On yer bike....advice for a newcomer please?

KernowBiker

Hi everyone,

My situation is this. I'm looking to by a new bike through the cyclescheme and just a little confused as to which way to go. My plans are to commute to work, which is an 8 mile round trip consisting of roads with a few hills and the options of some fun trailing on the way home if i want. (Probably not best to on the way in case of any mishaps )

Outside of work, I'm looking to do a combination of some road riding with a fair bit of off road/trail etc too.
My budget through the cyclescheme is £1000.

I've been to my local store, chatted to colleagues etc and have at the moment settled for the Specialised brand.

My considerations are as follows :-

Spec Tricross 2012/13 (although i'm not convinced it'll hold up without bone shaking me when off road)

Spec Crosstrail 2012/13 (again, not convinced it'll really do what i want completely)

Spec Rockhopper Pro 29er 2013 (love the look of this one, have read much conflict over the frame being downgraded from an M4 or M4SL to A1 Ally, not sure as a newcomer if i'd notice the difference, but see some unhappy reviewers online? Better off with a 2012 model if still available?)

Spec Carve Comp 2012/13 (love the look of this one too, worth dropping a model grade compared to rockhopper for the M4 or M4SL frame?)

All thoughts and advice greatly appreciated,

Many thanks

KB 8)

cooldad

Links?

oodboo

You can get more for your money with a different brand. Are you limited to one shop, if so what brands do they sell?

KernowBiker

I am limited to that store now as to get your cyclescheme purchasing certificate, you have to get a quote from a store and the sale is allocated to them.

Here is their website, (to be honest it's not very good, but the store and staff are superb)

http://www.cyclelogic.co.uk/static/

From memory they sell Specialised as one of their main brands, then Giant and Cervelo. Possibly others, sadly I can't remember.

Here's some Spec links for you Cooldad. the last link shows the 2013 rockhopper pics, the pro is the last one. please note that most of the links are 2012 models as 2013 info is sketchy to come by as they are only now launching 2013 on some models.


http://www.specializedconceptstore.co.u ... ort%20Disc

http://www.specializedconceptstore.co.u ... Pro%20Disc

http://www.specializedconceptstore.co.u ... 0Comp%2029

http://www.pitsfordcycles.co.uk/acatalo ... opper.html

http://forums.mtbr.com/specialized/2013 ... 98774.html (scroll down the forum post a little until you get to the multi pic post, the pro is the last one)

Look forward to your thoughts guys.

KB

gingerrob25

oodboo wrote:

You can get more for your money with a different brand.

+1
There was a topic the other day in the mtb general forum where everyone was talking about how the spec of the lower end specialized's for 2013 were rubbish.

Although being limited to one store doesn't help much

KernowBiker

Yup, I think i may have read that too, is £1000 lower end though, I'd have thought mid range, model depending of course. I also wonder if the store would order in a make/model for me if you guys had any suggestions too?

thanks again.

KB

gingerrob25

Yeah actually £1000 is mid range really, but still the specialized bikes don't have great specs considering the money you spend.

For example, (even though you can't get one) the rockrider 8 xc, which is £900, has a much better spec, better breaks, better drivetrain, better forks. You can get sram x7 on the rockrider! Meanwhile on the rockhopper you get shimarno acera!

Rob

Roostoids

See if they can order in a Cube bike. youll get a nice light well kitted hardtail from cube for a grand.

Obviously best choice would be a boardman.

oodboo

Focus make a nice 29er that I chose over the Carve. The Focus Black Forest 2.0 29r. Has a better fork and groupset for 100 less.

KernowBiker

I took your advice Roost, have looked into Cubes. Went to another LBS and had a good chat. Bear in mind they also have Specialised as their main brand, the guy i spoke to had bought a Cube over Specialised.

We chatted and compared the 2013 Spec RH 29er Pro to a Cube Ltd Pro 29er 2012 (the 2013 is coming out soon) and in his opinion, the Cube was better geared and better value for money. I've only seen the 2012 models in the flesh though as the RH is due in and the Cube is yet to be released. They have a better brand selection too at this LBS.

http://www.clivemitchellcycles.co.uk/

http://www.cube.eu/en/29er/ltd-pro-29/

http://www.pitsfordcycles.co.uk/acatalo ... -2373.html

With a bit of luck the 2013 Cube may be even better again in spec. The LBS will call when they know more. Now i need to get hold of Cyclescheme and see if I can alter my store on my certificate. From what I gather it should be doable.

Would appreciate thought and feedback on the Cube spec compared to the RH.

Also meant to say Rob, from what i read, the 2013 RH has SRAM 10 speed XC double ring crank set, is that what you meant? (As in the 2012 RH doesn't have)

Cheers,

KB

Roostoids

By all means check out the 2013 models, but don't be put off getting a 2012 one just because it isn't the 'newest thing'. Often the prices of last years bikes come down when the new ones are released, you might save some pennies by being a little bit retro

Im on my mobile so haven't checked the links sorry, but my gf has a Cube and a friend has a Cube hardtail which is mega light. They both love em and the standard kit is all excellent.

Doesn't matter to everyone but they also do some nice colour coding on everything.

Good luck with your choice, ultimately you will love whatever you get and they all ride nicely. You'll struggle to buy a bad bike for that money.

Roostoids

Just checked the links. The cube looks better to me. The front fork certainly is better and the brakes too.

Technically the deore gearing is a lower end choice but it works brilliantly just weighs a touch more (we're talking a few grams). I have deore brakes and theyre superb.

The easton stem and bars are qaulity kit, coupled with a light frame and tyres with a large centre block you'll be quick on road and well served off road.

Roostoids

Only thing with Cubes is they dont come with a chainslap (protects the part of the frame under the chain near the back wheel). Make sure they chuck one in for free for you 8)

Greer_

29ers will also be less well specced than 26" bikes in the same price range. Cube will be better value over specialized though!

KernowBiker

Thanks all for the replies and feedback. I have to say that it's really helped me make up my mind. And I'm glad I went to another LBS today also. I will double check with the original LBS to see if they can or can't get hold of Cube, will save messing around with phoning the cyclescheme folks to alter things. If not, I know where i'm going.

I hear what you are saying Roost and I'm quite happy being 'retro' and saving some pennies, the only thing is, i'll still have to wait until the 2013's are out and i won't get the full discounted price on an older model as it seems the cyclescheme charge the dealers 10% commision on their sales through the scheme. I would still get a discount though and i'd make a double saving as i won't pay full price through the scheme anyways. Win/Win.

the main reason I've gone for 29er is i'm led to believe it'll be slightly quicker on road and that you have more options of tyre size, at least that's what I was told about the RH, so i'm guessing it's the same story with the Cube?? (not totally fussed if these points aren't entirely accurate...hehe)

I've made a mental note about the chainslap too

Will keep you all updated and post pics too when i've got the bike. 8)

KB

cooldad

KernowBiker wrote:

Thanks all for the replies and feedback. I have to say that it's really helped me make up my mind. And I'm glad I went to another LBS today also. I will double check with the original LBS to see if they can or can't get hold of Cube, will save messing around with phoning the cyclescheme folks to alter things. If not, I know where i'm going.

I hear what you are saying Roost and I'm quite happy being 'retro' and saving some pennies, the only thing is, i'll still have to wait until the 2013's are out and i won't get the full discounted price on an older model as it seems the cyclescheme charge the dealers 10% commision on their sales through the scheme. I would still get a discount though and i'd make a double saving as i won't pay full price through the scheme anyways. Win/Win.

the main reason I've gone for 29er is i'm led to believe it'll be slightly quicker on road and that you have more options of tyre size, at least that's what I was told about the RH, so i'm guessing it's the same story with the Cube?? (not totally fussed if these points aren't entirely accurate...hehe)

I've made a mental note about the chainslap too

Will keep you all updated and post pics too when i've got the bike. 8)

KB

You have way fewer options for tyres, and all other 29er specific components. And they will be more expensive.

Greer_

Yep, as cooldad says about the tyres. And you're also likely to get better spec on an older bike (even 2012). Newer bikes generally cost more and are less well specced than predecessors. So even though the discount may be less, it could still be better.

gingerrob25

KernowBiker wrote:

Also meant to say Rob, from what i read, the 2013 RH has SRAM 10 speed XC double ring crank set, is that what you meant? (As in the 2012 RH doesn't have)

:oops: sorry, your right it does, I forgot it was the pro you were looking at, I must have been looking at a lower model...

good to hear you have come to more of a decision on what bike you want though.


Rob

oodboo

There's still enough choice for 29er wheels and tyres. I certainly don't feel limited anyway. There's just less available in the more hardcore options as 26ers still rule the gnar.

Man, that makes me sound like someone who says stoked regularly.

KernowBiker

Just as an Update, I spoke to the CycleScheme today and it seems that I'm able to use my certificate in any participating LBS! I just have to get the store to call them when i cash my certificate against a bike so that they can amend my cyclescheme agreement to show the new store and bike details. (useful point i thought others may wish to be aware of *nod*)

The choice is now firmly back in my hands. *cheer*