It has decent components and a monitor and decent keyboard that could yield about 2500-2700$ and i have a modded marlin 5 gen 3 which could get me $700 and i have 600$ which totals at $4000. I was looking at a Marin Rift zone XR(https://bikesonline.com.au/products/2025-marin-rift-zone-xr-dual-suspension-mountain-bike?srsltid=AfmBOopkg66FCSIgZf23J-_8tRghfR5SbuNJu9cYkQHnsjOKLCroqreh&variant=49388069355801) for 3299$. I’m stumped because playing games is fun with my friends but it sometimes gets boring and i usually ride my bike alot. I’m not sure if i’ll regret it or not and I really don’t want to make the wrong decision.
Edit: I’m 13 years old and my grades are starting to slip
by josho86t
10 Comments
Whilst computer games aren’t a bad thing, not playing computer games is never a wrong decision.
You’re still growing. Make sure you put good tyres pedals and grips on the marlin and send it. Once you stop growing then consider a full sus, otherwise the sizing will be wrong within a year or 2.
Sorry for asking the adult question but do you need your computer for schoolwork?
Second, will selling your computer negatively affect your time with friends? If you bike by yourself all the time, are you ok if you lose them? Are there other kids your age biking that you’ll enjoy hanging out with?
Really just trying to make you think about indirect consequences to either decision. If you’re still struggling, write down a list of pros and cons, and if you want to use a spreadsheet you can even weight them by importance and come to a logical conclusion that way.
I think you will regret selling it. I’m 40 years old and playing video games with my friends when I was a teenager is one of my best times in life.
If you mix in video games, biking and other social/physical activity then I think that’s a good balance.
Just don’t spend all day every day on your computer and make sure do your school work, its actually very important.
I think keep the computer. It’s good to have a wide range of hobbies. I also think you’ll be getting fleeced because you lose a lot of money selling second hand stuff, and you lose a lot of money the second you ride a brand new bike.
If you are going to get a better bike, get a second hand one and you’ll get far more value for your money.
Just store the PC, if you don’t miss the gaming you can always sell it and store the money on a savings account.
Also if your grades start to slip you might want to work on your own discipline now before it becomes a problem later on.
I would try and find a way to not sell your computer. Until it just sits for 6 months. Even then I might recommend not. If your computer is any good (selling price suggests it should be) you should be able to use for years to come.
Then again you didn’t mention, do you have a family computer you can use? At 13 I don’t see how you could get by without one
You mentioned your grades. Is that something that slipping due to other activities or is it something you can keep a little pressure on to improve?
I just picked up a second bike. First full suspension. I have about 10 miles on it so far. While it was an amazing experience, the hard tail was still letting me ride and have a great time. I don’t think I would have sold my computer to make up the difference and I most likely play less than you.
Keep the games if you like doing it. You already have a good bike! You can go ride anything on that bike! AND you have the computer. It’s not like a new bike will unlock new tricks or new trails you couldn’t ride before. It’s obviously up to you but the bike you have sounds solid and you seem to really like the CPU as well. Nice bikes don’t make anyone’s better rider! I’ve been riding for damn near 29 years and I still shred a hard tail and I love it!
You are massively over estimating what you can get for selling second hand, the Marlin for example you seem to expect $700, I’ve seen it new for that price
Sell it all, buy a steam deck and dump all your money in bikes. Preferably used to maximise bang for buck.
Keep the monitor for browsing new bikes as the steam deck makes an excellent PC.
Before someone says, ‘But the steam deck is underpowered ‘, you don’t need that much for lonely mountains downhill and descenders…..