current 30 pound hardtail

....PLEASE SOMEONE TALK TO ME ABOUT MY MANITOU SHERMAN FOR SALE ITS A GREAT DEAL AND I CANNOT UPGRADE UNTIL IT IS GONE!!! PLEASE CONSIDER THIS I WILL DO W/E POSSIBLE TO CONVINCE YOU TO BUY MY FORK!

~Thanks for your guys advice~

~Scott

__________________

SomeGuy

Get a job as soon as you can. You won't regret it. Not just because of the money, but because you really do learn a lot. I know it sounds stupid, but it's true. I'm turning 18 in a few months, and I've been working 3 years. The experiance (not to mention the money) is invaluable :P.