First time MTB for my fiance, strictly budget bike

mac_man

Russboy wrote:

As much as I hate to say it Halfords are looking favourite:

http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stor ... yId_165499

No idea on what size still though. Not fussed is its a ladies bike or a mens as shes tall(ish) and had long legs

That bike weighs 37lbs. Not sure your fiancee would appreciate huffing that around a trail.

A decent 2nd hand proper bike is better bet than an Apollo. Plus... if you do have to sell it on you won't lose as much money as it's already depreciated by a lot.

A year old £300 bike is going to be worth around £150.

Beardface

Russboy, I feel your pain.. I've been looking to geta bike for my other half too, but am failing miserably for what I want, for the price I want.. but, I'm lucky that I'm in no hurry!

Anyway, reading through this, I'd seriously try to avoid the apollo/trax etc, lower end bikes.. if you can. As people say, they are the kind of bikes that won't motivate people to ride.. the suspension is more for looks than practicality, and the bike will be heavy, and more than likely, go wrong quite quickly. (Sorry, but I'm being honest)

You said 2nd hand.. something like the bike below would be a lot more suitable, would quite possibly fit your lady and has upgrade potential.. GT frames are nice, strong and built to last.. you could also try offering a bit less than he's asking for.. could get yourself a good deal (work in a postage price with the sale or something).

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/GT-Avalanche-3-0- ... 23041c2241

Hope that helps somehow, good luck

bails87

Do NOT buy that Apollo. I know it might seem like we're being 'snobby', but that really isn't the case.

Basically, at this kind of budget, any 'bells and whistles' are there to impress teenagers buying bikes to look cool. Suspension, cable disc brakes etc are all heavy, and useless.

You want something fully rigid, or with just front suspension, and V brakes. Simple, light, fun to ride.

Something like this could be got fairly cheap second hand I'm sure.

And as for that Apollo being worth £400....

Previous prices
Please note, this product was previously on sale at

£409.99 between 29/10/09 and 29/10/09 inclusive

elcani

That Carrera Subway looks pretty good. There's on on eBay that looks in very good nick for £150 Buy it Now:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Carrera-Subway-1- ... 2c5221c857

Or (and I realise this is more than you wanted to spend, but I think it's well worth it), CRC have a GT Aggressor in stock in small for £240.

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Mode ... elID=43251

Come on, we are helping you out here, so don't buy the Apollo!

Cheers

EDIT: Just seen the link two posts above for the GT Avalanche 3.0 on eBay. Don't know where you are but if you can't collect then I'd ask if you could arrange a courier, because it looks a nice bike - I'd estimate 457% better than the Apollo.

hoathy

don't buy a cheap full sus. its the worst thing in the whole world.

check out the probike escape. its a rigid bike for £99 and some proper local bike shops sell them so you'll get it set up properly and get decent aftersales service. We used to sell them when i worked at the bike shed in exeter.

deffler

I bought my fiance an Apollo from Halfords for £80, they reckoned it was reduced from £200. At the time my knowledge of bikes was non-existant.

She went out on it once, we went on an easy, flat ride & she hated every single second of it. I couldnt understand why she was whinging, I thought it was jus cos she was a unfit lightweight.

Fact is I now know the bike is cr@p, weighs a ton & a total waste of money.

Its now in the shed where its been for the past year & a half gathering dust.

You have been warned

russboy

Ok Apollo is def off the list (promise), as are full suspension bikes

bails87

Have a look for a Carrera Vulcan or Kraken on eBay. That or one of the Subways. Those are the kind of bikes you need, and will probably be cheaper than one from a "better" brand.

russboy

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll? ... 0356211652

Opinions? Cant find out a lot about it on the net

mac_man

Russboy wrote:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=190356211652

Opinions? Cant find out a lot about it on the net

I wouldn't give £125 for it that's for sure. It looks an old bike to me.

Beardface

It's quite old, about '94-'97 ish era... but, looks in good condition!

Not bad at all, I quite like it, it has vintage charm..

russboy

Yeah now had a nose about a bit more and one sold on ebay for £70, and when you supersize the pics, does look really old.

The quest goes on I suspect

russboy

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll? ... 2759.l1259

Liking this, but think its going to be above my budget, description is perfect for her and its only a few miles from my house, damn you ebay, lol!

mac_man

Now THAT's more like it.

Most likely fetch £200 or more I would hazard, as it's a good spec. But maybe give him/her a call and say you can pay cash today. :-)

russboy

mac man wrote:

Now THAT's more like it.

Most likely fetch £200 or more I would hazard, as it's a good spec. But maybe give him/her a call and say you can pay cash today. :-)

One step ahead of you

Suspect they'll let the auction run though as stated on a question on there, meaning robbing ebay will nick 10% of the final value fee

hoathy

pretty harsh on ebay, i think they do a pretty good job. they have revolutionalised the way we buy and sell. its pretty incredible when you think about it.

bike is nice, but the reseve isn't met...

russboy

Hoathy wrote:

pretty harsh on ebay, i think they do a pretty good job. they have revolutionalised the way we buy and sell. its pretty incredible when you think about it.

bike is nice, but the reseve isn't met...

don't get me wrong, eBay is great but recently they just whacked their percentage up to 10% on the final value fee, a lot in my opinion when you pay to list in the first place

elcani

Hard to say. Looks in good condition but seems a pretty old bike (pre-2000?). For £125 I'd want it to be mechanically mint and round the corner from me. Posting a thread on www.retrobike.co.uk might allow you to find out more.

EDIT: somehow missed all the earlier posts saying what I just said...

hoathy

ElCani wrote:

Hard to say. Looks in good condition but seems a pretty old bike (pre-2000?). For £125 I'd want it to be mechanically mint and round the corner from me. Posting a thread on www.retrobike.co.uk might allow you to find out more.

EDIT: somehow missed all the earlier posts saying what I just said...

are you talking about the trek or the gt? not really important now as they both ended. just wondering.

elcani

The Trek.

The GT is nice. I have a 2009 Avalanche 1.0 Disc. As it didn't meet the reserve and you are round the corner I'd contact the seller and see if there's a cash deal to be done. If you could stretch to £170 (worth it IMHO) they might sell to save eBay fees on a future sale.

hoathy

pleaty of perfectly decent bikes go on ebay for under 100quid every day, its just a matter of finding one thats the right size; and being prepared to give it a damn good service.

elcani

pleaty of perfectly decent bikes go on ebay for under 100quid every day, its just a matter of finding one thats the right size; and being prepared to give it a damn good service.

Totally agree with that, but the the fact that the OP as looking to buy new at around £100 suggests he may not have the knowhow to fully service a used bike - so mechanical condition might be more important.

russboy

ElCani wrote:

pleaty of perfectly decent bikes go on ebay for under 100quid every day, its just a matter of finding one thats the right size; and being prepared to give it a damn good service.

Totally agree with that, but the the fact that the OP as looking to buy new at around £100 suggests he may not have the knowhow to fully service a used bike - so mechanical condition might be more important.

Used to build and rebuild my bikes as a kid (sometime back now!!) plus do all the work on my cars, and just built my own house so mechanical set up isnt really a prob.

Def not up for a new bike at £100 as well, they're all shit!

I was the highest bidder at £170 for the GT but alas didnt go above the reserve, prob just as well as I shouldnt really be spending that much, shed kill me!

elcani

In that case you'll have no problem sorting out an under-£100 eBay bike. Might need to budget for new chain/cables/brake pads and the like.

Good luck and let us know how you get on.

russboy

The fella with the GT has been in touch, he wanted £200, but said he'll let it go for £185, not sure what to do, bit more than I intended to spend, although there is no postage to consider where I'd spend £30 on most bikes on eBay on that

mac_man

Russboy wrote:

The fella with the GT has been in touch, he wanted £200, but said he'll let it go for £185, not sure what to do, bit more than I intended to spend, although there is no postage to consider where I'd spend £30 on most bikes on eBay on that

I reckon you'll struggle to get better for anything like that sort of money.

These are £399 on paul's cycles. Assuming it's mint.... go for it.

If worst comes to worst and you have to sell you won't lose much on it.

I'd push for £175.... as it is 3 years old.

elcani

I would caution that if the most serious off-roading your fiance is going to do is the the odd muddy path and the rest of her riding will be on roads, she would be better off with a fully-rigid bike (lighter, faster). However, if you think can coax her onto to the proper rough-stuff then get the GT!

reckless_rat

Take a look at cycling club forums they look after there bikes and will sell them cheap if well used dosnt mean its crap or knackard though

russboy

Prob solved (finally!!)

Just picked this up locally for £130 with a set of Cannondale pedals thrown in, will give it a clean up tomorrow and put a pic or two up

camerauk

what did you get then?