Can I upgrade my Next Power Climber bike?

Question

My dad gave me a Next Power Climber MTB, and I was wondering if I can up grade it to a 30 speed because it's only 18 speed. I want to use the New Shimano SLX M670 series. I already know the money I'm going to put in to this is alot and alot of people keep telling me to just by a new bike but I want to make my own customized bike and I like the frame on the Next Power Climber because it's the cheapest thing I'm going to get as far as a full suspension frame. So can I upgrade it.

P.S. Do you think I should get a hard tail bike frame because I also heard alot of bad reviews about the Next Power Climber.

Answer 1

The next bike is 100$ (i know because i own one and have seen it at walmart) The Next bike is bad news for people like you (no offense) who think it can do what it cant. The rear suspension on that bike is just a gimmick, its there to make people see the "true value". The derailleur you desire is more then half the price of your bike, doesn't that tell you anything? Now you can upgrade anything on the bike as long as it fits (you could put a fox 40 fork on there if it would fit) but i do not think you could fit a 10 gear cassette on the bike as there wouldn't be enough space between the hub and the derailleur hanger since it is designed for 6 gears but I may be wrong (not likely in this case) bring the bike to your local bike shop and ask them all of your questions (bring your bike) they will answer everything you need to know with finesse . Go with the hardtail because your $ will be less "spread around" for example; of the 100$ the next bike is, say the rear shock accounts for 7$ of it, eliminate the rear shock (now you have a hardtail at the same price) and you have 7$ to spend on higher grade other parts. Im not sure on what you plan to do with it but by the looks of that derailleur i dont think its what its meant for ;) So in the end go out and buy a hardtail and put money into that!

Answer 2

With bikes, few things are outright impossible.



But something being possible doesn't mean it's sensible.



And upgrading a Next Power Climber is one of those.



Reason being that bike parts are a lot more expensive when bought piece by piece as opposed to when assembled as a bicycle.

By the time you've finished, you'll have spent MORE on the upgrades than what a new bike would have cost you.

And you're still left with a heavy frame with poor suspension design.



Best I can tell, the SLX Group rear hub uses a 142 mm thru-axle design, which won't fit in your frame.

Don't know if there are adapters available to turn it into a 135 mm Quick-release axle, which would be more likely - but not guaranteed - to fit your frame.



If you insist on throwing money away, it'd make more sense to buy something that'd fit straight off, as opposed to something that'd ALSO need to be modified before use.



Also neither fork or frame on your bike appears to have the required disc brake mounts.

For the rear, there are adapters available that - while ugly - actually work just fine.

Haven't seen a fork disc brake adapter I'd be willing to trust yet, even though there are some.

But I guess you're dreaming about replacing the fork anyhow.



So, get a jar.

Write "New bike " on it.

And every time you get the upgrade urge, go to the jar.

Stuff money into it until the urge passes or your wallet is empty.



Might not feel as fun, but trust me, the Power Climber is NOT good upgrade material.

Answer 3

You can put lipstick on a pig. But at the end of the day, it's still a pig. Trying to upgrade a Next Power Climber is a waste of both time & $$$.

Answer 4

Read David's advice. Every bit of what he says is true. Buying a complete new bike is a much better option and will cost less than trying to upgrade yours

Answer 5

Definitely not worth it. Don't spend $450-550 fixing an $89 bike. The frame will still only be a $25 WalMart frame that, truth be told, probably doesn't even fit you properly.

Answer 6

A next power climber bike is total junk not worth upgrading. I rode one once it was terrible the shocks ate up all the energy.



http://www.bikesdirect.com/products/mountain_bikes.htm#dht

Answer 7

Just ride it until it dies.



Do you really mean getting a frame only? That costs more than a bike to outfit. Get a complete bike.

Answer 8

Don't get a frame. Get a complete bike. Building one on your own will triple & maybe quadruple the price of one in a bike shop.

Answer 9

You asked this same question in 2013 https://answersrip.com/question/index?qid=20130526170202AAMtB83&p=next%20power%20climber%20bicycle

Answer 10

I needed a good laugh today. Thanks.