Is it worth swapping?

Sodfoster

Need some advice, just ordered a Saracen Zen 3 (2010) which has cost £750. I think that this is an amazing bit of kit for the price the components are quality on paper. See link: http://www.thebikelist.co.uk/saracen/zen-3-2010.

Here is my dilemma, before buy the Zen 3 my plan was to build up an On-One 465 from scratch. Now I'm thinking that maybe I could still do that by using the Zen 3 as a donor bike. Basically buying the On-One frame for £169 and swapping it with the Zen 3 frame. This would basically end up costing me £919 minus whatever I get for the Zen 3 frame. Looking at the kit I'd be taking from the Zen 3 I think this would be a stunning build (anyone agree/disagree?)

My only concern is in all honestly I know bugger all about frames. Would this actually be an upgrade or down grade?? or is it just a case of I would own an On-One instead of a Saracen?

Any comments or ideas would be helpful also alternate frames although I wanna keep this under 1k.

Dawes Tamark DX (RIP)

Cube Acid

Andy B

Do you need to start another thread asking the same thing again?

sheepsteeth

either way, i wouldnt consider the 456 an upgrade from anything.

Sodfoster

Andy B wrote:

Do you need to start another thread asking the same thing again?

Decided it was in the wrong area.

Sheepsteeth: Do you not rate the 465? How come?

Anonymous

Because he bought one and realised it was cheap crap.

sheepsteeth

yeehaamcgee wrote:

Because he bought one and realised it was cheap crap.

this is true.

as it happens, i quite enjoyed riding it but i built it up after not having a hardtail in the first place as an experiment to see what i would think about it as at the time there were so many people waxing lyrical about them. so i thought, i might try a piece of the action.

there is a solid reason why those bike frames are cheap, they are cheaply made (in my opinion)

for months loads of people were "upgrading" their bikes with those frames, a habit which seems to have tailed off.

the zen will be a nicer made and lighter frame.

Sodfoster

mmmm interesting, the way most peeps go on about the 456's you would think they are the dog bollocks! I thought they were quiet well regarded, never heard about them being cheap crap.

Anonymous

Seems like there's a disproportionate amount of forum users with 456s, that's for sure. Hardly ever see them out in the wild though so the forum isn't all that representative.

sheepsteeth

also, dont forget that most people wont speak ill of something they have spent money on for fear of looking like idiots

Anonymous

Here's another forum connundrum for you. There's a lot of peeps on here recommending Canyon bikes recently despite none of them having seen one in the flesh, or, more importantly, ridden one.
Basically, this place is full of blowhards who want you to buy what they'd buy, and the only voices of reason are me, sheepsteeth, and supersonic

Sodfoster

yeehaamcgee wrote:

Here's another forum connundrum for you. There's a lot of peeps on here recommending Canyon bikes recently despite none of them having seen one in the flesh, or, more importantly, ridden one.
Basically, this place is full of blowhards who want you to buy what they'd buy, and the only voices of reason are me, sheepsteeth, and supersonic

Really!?? The canyon bikes look excellent value for money when you consider the spec. How they ride only time will tell but they are certainly worth a look at that price plus they look great! As for the 465 dilemma I guess really I should just give the zen 3 frame some love and see how I get on with it! Sheep teeth you selling the frame you bought?

Sodfoster

Actually forgot to add I was also contenplating the ragley blue pig. I believe they may be better that the 456's

supersonic

There is nothing unique about the 456 geo: it is 'optimised' for about a 5 inch fork, warrantied for 6, and works ok with 4. Most if not all frames work exactly the same, ie an inch of travel either way of some nominal optimum. Decent value for a fully butted cromo frame, especially compared to the p7, but not an upgrade from the zen: is a sidestep. And a heavier one too. I would only ever get one for a budget thrasher.

Gibbo GTI

yeehaamcgee wrote:

Here's another forum connundrum for you. There's a lot of peeps on here recommending Canyon bikes recently despite none of them having seen one in the flesh, or, more importantly, ridden one.
Basically, this place is full of blowhards who want you to buy what they'd buy, and the only voices of reason are me, sheepsteeth, and supersonic

If that is the case, what is your view of the 2010 GT Force Carbon Expert? I can't help but get stirring in my lower region when I look at that bike. With prices dropping with in being last seasons model, it is becoming even more attractive.

Sodfoster

Cheers Supersonic, as usual a well informed and concise opinion (I should just send you a pm everytime I have a question ).

So basically the only purpose for swapping the frame of the Zen 3 to a 465 would be purely superficial (I must admit I love the brown colour)? How about investing in a Ragley blue pig or Sanderson life frame would that a be considered an worthwhile upgrade or again just side step?

Johnny Napalm

I have a 456 Summer Season, which was a budget build last year, and it's good for what it is. I've ridden it a few times, but it's actually my wife's bike.

I have an Inbred, which is a SS build, and I think it is great bike to ride for that particular application, which I do use regularly. They're not the most amazing frames in the world, but I think you get what you pay for. If I were to eventually sell the Inbred, and build something else, then I'd look at trying something different to see what else is out there.

Northwind

Sodfoster, they're frames that do a pretty similiar job but not identical, they'll each have their own character. Just bear in mind something doesn't have to be an upgrade to be worthwhile, I downgraded from my Cotic Soul- one of the best rated hardtails there is- to my Mmmbop- a cheap alu ragger's frame- because even though it's a less good bit of kit on paper it gives me what I wanted from a frame at the time.

But, try the Zen first, it's probably good.

Sodfoster

Cheers Northwind BTW saw this on fee bay incase you havent seen it: http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Ragley-TD-1-Titan ... 500wt_1156

getonyourbike

Sodfoster wrote:

Cheers Northwind BTW saw this on fee bay incase you havent seen it: http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Ragley-TD-1-Titan ... 500wt_1156

the TD:1 is a 29er and its a 20" frame, not exactly what Northwind was looking for.

Northwind

That TD1's been mocking me every time I search for Ragley on Ebay for months Cheers tho