Help me spend £450

iamcami

Hi there,

Looking to buy my first proper bike. I've cycled my whole life but never had a quality bike. The last few yrs i'v spent over £120 on the Trek 4300 that i bought for £100. It's a yr 2000 model i got 3-4 yrs ago but like i said i'v already spent more on it in the bike shops than is actually cost me. And now it needs some more work done.

So i'm looking to just move on and get another bike. Looking for advice/suggestions.

My limit is in the title. I strated at £300 but have pushed myself up to £450. This is what i'm looking at at the moment.
http://www.evanscycles.com/products/kon ... e-ec026534

dilemna

Welcome. Your first post.

You say you have cycled all your life and yet you are looking at a bike that isn't really a whole lot better than you already have .............. I would enrole on a bike maintenance course and learn to maintain your bike rather than wasting cash on bike shop repair bills.

If you want to use this bike or any bike you are looking at which has disc brakes to carry luggage which is what invariably people want to do 3 weeks after they bought their new bike, make sure you buy a bike which has disc brakes with the rear brake caplier INSIDE the rear triangle as it makes fitting a rear rack soooooooo much easier as with the rear caliper above the drop out you are f*cked basically if you want to fit a rack. Topeak do a supposedly disc Super Tourist DX rack but it is a bodge IMHO with a silly cast dog leg on the end of the rack leg that mounts to the frame which if subjected to sustained and some times strong vibration will snap just like a bolt packed out with spacers to clear the brake caliper.

Kona make good bikes though. I have a Kona Kula which is good. It's a similar colour scheme to your choice of Kona.

iamcami

dilemna wrote:

Welcome. Your first post.

You say you have cycled all your life and yet you are looking at a bike that isn't really a whole lot better than you already have .............. I would enrole on a bike maintenance course and learn to maintain your bike rather than wasting cash on bike shop repair bills.

If you want to use this bike or any bike you are looking at which has disc brakes to carry luggage which is what invariably people want to do 3 weeks after they bought their new bike, make sure you buy a bike which has disc brakes with the rear brake caplier INSIDE the rear triangle as it makes fitting a rear rack soooooooo much easier as with the rear caliper above the drop out you are f*cked basically if you want to fit a rack. Topeak do a supposedly disc Super Tourist DX rack but it is a bodge IMHO with a silly cast dog leg on the end of the rack leg that mounts to the frame which if subjected to sustained and some times strong vibration will snap just like a bolt packed out with spacers to clear the brake caliper.

Kona make good bikes though. I have a Kona Kula which is good. It's a similar colour scheme to your choice of Kona.

Thanks!

You are 100% correct. I need to greatly improve on my bike maintenance. I rarely even oil my chain or clean the thing never mind anything else.

I dont want a bike rack. If i carry anything, a rucksack is fine.

Is that bike really not much better than my 11yr old Trek 4300? I thought newer would mean better? Should i be looking at used bikes on ebay? Im worried about getting something that needs more work done than my current one.

Yes i'v cycled a lot throughout my life but have never really learned about bikes. I can cycle them good but wouldn't know a great bike from a crap one and wouldn't notice a fault until the pedals stopped moving the thing!

widge34

Hi WTTF. If you can stretch your budget just a little try this.
http://www.paulscycles.co.uk/products.p ... 1b0s2p2232

Better spec than the Kona.

Also. What type of riding will you be doing?

cat_with_no_tail

I'd not normally recommend spending over a set budget in one of these threads, but in this case, for an extra £50, you could get a Rockrider 8.1 which pretty much just destroys everything else around this price range (and a couple of hundred quid more too) in terms of value for money.

X7 Gears
Elixir3 brakes
Recon Fork
Deore Chainset
sub 13kg complete bike.

You should learn to maintain your bikes though. Buying a better bike usually means MORE maintainence, not less. Most jobs are easy to do and you can find instructions on here, or elsewhere on the internet.

felix.london

For that money I'd go second hand. I don't know why most people recommend buying new on this forum. For £450 you could be riding £1500 worth of bike that is ready to go. No bedding in, no taking it back to the shop to be tweaked etc (alright, no free 1st service) but who cares. Get some tools and do it yourself...

eBay - all the way!

widge34

felix.london wrote:

For that money I'd go second hand. I don't know why most people recommend buying new on this forum. For £450 you could be riding £1500 worth of bike that is ready to go. No bedding in, no taking it back to the shop to be tweaked etc (alright, no free 1st service) but who cares. Get some tools and do it yourself...

eBay - all the way!

He's already admitted hes not too clever with bike maintenance so second hand might be a bit dodgy for him as he would not know by looking at the bike bike what is good, what is bad, what is worn and what isnt.

jfry94

looks pretty good i would get it if i have the money
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Specialized-E ... 226wt_1139

cat_with_no_tail

widge34 wrote:

felix.london wrote:

For that money I'd go second hand. I don't know why most people recommend buying new on this forum. For £450 you could be riding £1500 worth of bike that is ready to go. No bedding in, no taking it back to the shop to be tweaked etc (alright, no free 1st service) but who cares. Get some tools and do it yourself...

eBay - all the way!

He's already admitted hes not too clever with bike maintenance so second hand might be a bit dodgy for him as he would not know by looking at the bike bike what is good, what is bad, what is worn and what isnt.

Very this.

Plus, some of the stupid prices people want for utter junk on ebay make it quite difficult to get a genuine bargain these days, especially if you're not 100% sure what you're looknig for.

Plus (most of the time) you can't try it on for size, and you've got no dealer support or warranty.

felix.london

@ widge34 - only one way to learn!

@ jfry94 - looks good! 8)

iamcami

jfry94 wrote:

looks pretty good i would get it if i have the money
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Specialized-E ... 226wt_1139

That looks lovely. I would like a full suspension, never had one.

Im in Glasgow tho so a bit of a journey. Buy it now price seems fine to me. Looks great. Although like has been mentioned, i prob wouldnt be able to tell if it's in good condition.

Thanks for those 2 near £500. I'll def keep a note of them. I don't want to go above £450 but if they are worth it i might.

I'm not sure if i want 2nd hand or new. At least with new i dont need to worry about getting something that's going to fall apart.

EDIT: Widge, quite a lot on the road actually lol. But i dont like road bikes. I'v always used MTBs. I would take it off road on some trails and stuff on the wknds.

felix.london

if you're quick!!

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/specialized-r ... 500wt_1021

All set up for commuting - lights, mud guard etc

iamcami

Pick up only.

I'd need to find out if i can get a lift first/find out how much travel is gonna cost.

And yea i dont really want to rush in to anything. Thanks though.

jfry94

message the bloke and see if you can arrange a courier shouldent be to hard
also if you pay though paypal your covered if the bike doesnt work

iamcami

i did that with the one you posted

this one only had a few mins

Cat With No Tail wrote:

I'd not normally recommend spending over a set budget in one of these threads, but in this case, for an extra £50, you could get a Rockrider 8.1 which pretty much just destroys everything else around this price range (and a couple of hundred quid more too) in terms of value for money.

£550 in the Glasgow store! i checked Reading (i think) and it was £500 like you said.

supersonic

felix.london wrote:

For that money I'd go second hand. I don't know why most people recommend buying new on this forum. For £450 you could be riding £1500 worth of bike that is ready to go. No bedding in, no taking it back to the shop to be tweaked etc (alright, no free 1st service) but who cares. Get some tools and do it yourself...

eBay - all the way!

I can give you a few good reasons. First when buying from a shop you get to see the bike, try it for size and ensure it suits you. You know it will be built and perfectly adjusted. And you have a warranty.

Buying from ebay you usually have none of these, and for an inexperienced MTBer is a minefield. No point buying a bargain old bike if it doesn't fit, needs the drivetrain replacing and has a cracked frame.

cat_with_no_tail

iamcami wrote:

i did that with the one you posted

this one only had a few mins

Cat With No Tail wrote:

I'd not normally recommend spending over a set budget in one of these threads, but in this case, for an extra £50, you could get a Rockrider 8.1 which pretty much just destroys everything else around this price range (and a couple of hundred quid more too) in terms of value for money.

£550 in the Glasgow store! i checked Reading (i think) and it was £500 like you said.

I can't speak from experience with this I'm afraid, but I'm pretty sure that if you contacted the Glasgow store, and pointed out teh price online and at the other store, then told them that's what you're willing to pay, or go elsewhere, they'd agree.

Hell, in this economy, you might even be able to get it for £450 if you go down there and don't mind being cheeky.

felix.london

You wouldn't just blindly by a bike off eBay. You check out what you want, you go and see it, you test it out. Obviously there's a slight risk when buying anything second hand but imo that is outweighed by having a much better final product for a much cheaper price.

Don't tell me you've never bought a second hand car? - same rules.

I am going to buy a DH bike next year and that I will buy new but if you're spending below £500 imo you get better value buying something a few years old. A lot of the bikes on eBay or wherever have only been ridden a handful of times on tarmac - they are pretty much brand new. And don't forget the OP is looking to upgrade from their current bike.

btw - I am/was an inexperienced MTBer but had no problem. I wanted a 19" Specialized Rockhopper because I'd ridden my brothers and I knew it felt great. Saw one on eBay, went to see it, had a test ride, still felt great, bid £300 and won it. I am now riding close to a grands worth of bike, have moved to the Alps and am very happy I didn't spend £400 on brand new Halford's special because tbh I don't think it would take the abuse it would be getting now

supersonic

No I've never bought any car! But many people who do buy bikes off Ebay do not go and see it first due to logistics. I've not seen many second hand bikes that can match the Decathlon.

2nd hand bikes certainly have their place, but I'd advise much caution: as a trained mechanic I can spot problems a mile off. That warranty can really be worth a little extra.

felix.london

yeah - fair enough. Out of interest warranty for what? - Frame or components? or both?

The big boys give lifetime warranties for their frames, no?

supersonic

Warranties are only applicable to the original purchaser, and are not transferable.

Decathlon have 5 years frame, 2 years parts.

felix.london

aha - so the Spesh lifetime warranty on my frame is null and void

Decathlon is French right? - that Rockrider 8.1 is advertised at €700 over here! You say you can get it for £500 in the UK? - that does sound like good value

http://www.decathlon.fr/vtt-rockrider-8 ... 68695.html

iamcami

Cat With No Tail wrote:

I'm pretty sure that if you contacted the Glasgow store, and pointed out teh price online and at the other store, then told them that's what you're willing to pay, or go elsewhere, they'd agree.

Well i phoned them up earlier and kinda played dumb, when i explained how it was more expensive here he chuckled as if it was stupid but we didnt get anywhere.

So i emailed them aswell.

Sorted.
____
We will be more than happy to match the price quoted online. Please let the cycles team know that you have spoken to ****** ****** the store manager.

Kind regards and apologies for the confusion. We are trying to resolve the pricing discrepancy centrally so apologies for this.
____

Not totally decided yet but i'v seen both supersonic and "cat with no tail" praise the Rockrider 8.1. Still considering that ebay one just cause it's full suspension. But really leaning towards the new one.

cat_with_no_tail

Full suspension does not necessarily = better though.

You've got to consider the sort of riding you'll be doing on it, and how suited each bike will be to that.

The forks on the decathalon are better than those on the spesh and the rest of the kit is pretty much equal on both (imho and at a quick glance).

iamcami

I'v heard the frame's not great on the Rockrider 8.1?

The ebay one is 7yrs old now where as this would be brand new. And having a warranty/guarantee sounds nice although not sure how much cover it gives.

iamcami

thoughts on this?
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Mode ... elID=69515

cooldad

Rubbish fork.

iamcami

cooldad wrote:

Rubbish fork.

Cheers, what are your thoughts on the Decathlon? The more people that recommend it the more confident ill be about it.

supersonic

The frame is excellent on the Rockrider.

The Rookie

We bought the lad a Spesh P1 off ebay, advertiser admitted to gear problems but didn't know what they were, got it for £120, got it home and realised it had a 9 speed cassette on an 8 speed bike (How on earth exactly?) and the rear mech was a bit shonky with loose pivots and sat at an angle, mech (now X7), shifter (X5) and chain (HG93) from classifieds/ebay and for £143 he has a pretty nice bike, sure the frame has a few chips, but then the way he rides he'd have them in 2 months anyway, soon it will get some decent tyres and some Manitou 120mm forks and for £250 ish will be a real bargain. BUT it does require you to be able to do the work yourself, otherwise it doesn't stack up as he'd need to budget about an extra £100 to get it done, fortunately the P1 came with Avid BB7 cable brakes so it doesn't give away much versus cheaper Hydro's.

Buying second hand can make a lot of sense, especially if a bike needs work (people get put off) and it often allows you to 'upgrade' within what it would cost to buy the bike as a 'good un', a similar P1 later went on ebay for circa £190 in complete good condition.

Simon

WebbyM3

If you are near a decathlon store i would defiently say go down there and have a look. I just bought one recently, it is my first peoper mountain bike and its so much fun its unbelievable. Also I couldn't find a bike with a better spec for the money either. Hope you get a good deal whatever bike you get
Ben