Question about Bikes (of the pedal variety)

[Jest3r]

I've got an old british eagle ZFX which fit me perfectly, however... it's rusted on things like handlebars etc and think the gear sets have been dinged a bit so catch on gear change.

Is it likely to be cheaper to get a totally new bike, or just new handbars/stem (maybe forks) rims etc?

I'm happy doing the work myself, but don't want to spend money and time hunting for the right frame size, (gotta be 23/24 minimum)

Was considering something like specialised rockjumper or something similar, hard tail mtb if i'm going for replacement.

Off the top of my head, stuff that would need replacing :
Rear sprocket set
Handlebars and stem,
Fairly sure front forks and possibly the rims (therefore tyres too if everything is apart)
Chain,

 

[Jest3r]

from what's said, I'm guessing new bike time

Am happy to spend up to around 500ish I guess, I've done some digging around online, but main reason I'm asking about the refurb is that i'm 6'6, so big sized bikes aren't always the easiest things to find....

Wasn't thinking about just throwing ebay wonders onto the bike, if I do it, i'd like some semi decent gear on it,

 

[Jest3r]

fair enough thanks

Any things to watch out for? (been bloody ages since I bought/used bike)
I know I don't need rear suspension, is front worth it?

 

[Jest3r]

was thinking about this... http://www.wheelies.co.uk/bikesNew/bikeDetail.asp?ID=1990&supplier=SPECIALIZED

(wheelies is local to me, so obviously a trip down there would be in order, as would m&ps)

 

[Jest3r]

cheers for the replies so far

I'm not against going up a little if the bike is worth it, once I start riding again, I will probs do some off road, but nothing especially tough (more like some forestry etc) and given I live about 10 miles from swansea sea front, I'll probs end up doing regular runs down to there and back.

 

[Jest3r]

Just spoken to one of shops, and they suggested this one

http://www.trekbike.co.uk/2006/?sec=overview&MainCatID=2&SubCatID=8&RangeID=&ID=217

as the size would probs suit better. Opinions? or should I stick with looking at the rockhopper (obviously going to try them both for a bit, but if there's a downside with them, I'll not bother with it to start )