My Gary Fisher Big Sur developed a crack in the seat tube, Trek’s lifetime warranty is covering it fortunately but I’ve a decision to make about what to do next and thought you lovely people might be able to help put the options in perspective…

I’ve been offered a 4900 alu as a direct replacement (£0) an 8.9 alu as an upgrade (£400) or a 9 series carbon as a bigger upgrade (£800)…

– Is there likely to be much difference between the 2 alu frames?
– The carbon step is a bit wallet-hurting but is it worth it?
– Should I accept the 4900 and resell it? Doubt it’s raise enough to buy something too nice but the value of that + the £400 of the upgrade might… It might not though…

If it helps… I do race a few times a year – I’m not podium-bothering level but I don’t do too badly…

Cheers,
Verses…