Buying multiple bikes?

GT Destroyer

Am looking out for 4, possibly 5 mountain bikes.

Purpose is for trails riding in Malawi, now I dont think the terrain is particularly rough, so my old Crush would probably be overkill.

Was thinking of something like a GT Avalanche? Decathlon rockrider? Are the Boardman bikes still highly rated?

Needs to be a H/T and needs to have hydro disc brakes, suspension travel not really an issue, needs to be quality as will get loads of use, so am thinking tough hardwearing, and easy to maintain.

So the bike choice, then the place to buy 5 from at one go, ideas??

Thanks.

nicklouse

paulscycles they always have good deals on old new stock but dont expect to see a discount on the total like you would in a shop. But may still be cheaper.

delcol

2 of my mates did the tour d afrique begining of 09.. one of my mates was the head mechanic for the tour..

he used a cyclecross bike with canti brakes for the ease of fixing them.. you have to think worse case. if somethig fails can you fix it or get replacement parts and in africa that could be hard if not impossable..

go for the simplest bike you can...

my other mate who did it used a spesialized rockhopper with fox forks, by the end the forks were dead.. the bike held up though.. but and it's a big but they had a support truck tailing them,

http://www.tourdafrique.com/

Anonymous

Is this for a group of you? A particular event, or could you set it up as a charity event?

Just wondering if there's some kind of sponsorship you could hook into or if there are any tax breaks a bit like the cycle to work for maybe a charity ride. Sponsored by a bike company you may get some kind of maintenance deal thrown in.

Aside from that, maybe talk to some of the distributors/manufacturers who supply the shops. e.g. Merida Bikes. They do their own stuff, plus supply Halfords including the Boardman.

What about leasing? http://www.phillconnell.com/blog/the-bi ... xperience/

Thinking about how companies bulk lease cars, maybe something similar with bikes, plus you get the maintenance covered and trade in every couple of years etc. Possibly just return them when you're done as you can with some car leasing, but not sure you'd get that option.

GT Destroyer

deadkenny wrote:

Is this for a group of you? A particular event, or could you set it up as a charity event?

Just wondering if there's some kind of sponsorship you could hook into or if there are any tax breaks a bit like the cycle to work for maybe a charity ride. Sponsored by a bike company you may get some kind of maintenance deal thrown in.

Aside from that, maybe talk to some of the distributors/manufacturers who supply the shops. e.g. Merida Bikes. They do their own stuff, plus supply Halfords including the Boardman.

What about leasing? http://www.phillconnell.com/blog/the-bi ... xperience/

Thinking about how companies bulk lease cars, maybe something similar with bikes, plus you get the maintenance covered and trade in every couple of years etc. Possibly just return them when you're done as you can with some car leasing, but not sure you'd get that option.

Should have explained a bit more. I am going to a backpackers lodge, with a dive centre attached, they don't do bike tours at the moment but the owner has asked me if I could look into buying some bikes so they can offer tours for the guests etc...They suggested 4, with 1 for the guide, hopefully me!

Im not 100% on the budget, or the terrain but will be soon

delcol

speek to some companies then to see if you can get some kind of pro deal sponsership.

could be a potential money pot,,