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    What should I do with my old hardtail?

    I recently bought a new full suspension MTB.
    I haven’t ridden this bike much lately. Kind of a combination of reasons why…
    I know this thing is outdated but looking for suggestions. Should I donate it? Sell it? Keep it? Turn it into some kind of urban/rail trail bikepacking beast. Mechanically it’s okay. Not stellar, but I can get through a ride without any major issues.
    The thought of keeping something that I won’t use or hardly use kind of stresses me out. I’m a bit of a minimalist.

    by Remote_Swim_8485

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    20 Comments

    1. theCobraEvent on

      Do you know anyone unfortunate who recently lost a bike or had one stolen? I know when I give things away to people who need them, it makes me feel good. If you can afford that, just something to consider. Increase karma points. That said it’s also a nice bike so I wouldn’t just give that away lol

    2. hoo_dawgy on

      I’d fix it up, maybe convert it to 1x and keep it as a chill loaner to have a friend ride with you

    3. aShittierShitTier4u on

      Moto bars, blackburn mtn rear cargo rack with Wald 528 folding baskets, and maybe a 6 gallon wire milk crate on the front of the handlebars. With the right mounting hardware, you should be able to haul cargo near equal to your ideal body weight. Load it up with stuff during the off season, and you can build additional bike handling strength by wrangling a heavy bike borne load. Like how much dirty laundry can you take to the laundromat in a single trip? Now what is the most challenging route to a laundromat? I don’t care about you have a washer and dryer at home. Ride your bike to home depot and buy bricks, these cargo baskets can handle the weight. Go to a yard sale and buy iron plates for barbells, someone is always giving up. They see you loading them on your bike and they resolve to stay out the gene pool.

    4. BreakfastShart on

      I donated my old XC hardtail to a coworker who injured their knee, and couldn’t run for exercise anymore. They were a little bike curious, but not sure about taking the plunge. My bike was collecting dust for years. I was never going to ride it, other than on the street. And that’s what my 72 Raleigh is for.

    5. beer_miles on

      I’d keep it for a while at least. I got a full suspension and gave away my HT and quickly realized I hate the FS bike. Now I have several thousand dollars collecting dust in the garage and am looking for a used hard tail to replace it.

    6. metmerc on

      I converted my old 2010 29er hardtail into a gravel/urban bike. The biggest things I did was add alt bars (Velo Orange Crazy Bar), a rigid fork (not necessary, but nice) and install some 700c gravel tires. Anyway, that’s my suggestion

      I’m not sure what wheels are on that bike, but if it’s a 29er, then the rim diameter is the same as 700c. If 27.5, then I think it’s the same as 650b. The bike feels a lot zippier with significantly lighter tires.

    7. Zerocoolx1 on

      Put some pedals on it and ride it of give it to a mate/family member and encourage them to get riding.
      Spread the love for cycling,

    8. somegenxdude on

      Kinda hard for a bunch of random redditors to answer your question, as we don’t know what your wants/needs in terms of bikes are.

      There are all sorts of possibilities for decent second-hand bikes though.

      Do you live in a densely enough populated area that you’d benefit from having a commuter/townie bike, and don’t already have such a beast? Put some slicks and maybe a rack on it, and use it for errands and running about town.

      Do you have out of town friends/relatives who like to ride and regularly visit w/o their bikes? Keep it on hand for a loaner bike.

      Do you have friends/relatives who might be interested in taking up the sport but aren’t ready to spend a lot of dough? Tune it up and give it to them.

      Do you have a local bike coop that takes donor bikes and sells or gives them away to people who need them? Donate it.

      Are you really hard up and every little bit helps? Sell it and pocket the cash.

    9. Quizzar on

      I turned my Giant Talon into a city/gravel bike. Made the bars narrower and put some better rolling tires (CONTINENTAL DOUBLE FIGHTER III). I`’m considering ditching the fork for a fixed one to lose some weight.

    12. ScallywagSingletrak on

      Donate it to a young lad/lass from a underprivileged background….spread the love help some1 break free….mtb a life style

    14. SaltyPinKY on

      I keep my old hardtail around for riding to concerts, bars, basically anywhere I can get in and out real quick and leave the car far from the drama.

    15. Nightshade400 on

      Keep it as a commuter and store runner. I would update the drivetrain a little and make sure everything is in good running condition. Shouldn’t take too much to do and will be a fun project.

    17. MTRunner on

      Keep it for a commuter, mess around town type bike.
      More efficient to ride on flat ground than FS, older bike that you won’t care nearly as much about if, God forbid, someone steals it while out and about, and it keeps wear and tear off of your new bike. Keep that one pristine for the trails and this one to cruise around on.

    20. Ya_Boi_Newton on

      Fix it up into a road bike and take up urban cycling if it’s safe to do so. I fixed mine up like this, but discovered urban cycling is suicide in my town, so I’m giving it to a friend with better bike lanes in his city.

      Fix it up and donate it. Life is hard for a lot of people right now, and I’m sure that someone without the means would greatly appreciate this bike.

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