Full suspension with a welded frame

I wasn't asking about the levers just for the sake of it; since they're integrated on the Trek, swapping out the brakes means you're also stuck replacing the shifters. If you go with that second option, you'll still be left staring at a cassette and Tourney 7-speed components on the Trek, which doesn't seem particularly logical. Personally, I'd suggest moving everything over to the Kona frame—take all the parts from the Kona and put them on the Trek, then just see what you have left over.

It makes zero sense to put Louis on a Trek (literally).
Those brakes are way too high-end for a clunker like that.
Your Aurige setup would be total overkill compared to what you’re running right now.

+ Plus, you’d have to grab new shifters too, just like darkmaker mentioned.

I mean, look—either move everything over to the Blast and sell the shock to build a decent bike, then use whatever else fits on the Trek.
The wheels and fork are off the table, but the drivetrain, brakes, and gears can work. You'll definitely need those new shifters anyway because of the hydraulics.

Just write down all your wishes and messages, and toss some cash in there too! I might just follow suit by upgrading my Focus and swapping some gear onto my girlfriend's Merida with the V-brakes. It’d basically turn her ride into a solid, custom hydraulic setup, even if she doesn't gain as much as I do from just getting better brakes.

Alright, let's get everything down on paper and decide what the best move is. Thanks.

By the way, to wrap up that thought about the Trek—if I swap out the stock HL280 brakes for some Hayes MX-4 mechanicals at no extra cost, would that actually be an upgrade?

EDIT: And honestly, I haven't got a clue how much that shock might be worth on the market.

I honestly think we could turn this entire thread into a full episode of some drama series based on the idea that blood is thicker than water.😁

Everything is settled. We aren't touching the Trek; it’s brand new, so it stays exactly as it is while my buddy works on his fitness.

All the parts from the Full suspension bike are going onto the Kona, and everything from the Kona will move over to a different new frame for my brother. We're splitting the costs so that I'll be footing the entire bill for the Kona upgrade $250, while he gets a custom bike with high-end parts for just a little more than $333.

Thanks, everyone.

👍 That’s a solid call... though if my friend decides to upgrade anything else anytime soon, it’ll likely just be some Avid hydraulic brakes—which I’ve already suggested, maybe snagging them on eBay for around $80 if we're lucky

I've actually been hunting for a frame for a friend myself (looking for something in the 14" or 15" range), and I stumbled upon this Giant
on Craigslist.

A smart move after everything 👍

Look, this isn't just some minor thing you should be overthinking; honestly, I’d say just go for it. The only real headache might be if the wheels are 26-inch, but I have a feeling the guy didn't even bother leaving the headset intact—it looks like it's basically been shredded, with parts scattered everywhere.

Morgan Moore37 said:The wheels might be an issue if they're 26-inch. I suspect the guy didn't tighten his headset properly, and now it's completely blown out (parts are scattered everywhere).

So the Kona and the new frame being bought will be 26". I'm not quite following the comment about the wheels and the headset—could someone clarify?

sorry Edward Long2, I actually meant to send this to darkmaker regarding that white frame

Is that an XS frame? If it is, then it shouldn't be too big... my ex used to ride a bike with that exact same frame size, and she was only about 5'1". It fit her perfectly.

That would be ideal, really... though I find myself wondering about the point Morgan Moore37 made earlier.

I’d probably opt for a slightly longer build, given that right now all we have to work with is the jaw, the stem, the handlebars, and the seat—including the seatpost. We're missing the more expensive components. Since this is strictly for recreational use, I think sticking with Altus components would be the sensible route.

It really just comes down to how much cash they’re willing to sink into this. The wheels are the real headache here; you can find some for $167, but when it comes to finding ones that actually work with disc brakes, you’re looking at $233. The real question is whether they actually want to drop that kind of money. I was trying to build a custom Giant CTX4 myself—I even tracked down a fork—but the wheels are absolutely killing me. You can't find anything decent for disc brakes until you hit $167, and if they actually fit a disc setup, you're looking at $700 minimum, maybe closer to $1,000. Honestly, I'm not about to drop that much.

At $700/$333, once you factor in the frame and the fork, I could probably just grab a complete used bike with disc brakes on Craigslist for basically the same price.

The idea is to kit out the whole bike for $333...just picking up Altus components through various online classifieds...standard rim brakes...it’s really just intended for the occasional ride around town.

$333, v-brakes, maybe possible,

frame 150
wheelset 300-$200
drivetrain + bottom bracket (probably better to just grab a new one that fits) 200-$100
8-speed cassette + chain 250 new - I guess buying used isn't really worth the headache
pedals $33, lights should be next on the list, reflectors for the wheels $20 total, tires $67 both inner and outer sets,

I'm not sure if I've missed anything else, I guess

I'm debating whether I should swap the handlebar and stem from my full suspension bike over to my Con. Is the upgrade actually noticeable, or am I just thinking about it? Honestly, part of me just wants the look since everything is branded KONA and it would match perfectly. 🙂

From what I gather, the bars would be wider—which helps with stability on descents, right? And a shorter stem would make the steering feel more direct?

Well, I suppose it all comes down to whether the dimensions actually suit you. You have the specifications for both options—the mouthpiece and the steering wheel, specifically the Con version and the alternative—so you can compare them. Besides, if the steering wheel ends up being a bit much, you can always trim it down to fit.

I'm pretty sure a shorter stem is definitely the way to go for me. As for the handlebars, I can't say for certain—I'll need to test them out first.

That looks like it’s probably a 700+ mm handlebar, which I honestly don't think you'll find much use for if you're just cruising around town.

I wouldn't rush to swap out the handlebars just yet... give it at least a month of hitting the trails. You can always trim them down to whatever width feels right for you later on, and honestly, they're already a step up from what you'd find on a Kon bike...