help - selling and buying a new bike for a girl

nicchick

Hello,
I currently have a kona scrap, think it is either 2003 or 2004. Now its not really suitable for me as I dont do jumping, more cross country / trail I suppose and also cycle to work.
I like my scrap but it is a bit heavy for what I use it for and I dont like the low gear ratio (is that right? its got lots of slow gears but not many fast ones!)

First question is that it is in pretty good nick - never been jumped and not ridden very hard or a lot due to a wrist injury (getting it fixed this week!). Has a small bit of paint missing on the frame but that is about it for damage.... How much can I expect to get for it?

Next on to what to buy.... I want a hardtail my budget is around £750 but it depends on how much I can sell my scrap for. Also Im not sure wether to go for a women specific or not - I have a long body with short legs so some girls models may not be suitable? I am however only 5"4 and 8 stone in weight so might be a problem with the suspension on a small mens bike. Had a look at a few bikes, but I have no technical knowledge so not sure which is better.... Also as I am getting it through a work scheme I cant get a discount on the rrp price so I am looking at 2008 models, my local bike shop doesnt stock kona either which is a shame because I liked the look of the kona lisa. But if people rekon its wicked I am happy to travel to test it out.

Anyway, models I thought were okay were.... (all 2008)
Trek 6500 wsd.....
Specialised Myka Pro (a bit put off by the girly bend in the frame)
Marin Juniper Trail

Havent had chance to take any for a spin yet but I will. Any comments??

Thanks nic

supersonic

Yeah, avoid the Marin: they have a habit of sticking the worst forks they can find on budget and mid range parts. Other two worth a try.

jacktheoc

http://www.paulscycles.co.uk/products.p ... 1b0s2p1107

thats good for the money if you can get another £50, you should be looking for around £230 for your kona!

supersonic

Its too big, only one size left: ideally needs to be tried. Nice price though.

jacktheoc

sorry missed that have a look around the website there are lots of bikes and very low prices also try wiggle and chainreactioncycles :!:

nicchick

Ive tried to find some reviews but women specific reviews seem to be few and far between....

thanks for the price rec on my scrap...

I have to use a local independent shop unfortunately to get the discount so cant really look on the net......

Re marin using cheap forks - are marzocchi (however you spell it!) not so good then?

Any comments on the Kona Lisa HT?

thanks, nic

jacktheoc

nop marzocchi are an excellent make it is justa cheap model, try to avoid suntour and rst forks as they are not so good,
the kona lisa is a good bike and has good components for £600, definetely worth a go..
http://www.awcycles.co.uk/brands/Kona/L ... index.aspx

supersonic

Sorry to disagree again, but its a poorly specced bike with a clanger of a suspension fork. Fork can make or break a bike, and this one turns a useful frame and parts into a mockery. Marzocchi MZ forks are made by Suntour, and are undamped.

nicchick

ummm but the 2008 marin juniper trail has the same forks (marzocchi MZ Race 100mm) as the kona lisa?? So should I therefore avoid that bike too??

:?:

supersonic

Yes. Only the MZ Supercomp has any rebound damping, and is a after market fork. I would avoid any MZ fork apart fprm the Supercomp. They really are crap!

nicchick

nice one - thanks supersonic...

so rockshoz tora 302 are good? (they are on both the myka pro and the trek) the guy in the shop confused me as he said these didnt have a spring in them?

Brake wise are shimano deore best or avid juicy? The guy in the shop said avid juicy were really good but.... you should never ever trust a salesman!!

thanks for answering my questions
nic

jacktheoc

never knew suntour made them, suddenly dont like them any more , its not bad specced for £600 hayes nine's and an xt rear mech you can find better dor a similar price..
check ebay,pauls cycles, wiggle, evanscycles and crc as they are usually lowprices.
definetely have a look on ebay you might be able to get a near new bike!

nicchick

um I meant rockshox obv!

L60N

I bought my Girlfriend a Marin Bear Valley, it came with a meagre spec at £475 RS DartII fork. I had f*ck all to do with the choice though, it was pink, *sold*

jacktheoc

forks avoid are rockshox judy, marz mz, rst and suntour.. i have never tried deore brakes but i cant imagine them been excellent do you know what model the avid juicys are?

nicchick

Hi jack to clarify I am getting the bike through a work scheme which means I only have to pay for 50% of the bikes value. Part of the condition however is that I use a local independant bike shop.....

So cant use internet sites or ebay or get it second hand or get it discounted on the rrp hence it is better value to go for a 2008 model

supersonic

Tora is best you will find at this price.

nicchick

jack the avid brakes are Avid Juicy 3 SL, hydraulic, 6" G2 clean sweep rotor...

aparently!

supersonic

Thats a good budget brake.

jacktheoc

http://www.winstanleysbikes.co.uk/index ... 4&brandID=

nicchick

thanks for the link jack it looks like a nice bike - bit more pricey than the myka by approx £100 but I much prefer the look of it - there is something I dont totally like about the myka frame..... I think maybe its quite girly? But in a bad girly way not a good girly way! Cant quite put my finger on it....

Need to find out if any local stores sell the giant...

I did spot the cannondale caffeine fem.... its £850 so more than I wanted to spend but I really like the look of it and seems okay..... on the plus side the shop I went to today stocks cannondale - they probably didnt show it to me as I said bikes up to £750....

nic

nicchick

link to cannondale -

http://www.evanscycles.com/product.jsp?style=86903

jacktheoc

cannondale is nice i had a prophet about 18month ago and loved it!
the giant is a really good price for the money and has good forks that has my vote 8) ..