bikes with mixed components
homerjay
Posts: 154
why cant you buy bikes with complete groupsets.
it really alloys me when manufactures mix and match components, so you have to analyse every little detail to ensure your getting the bets VFM.
all i want is a light, strong frame, a full LX or XT groupset, matching post/stem/bars and decent set of forks/wheels
is this so much to ask?
is was so much easier back when the only options were DX, LX, XT or XTR and then pace, manitou or rock shox...
in fact the biggest decision was whether you wanted anodised red/gold/purple or blue!
sorry, rant over.
it really alloys me when manufactures mix and match components, so you have to analyse every little detail to ensure your getting the bets VFM.
all i want is a light, strong frame, a full LX or XT groupset, matching post/stem/bars and decent set of forks/wheels
is this so much to ask?
is was so much easier back when the only options were DX, LX, XT or XTR and then pace, manitou or rock shox...
in fact the biggest decision was whether you wanted anodised red/gold/purple or blue!
sorry, rant over.
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But surely spending hours pouring over spec lists on websites, telling your girfriend what's a good deal and looking for reviews is one of the best things about buying new kit?
It certainly is for me.
I spend half my life staring into a 22" widescreen monitor drooling over images of a Yeti Seven, or an Ellsworth Moment, or a Morewood Izumi, etc etc etc, working out what kit I'd have and in which colour.
Joe.0 -
Am with Joe-Pineapples here...
...my wife "loves" me telling her how one part is better than another and how I may be able to get a deal on this bit, and may have to pay more for that.
Am sure the glazed look she has on her face is one of pure admiration for me and my highly interesting topics of conversation!
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homerjay wrote:.
it really alloys me when manufactures mix and match components, so you have to analyse every little detail to ensure your getting the bets VFM.
I think you're hit it on the head there. With so much competition in the market it doesn't pay for them to make it easy to compare and contrast. There are certain things that people look at when they're choosing bikes and things people don't. So savings can be made.
When I've looking, the obvious ones after choosing a bike is Forks and Brakes, then maybe rear shock and rims, and lastly shifters and rear derailer. I don't recall ever getting right in the frame to see what front derailer it has. I hardly never look at hubs, which is odd because I'm right fussy on them when I'm buying upgrades.
I know lots of people seem to just look at the rear derailer, that’s probably why it’s usually the highest spec bit on a off-the-shelf bike.0 -
Yeah I would say forks / crankset / rear mech are the most obvious bits you see when looking at bikes in the shop etc - as they stand out the most.
Have you looked at getting a custom build?0 -
my last two bikes have been custom builds.
funnily im not even (seriously) looking at buying a new bike.
but temptation is growing................0 -
Haha let it grow - you know you want a new bike!
I bought my bike as I had to buy a whole bike (cycle2work scheme) but have since swapped parts and sold on the old bits - still saved money over the retail price of the bike (due to the tax savings) and have a higher specced bike now.
If I had been able to have done a custom build it may have been a different story...
My specialized as most of them in the range seem to have similar components all through - the worst cost saving I think is the use of an HG50 cassette - even on their high high spec bikes (carbon stumpy etc). Think this is because they last long though.0 -
I suppose it lets you get value for money where you need it - if you get to choose.
For example - personally I've always found top of the line front derailleurs to be a little pointless. I'd rather have an entry level front changer coupled with a top line rear changer than have mid-range for both for the same money.You only need two tools: WD40 and Duck Tape.
If it doesn't move and should, use the WD40.
If it shouldn't move and does, use the tape.0 -
I agree with with Daz here. While many manufacturers play the rear mech flashy game, and very few spec a total full groupset, I think cheery picking can get you the best value. Especially front mechs.
If I had a medium budget for an XC bike I would get SLX shifters, SLX rear mech, Deore front mech, XT cassette, SRAM chain and if I could find one, an old LX octalink BB and crank.0 -
I'd just tick the box that says 'SLX Everywhere!'0
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Joe_Pineapples wrote:I'd just tick the box that says 'SLX Everywhere!'
easier said than done. (when not custom building)
challenge: find a bike with total SLX0 -
I meant if it was a custom build.
As for off the shelf bikes, well to be honest has anyone ever felt an LX front mech was particularly poor compared to an XT one, for example?
They all work pretty well.0 -
I've found the xt mechs work a lot lot better than the alivio ones with the same shifters.0
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Bike manufacturers always get their priorities wrong.
They seem to spec flash mechs and brakes and compromise on wheels and forks.
I`d rather have a mid range hardtail with decent forks and proper Shimano hubs/Mavic rims,but basic Deore brakes ,mechs and drivetrain than one with compromised forks,unbranded hubs but that ,happened to have an XT mech.
If I could only choose one groupset to use throughout a bike build the current SLX groupset seems a no brainer.Every component in the set seems up to the mark,and makes you wonder if you really need any better.2006 Giant XTC
2010 Giant Defy Advanced
2016 Boardman Pro 29er
2016 Pinnacle Lithium 4
2017 Canondale Supersix Evo0 -
Yes, I would love to spec budget bikes. At 4-500 quid I would have no qualms in Altus drivetrain, and fitting a top quality fork, with decent hubs and tyres. these make a bigger difference off road.0
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I never worry too much about the front mech. Although the rear has a bit of trick to it the front is essentially brute force metal plate on chain.
The flashy rear mech as a sign of how good a bike is has been going a long time - I know that's how we used to spot the "cool bikes" when I was in my early teens.0 -
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It doesn't have SLX brakes :twisted:
Very nice bike though.0 -
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It had to be a Zaskar!
One of each please. 0 -
The Carbon Pro last year had an interesting spec - full XT with XTR shifters. Better than XTR mech and XT shifters IMHO.0
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Doesn't have SLX hubs :twisted: :twisted:
Yeah, I'm grabbing at straws...0 -
We ought to have build a £600 bike challenge.Choose an ht frame,and then see what blend of componrnts you would spec if you only had £600! 2006 Giant XTC
2010 Giant Defy Advanced
2016 Boardman Pro 29er
2016 Pinnacle Lithium 4
2017 Canondale Supersix Evo0 -
Nice idea, when do I get my £600?
Start a new thread fella with your creation.0 -
I had a crack at this a few weeks ago, at 500 quid:
Dirty Jo Semi Creme Frame, £75
http://www.dirtyjobikes.co.uk/Frames/Di ... emi_Creme_
Deore groupset with wheels and brakes, £230
http://www.merlincycles.co.uk/?fn=produ ... egoryId=83
Recon 327 120mm fork, £110
http://www.merlincycles.co.uk/?fn=produ ... egoryId=18
Husselfelt bar and stem, £20
http://www.merlincycles.co.uk/?fn=produ ... egoryId=74
Brand X seatpost and saddle, £15, £8
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Mode ... odelID=584
STS Aheadset £8
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Mode ... elID=27930
Conti Mountain king £25
Grips, tubes £10
V8 copies £10
About 500 quid? Would build into a tough, longish travel HT. Got to add postage, but often get 10% off deals, and probably missed a couple of things (seat collar, rim tape...), But still, be a fun way of getting a 500 quid bike!
Dunno if all bits still in stock - I'll have a go at 600 quid if I get bored later on lol.0 -
supersonic wrote:I had a crack at this a few weeks ago, at 500 quid:
Dirty Jo Semi Creme Frame, £75
http://www.dirtyjobikes.co.uk/Frames/Di ... emi_Creme_
Deore groupset with wheels and brakes, £230
http://www.merlincycles.co.uk/?fn=produ ... egoryId=83
Recon 327 120mm fork, £110
http://www.merlincycles.co.uk/?fn=produ ... egoryId=18
Husselfelt bar and stem, £20
http://www.merlincycles.co.uk/?fn=produ ... egoryId=74
Brand X seatpost and saddle, £15, £8
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Mode ... odelID=584
STS Aheadset £8
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Mode ... elID=27930
Conti Mountain king £25
Grips, tubes £10
V8 copies £10
About 500 quid? Would build into a tough, longish travel HT. Got to add postage, but often get 10% off deals, and probably missed a couple of things (seat collar, rim tape...), But still, be a fun way of getting a 500 quid bike!
Dunno if all bits still in stock - I'll have a go at 600 quid if I get bored later on lol.
good effort, although those forks are £150?0 -
Ach, the prices have changed, were 110 back then, a steal!0
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