New bike from halfords only (cycle2work scheme) about £200

supersonic

I think you are thinking abpout it too much. You obviously do not need the Saracen Mantra for your riding - far too heavy.

It leaves the Vulcan and the DB - I'd go and sit on them and get what feels best.

You can always change to gripshift at a later date.

Kiblams

I will sell you two gripshifters I have spare fornext to nothing if you realy want some that bad, shouldn't be difficult to put them on your bike. They are only 6 or 7 speed mind...

Northwind

MrMister111 wrote:

I knew when I posted that this forum was for serious bikers of which I am not, and that is why i want sure to post.

I did want advice, and I knew it would be, no buy a £500 not a cheapo, I do understand this, but what i was wanting was some appreciation on what I want it for.

As you say above this is what I will be using it for! Just down some paths, around the doors, picking kids up from school, riding on normal roads down to the beach.

Which is why you don't need suspension! It'll only be extra weight, complexity and inconvenience.

alfablue

Northwind wrote:

MrMister111 wrote:

I knew when I posted that this forum was for serious bikers of which I am not, and that is why i want sure to post.

I did want advice, and I knew it would be, no buy a £500 not a cheapo, I do understand this, but what i was wanting was some appreciation on what I want it for.

As you say above this is what I will be using it for! Just down some paths, around the doors, picking kids up from school, riding on normal roads down to the beach.

Which is why you don't need suspension! It'll only be extra weight, complexity and inconvenience.

MrMister - we were suggesting spending £270 not £500, on a Subway. I think the issue is that we do appreciate what you want the bike for ("Just down some paths, around the doors, picking kids up from school, riding on normal roads down to the beach."), and the advice you have had reflects that appreciation, hence the no suspension, hybrid recommendation. However you don't seem to appreciate that what you are craving (flashy looking cheap mtb with suspect front suspension) is not suited to your stated use. Yes, it will do, but it is not the best option, and you are making unnecessary compromises. We can but try

MrMister111

He he. Thanks guys. In my limited experience I think front sus will give me a smoother more comfortable ride, or is this me being completely silly. Anyways...

Northwind

Nah, front suspension really makes no real diffence on the road, it's only over rocks, roots etc or when jumping off stuff that it makes a difference. M

MrMister111

Northwind wrote:

Nah, front suspension really makes no real diffence on the road, it's only over rocks, roots etc or when jumping off stuff that it makes a difference. M

But what about when on the roads, with the bumps/pot holes/kerbs/grass verges etc, that is the reason I chose it, I thought it would help with this?

Northwind

On a pushbike you should be riding around potholes and speedbumps etc, you're only narrow so it's not like a car. It can be nice with kerbs but it's a drag the whole rest of the time. There's a reason most serious hybrids and road bikes don't have suspension...

My road bike's an old 90s fully rigid steel carrera which i got when I was in high school (I wanted an Activator ) and it's just spot on, it cost me £60 in new parts and £10 for 2 tins of hammerite to resurrect it and to stick slick tyres on, and now it's a perfectly good road bike- better at it than my mountain bike, which cost over a grand. It's just having the right tool for the right job.

But I mean, suspension on a road bike isn't totally a terrible idea, but it all comes out fo the same budget, and it's money that you'll get better results from elsewhere- better gears, better brakes, lighter weight, all that. You're paying extra for something that's just not great to have.

MrMister111

yeah I understand your comments, thanks

I just think the sus will be better for road work, as your forever, dodging through traffic, and getting shortcuts through the traffic lights by going on the pavements/grass etc, so just though it would help there, I also didn't mean I would drive through pot holes, but a lot of the road is potholes at the moment!

wow your saying my activator (now hey its an activator 2 btw!!) is cool then!

also if I get this diamnodback, I'll have at least £50 for accessories, so what do I spend it on? helmets a must i think, lock (which one) and anything else I'll need?

cheers

Northwind

Well, all sorts of things were cool when I was in high school Nike Air Jordans. Carter the Unstoppable Sex Machine... The mad thing is my bike was miles better at everything, but I was still dead jealous of anyone who had an activator

MrMister111

he he he, I remember all them!! I didnt realise that the activator was cool though! I remember it being the 1st bike to have front and rear "suspension" though is that right!?!

supersonic

First mainstream I do believe!

A shop I used to wrok for were selling them at 179 quid in 1998. Seemed so good back than!

supermonkey

I must admit I find this thread mildly annoying. I know I shouldn't but I can't help it.

MrMister111

SuperMonkey wrote:

I must admit I find this thread mildly annoying. I know I shouldn't but I can't help it.

Whys that? if its annoying, dont post or read - simple?? :?

supertwisted

This is the third time I've tried to write this reply due to my machine locking up, so this is the abridged version as I can't be @rsed to write it all again...

Was in Halfords yesterday so took a look at the Diamondback and the Saracen.

Saracen:
Fork was budget spec, but reasonably damped. Slightly reluctent to move through it's travel but would probably loosen up with use.
Brakes seemed decent, if budget affairs. Both disc and v-brake were Tektro, looked and felt like they'd do the job for basic riding.
The frame looked very good for the price, albeit more geared towards hardcore trail riding.
Bike was quite heavy, but from what I've read a lot of the weight is in the wheels and tyres rather than the frame.

Diamondback:
Fork was quite poor, undamped pogo stick. Presumably an elastomer spring in a tube.
Front disc was dreadfull, with no feel and the disc rotor itself flexed and bent as the calliper gripped it.
The bike as a whole looked and felt very cheap and poorly constructed.
Weight wise is didn't actually feel any lighter than the Saracen from my admittedly basic examination.

Sorry I can't say anything more positive about the Diamondback, as it seems to be the one you want, but with only £40 seperating this and the cheapest Saracen I can't say anything in it's favour.

Toss a coin really - you'll prob be happy with either bike. I think you've heard all you need to by now on the relative merrits of each one.

Go to Halfords and test ride each one back to back. From what you've said it sounds like you've not had a test ride yet, so really that should be you biggest concern at the moment.

supermonkey

MrMister111 wrote:

Whys that?

Just actively asking people for advice, people giving their time to help and then ignoring all the advice. What was the problem earlier? Spending an extra £30 for a bike that was ideal for your intended use? You could have earned the extra £30 in the time spent disagreeing with the advice.

MrMister111 wrote:

if its annoying, dont post or read - simple?? :?

Problem is you don't know something will annoy you until after you've read it do you?

MrMister111

supertwisted wrote:

T
Was in Halfords yesterday so took a look at the Diamondback and the Saracen.

Saracen:
Fork was budget spec, but reasonably damped. Slightly reluctent to move through it's travel but would probably loosen up with use.
Brakes seemed decent, if budget affairs. Both disc and v-brake were Tektro, looked and felt like they'd do the job for basic riding.
The frame looked very good for the price, albeit more geared towards hardcore trail riding.
Bike was quite heavy, but from what I've read a lot of the weight is in the wheels and tyres rather than the frame.

Diamondback:
Fork was quite poor, undamped pogo stick. Presumably an elastomer spring in a tube.
Front disc was dreadfull, with no feel and the disc rotor itself flexed and bent as the calliper gripped it.
The bike as a whole looked and felt very cheap and poorly constructed.
Weight wise is didn't actually feel any lighter than the Saracen from my admittedly basic examination.

Sorry I can't say anything more positive about the Diamondback, as it seems to be the one you want, but with only £40 seperating this and the cheapest Saracen I can't say anything in it's favour.

Toss a coin really - you'll prob be happy with either bike. I think you've heard all you need to by now on the relative merrits of each one.

Go to Halfords and test ride each one back to back. From what you've said it sounds like you've not had a test ride yet, so really that should be you biggest concern at the moment.

Thanks for taking the time for having a look

I appreciate your views, so your saying both front sus were not very good mmm

i was hoping to not have a heavy bike tbh, so the diamondback was better in this instance (hurrah!!!). You say it looked cheap and poorly constructed, this is where I differ (but I'm no expert!!) I think it looks good, why do you say it looks poorly built? as in overall, or just the one in the shop?

Regarding the disc flexing, how did you find this out? just pulling it,and then trying to move the wheel? surely if it flexes and breaks I can get a free replacement?

I wont be able to test them, as they only had one in the shop and no sacacen anywhere near, so would never see one in the flesh until I bought it really.

If I get the Diamonback, is there anything I should do/get/tweak/upgrade straight away? again for my uses... I will have £60 to spend on accessories

cheers for looking again, did you see anything else in there, around £250?
thanks

supersonic

The Diamondback would need setting up and adjusting - but mechanical discs are designed to flex the rotor slightly. It is several pounds lighter than the saracen.

No sus is great on a bike of this price, then again you don't really need it - jmaybe a bit to take the sting out of rough surfaces, rather than perfromance off road.

Use your £60 to buy a helmet, some tools, oil, grease, cleaners and a maintenance book.

MrMister111

Is the BikeBut maintenance plan worth getting for 1 or 3 years? it seems to cover complete maintenance for the term and only have to buy parts (presume only buy parts after the 1st year?)

Anyone got one/had one - whats it like? worth it.

Also within the 1st year, if something breaks how does it go down as wear and tear or faulty? what are Halfords like in this respect?

cheers

supersonic

Depends if it is faulty, or is wear and tear! You have an obligation to maintain it and keep it clean. Crashes are not covered.

The service plan is good value.

MrMister111

ok I might get it then, £30 for 3 year, yearly checkup, and I suppose unlimited tightening of gears/brakes etc will it be?

supersonic

Free parts fitting, and a service. Not unlimited servicing (I think!)

YTpu need to learn the adjustments for yourself really hence getting a\ good book.

MrMister111

getting the bicycle repair book for dummies, is that ok, apt for me I think

people i other forums saying dont waste your money on plan...

supersonic

10 quid a year for free fitting of parts and a service sounds good to me!

MrMister111

Halfords this weekend (online it states anyway) have selected saracen 20% off, so the Vulcan Disc spec was £375, now £299. out of my reach now though as only getting £250 voucher and you can't add to it.

Was hoping maybe others have some money off, maybe doing this every week with a different type all the time

cheers

MrMister111

And this W/end is Carrera 20% off...

MrMister111

Voucher came yesterday, £250, cannot add to it, so my Diamondbackis ready this Thurs, unless change, only other options are Subway 1, or Sacarcen Mantra (seems heavy bike), Crossfire 1 or crossfire 2, or Vulcan V-Spec.

buying other than Diamondback would not leave me with anything for accessories though, so a helmet, pump, inner tube (although Asda had inners for £2), tools would be extra

mmm, suppose could phone up and cancel Diamondback and order an different one?
last comments off anyone?

seataltea

MrMister111 wrote:

last comments off anyone?

Make a decision, stick to it, be happy with it, live with it.

MrMister111

Carrara bikes are 1/3 off at mo. Can get the vulcan disc spec for £250. Thats £125 off. Trouble is pick my diamondback up tomorrow. Wondering if it is that massively better than my diamondback? And what I should do?

alfablue

Yes, as before, the DB is not recommended.

See this review of the Vulcan

http://www.bikeradar.com/gear/category/ ... ulcan-8984

then change your order