Yet another thread about what bike to buy!

dataapp

Hi all,

Just registered. Have spent far too much time looking around this great forum over the last couple of days trying to find out info about which bike to buy, so any advice would be gratefully received, as like many others I am now even more confused.

The one thing I have really picked up is how a bike feels.

I have visited numerous bike shops in the last couple of weeks with no luck. Did not like, and was not comfortable on the Saracen trace 2 or any of the Specialized rockhoppers, Comp or expert, or a Cannondale

Yesterday stumbled into a bike shop and found an new 08 P7S, loved the bike, was really comfortable. (Came close bought it there and then), Logic making me think about it a little bit more. The thing I am wondering now is do I get this or do a 200 mile round trip to my nearest Cube dealer? Are they worth it, and are they good bikes

I haven't tried one but I am very impressed with the spec of the Acid and the LTD Comp 09. They are in the same price bracket as the P7

The key thing for me at the moment is the fact that the P7 has a steel frame. I live by the coast and salt air gets into everything, the slightest chip or paint crack and rust will set in,


Hope you can give me some pointers or reviews on Cube and Orange or more advice in general.

Thanks

Andy

supersonic

If you like the P7, I'd get it! Simple as that. I would not worry about the sea air, it is the same for all bikes, and a decent maintenance regime will work wonders. Alu frames possibly more 'at sea' to salt anyway!

But if in doubt try some more out for your riding style and budget. If you like a steel P7, try a Genesis.

Eranu

Go and try the Cube, great bikes. You've lost nothing by going and trying them the P7 will still be there if you don't like it

llamafarmer

Salt corrodes everything! Your bike will probably spend most of its life indoors anyway, so don't let that put you off a bike you love!

dataapp

Thanks for the advice Supersonic. Will look at the Genesis, nice looking bikes. Nice review on What Hardtail 2009

Will make the trip to see the cube. If I don't like, it only petrol wasted

Llamafarmer, you are probably right about about the bike being indoors, I am more a fairer weather rider and if this year is anything like last summer then it will be inside

rockhopper09

dataapp wrote:

Hi all,

Just registered. Have spent far too much time looking around this great forum over the last couple of days trying to find out info about which bike to buy, so any advice would be gratefully received, as like many others I am now even more confused.

The one thing I have really picked up is how a bike feels.

I have visited numerous bike shops in the last couple of weeks with no luck. Did not like, and was not comfortable on the Saracen trace 2 or any of the Specialized rockhoppers, Comp or expert, or a Cannondale

Yesterday stumbled into a bike shop and found an new 08 P7S, loved the bike, was really comfortable. (Came close bought it there and then), Logic making me think about it a little bit more. The thing I am wondering now is do I get this or do a 200 mile round trip to my nearest Cube dealer? Are they worth it, and are they good bikes

I haven't tried one but I am very impressed with the spec of the Acid and the LTD Comp 09. They are in the same price bracket as the P7

The key thing for me at the moment is the fact that the P7 has a steel frame. I live by the coast and salt air gets into everything, the slightest chip or paint crack and rust will set in,


Hope you can give me some pointers or reviews on Cube and Orange or more advice in general.

Thanks
Andy

I`ve just bought a Rockhopper disc 08 for £499,
better spec and componets than this year

FRAME M4 manipulated alloy frame, butted ORE DT, forged dropouts w/ replaceable 98954020 alloy hanger, disc only

REAR SHOCK N/A

FORK RockShox Tora 302 SL, 100mm, 32mm Cr-Mo stanchions and alloy steerer, Mag lower, coil spring, preload adj., LO w/ reb. adj.

HEADSET 1 1/8" threadless

STEM Specialized 3D forged alloy w/ graphic, four bolt clamp, 7 degree rise

HANDLEBARS Specialized alloy butted 31.8mm XC rise w/ graphic, 640mm wide, 8 degree back, 8 degree up sweep

GRIPS Specialized Enduro, dual density Kraton

FRONT BRAKE Avid Juicy 3 SL, hydraulic, 6" G2 Clean sweep rotor

REAR BRAKE Avid Juicy 3 SL, hydraulic, 6" G2 Clean Sweep rotor

BRAKE LEVERS Avid Juicy 3 SL, hydraulic

FRONT DERAILLEUR Shimano Deore FD-M530, 34.9mm clamp

REAR DERAILLEUR Shimano LX RD-M581, SGS cage

SHIFT LEVERS Shimano Deore SL-M530 trigger

CASSETTE Shimano HG-50, 9-speed, 11-34t

CHAIN KMC X9, 1/2" x 3/32" w/ reusable Missing Link

CRANKSET Shimano FC-M442-8, replaceable rings w/ alloy outer, Octalink Spline

CHAINRINGS 44A/32S/22S

BOTTOM BRACKET Shimano BB-ES25, Octalink spline, cartridge bearing, 68 x 118mm for 50mm chainline

PEDALS Specialized alloy 1pc body and cage, 9/16"

RIMS Specialized/Alex RHD 26, double wall, eyelets, for disc brakes

FRONT HUB Specialized Hi Lo disc, 28h, CNC flange and disc mount, polished races, alloy QR

REAR HUB Specialized Hi Lo disc, cassette, 32h, CNC flanges and disc mount, polished races, alloy QR

SPOKES 1.8mm (15g) stainless, alloy nipples, black

FRONT TYRES Specialized Fast Trak LK Sport, 26x2.0", 60TPI, wire bead

REAR TYRES Specialized Fast Trak LK Sport, 26x2.0", 60TPI, wire bead

TUBES Specialized schraeder valve

SADDLE Specialized Indie XC, 143mm width

SEAT POST Specialized butted alloy, two bolt micro adjust head, 30.9mm

SEAT BINDER Specialized alloy w/ QR, brass washer

NOTES Chain stay protector, reflectors, clear coat, owners manual





Hope this Help...

I believe i made good choice in my rockhopper

dataapp

Hi Rockhopper 09

Congrats on your purchase, hope you enjoy it. For me I just didn't find them very comfortable. Tried both an 08 and the 09 models in 17 and 19", even a £2000 full suspension (not what I was looking for and a hell of alot more than I would ever pay!).

Whilst I know alot of people have them and praise them highly. If I had bought it, I would have had to immediately spend even more money on it to get it to how I wanted it just to be comfortable. A £700 - £900 pound I expect the bike to be comfortable straight out of the box. That's why I liked the Orange, it was just a great fit for me.

Anyways, going to see some Cube's on Friday also timed in a trip to the Genesis dealer on the way back.

Any more suggestions of other makes I should look at would be more than welcome.

Andy

supersonic

Comfort and stiffness - more expense does not mean more comfort, as many XC style bikes are built stiff for maximum power transfer.

However steel frames are usually built with a bit of give in them.

dataapp

Sorry Supersonic, missed your post the other day.

Took the trip on Friday saw both Genesis and Cube. Unfortunately didn't have Genesis in my size but was impressed by the quality of the bike. However, Cube won the day. Tested both the Acid and LTD Team and came away with a huge smile on my face. Decision now is which model to go for. Pros and Cons for each bike in terms of spec.

dataapp

Long story, but work has taken me abroad for the last 12 1/2 weeks. Never got the chance to buy the Cube. Doesn't look as well priced now as it was.

Was wondering peoples opinions on the Merlin Malt 4 and the Rock Lobster Tig Team SL with Reba Team and XT group. Had considered a Whyte 905 but there seems to be very little stock about.

I have decided to push the boat out somewhat as I will be in the S. France working until about October time, so will be using it for commuting everyday, as well as some really good trail riding when time allows.

All advice appreciated

Andy