upgrades for daily driver?
i got this Mongoose “Beast” for free on CL the other day, and it’s my first ever mountain bike! i’m eager to start training up to hit trails by the summer but she’s not in any way road (or trail) ready.
she’s a single speed with coaster breaks — not ideal as i’m used to riding road/gravel bikes — and no suspension. she has good bones (heavy af!!) and seemed well loved despite all the rusted nuts and chain.
i'm hoping to turn this into a heavy duty bruiser/tactical bike i can commute in the city AND take to the trail with friends. my budget is crazy low but i’m okay with taking my time to save for premium parts to achieve my goal. think: pump track at 10am, ride to my afternoon job by 2pm, then hit a lazy park path on the evening commute home at 9pm, and riding out to some gwen/blue trails on the weekend.
what suggestions might y’all have for upgrading my bike to be able to take vertical hills (i live in a very hilly city) , increase comfort for extended/all day riding, and recommendations on upgrading my break system and gears.
im very new to mtb builds and would love to get back into cycling after over a decade off my rebuilt schwinn le tour. please help if you can!!