Help if you can???

Rattler
Rattler Posts: 14
edited February 2009 in MTB beginners
Hi,could anyone tell me if the Land Rover "Santiago"Mountain bike is ok for someone who just needs a bike for rides out with famly etc,or would i be better purchasing a Dawes 1.0 XC Mountain bike?????Need some advice as i dont want to pay the earth but need something of average build as the last bike i bought fell apart after a few rides,i got it from Halfords and the make was "Trax"bad quality..
hope someone can help with some good info on either of these bikes Land Rover Or Dawes.
Thanks.

Comments

  • robmanic1
    robmanic1 Posts: 2,150
    Hi Rattler, what's your budget?
    Pictures are better than words because some words are big and hard to understand.

    http://www.flickr.com/photos/34335188@N07/3336802663/
  • ride_whenever
    ride_whenever Posts: 13,279
    Whereabouts are you? Perhaps we could recommend a good bike shop...
    Neeermad
    Carbon 456
    456 lefty
    Pompino
    White Inbred
  • Rattler
    Rattler Posts: 14
    Budget is not a lot £160 max as i just want a good little runabout to go out with the daughter,so any advice on any good budget bikes would be cool
    Thanks.
  • robmanic1
    robmanic1 Posts: 2,150
    You may be better off looking on Ebay for your budget, have a trawl around this site and get familiar with the well known brands, whatever you do don't buy a Halfords £100 full suspension jobby, it'll weigh a tonne and fall apart after a week.
    Pictures are better than words because some words are big and hard to understand.

    http://www.flickr.com/photos/34335188@N07/3336802663/
  • ride_whenever
    ride_whenever Posts: 13,279
    Your best bet is to head into the best local bike shop (note best doesn't necessarily means stock the best bike porn) and see if they're trying to shift any 2008 stock cheaply, some realy bargains to be had.
    Neeermad
    Carbon 456
    456 lefty
    Pompino
    White Inbred
  • batch78
    batch78 Posts: 1,320
    When you say "fell apart", what do you mean exactly?

    Gears stopped shifting properly? This'll happen with ALL bikes and is caused by cable stretch.

    Brakes? Same as above.

    Wheels? Everything but very good quality mass produced or handbuilt wheels will undoudtedly need a true every now and then.

    Suspension? It'll all feel pretty poor until you spend ££'s on a fork. Unfortunately!

    I agree that Trax is not a good brand, Dawes are well established but Land Rover should be equally good, most lower end bikes get built in the same factory nowadays any way.

    Personally I think either should be adequate for your needs, make sure its set up properly and regularly cleaned, lubed and adjusted.

    Have fun, and ask us all when you need to know how to fix something! :D
  • Rattler
    Rattler Posts: 14
    When i say fell apart it was the Peddle shaft,it worked loose two or three times and i only rode it a few times,took it back and got a refund,i know it was cheap but expected a little more from it than that would be nice to find somehing thats not made in china but will i for a small budget?????
  • Banned!
    Banned! Posts: 34
    best to buy 2nd hand at that price. you can get a few ok bikes for the money but you can get a bike that cost around £600 new a few years back and has been ridden. it wont be shiny and new, but you will get quite a lot if bike of you can up the budget to maybe £200.
  • ride_whenever
    ride_whenever Posts: 13,279
    You should be able to get taiwan for your money :lol:


    TBH, whilst british frames are relatively cheaper because of the economic crash, you're still a fair bit short of a made in britan frame. However taiwan now make most of the frames for the entire bike industry and they are excellent.
    Neeermad
    Carbon 456
    456 lefty
    Pompino
    White Inbred
  • Yukon Lad
    Yukon Lad Posts: 423
    2nd hand or see if you can get an 08 deal on something like a specialized hardrock or a gt avalanche

    Yukon Lad
    Drop, Berm, Jump, Sky, Sky, Sky, Sweet Beautiful Earth OUCH, OUCH,OUCH, ****! GORSE BUSH!!!

    Giant Yukon FX2
    Kona Stab Deluxe 2008
  • coxy17
    coxy17 Posts: 401
    hi keep your eye on ebay a gt avalanche 3.0 disc 008 model went for 185 quid the other wk,ebay has to be your best bet,happy bidding.
  • coxy17
    coxy17 Posts: 401
    hi keep your eye on ebay a gt avalanche 3.0 disc 008 model went for 185 quid the other wk,ebay has to be your best bet,happy bidding.
  • Kiblams
    Kiblams Posts: 2,423
    I am a little bias on this one... I can't recomend the pinnacle source 1.0 myself the 2008 model sells for £175 from Evans and It has a customer designed British frame which is the same frame as the much more expensive Pinnacle bikes such as the Peak 4.0 which costs £450.

    The only major change that I had to do to the bike was change the suspension fork as I am 16.10 stone and the fork wasn't up to my weight. But if you weigh as much as a 'normal' person (10-13stone) you shouldn't have an issue.

    I guess all I can say is get down to your local evans and see what you think, for the price the build quality of the frame etc is fantastic. Anywho, enough of my pinnacle fanboy outburst.
    HandsomeDog - OrangeCommuter
  • deadliest
    deadliest Posts: 471
    Just browsing theinternet for a few models

    http://www.evanscycles.com/products/pin ... e-ec000917

    http://www.jejamescycles.co.uk/felt-q50 ... 40180.html

    A lot of the 2008 models are reduced so now is a good time to buy.

    http://www.jejamescycles.co.uk/giant-ro ... 38367.html

    http://www.wiggle.co.uk/p/Cycle/7/Focus ... 360032350/
    Bikes are drugs and Im pedalling

    http://sherwoodpines.yolasite.com/
  • deadliest
    deadliest Posts: 471
    Or sell the car

    http://www.evanscycles.com/products/sco ... e-ec016241
    Bikes are drugs and Im pedalling

    http://sherwoodpines.yolasite.com/
  • Niffleman
    Niffleman Posts: 87
    I would agree with suggestions of going for a second hand bike. If you look for a three or four year old bike from a well known manufacturer such as Specialized or GT then it should be well within your budget. You probably will have to sacrifice disc brakes, but for your purpose you may not need them anyway.

    The only problem can be that mountain bikes can lead a hard life, so you might want to have a good look at anything before you buy it, and if you are in any doubt then walk away. There are lots of other second hand bikes in the world.
  • batch78
    batch78 Posts: 1,320
    the Peddle shaft,it worked loose two or three times

    Pedal to crank, or, crank to bottom bracket (where it fits onto the frame)?

    Unfortunately bikes at this end of the price range will have square taper bottom brackets, and will have for a couple of hundred pounds more, once its loosened and you've ridden on it damage can be done, resulting in more wear and more loosening. Annoying.

    Pedals can come loose from cranks, just need tightening with a spanner, left hand pedal has a 'reverse', lefthand thread.

    Both of these need to be relatively tight, probably weren't tightened enough at point of sale, but should also be checked regularly before rides.

    I think you'll be pleasantly surprised with any of the suggestions made thus far, so long as its been checked correctly before you purchase/ride it!
  • Rattler
    Rattler Posts: 14
    Some really good ideas from everyone,thanks to everyone for the help shown,much appreciated.
  • mea00csf
    mea00csf Posts: 558
    to be honest, if your only doing bridleways/forest roads/tow paths with the family, i'd be tempted to get rid of the suspension fork and go with a rigid fork at that price point. The fork will be rubbish and heavy at the price your looking at. Would also make the bike more suitable for using around town if you wanted to

    I have a hybrid for commuting to work which i use for light offroad on the way home with no problems at all
    http://www.bicycletourist.weebly.com
  • KonaMike
    KonaMike Posts: 805
    mea00csf wrote:
    to be honest, if your only doing bridleways/forest roads/tow paths with the family, i'd be tempted to get rid of the suspension fork and go with a rigid fork at that price point. The fork will be rubbish and heavy at the price your looking at. Would also make the bike more suitable for using around town if you wanted to

    I have a hybrid for commuting to work which i use for light offroad on the way home with no problems at all

    Good point !! Back in the day we all rode bikes with rigid forks,both on and off road,I remember my Project II's on my LavaDome.....great days !!

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