Buying Advice

kroton

I have no knowledge of good bad and indifferent bikes, being new to the world of MTB's. I am looking at a bike that looks very nice but can find absolutely no information on how good or bad it is.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/320968945280? ... 1423.l2648

This is a link to the bike on ebay. What I would like to know is, is this worth buying as a good starter bike or best avoided?
Many thanks in advance...

rockmonkeysc

It's a turd. And that's probably being nice about it as well.
What's your budget & what sort of riding do you intend to do?

cooldad

Not nice at all, and not actually a mountain bike. Solid steel, nasty bits, and ineffective undamped suspension.

benpinnick

If bikes could get a negative star rating, I suspect that would have one. Whats your budget? If provided, plus a guide to what you'd like to ride (off road, on road, to work etc.) I am sure good advice will follow....

felix.london

My god! What is that thing..it looks more like a Transformer mid transform!

kroton

Thanks guys.
Budget is around £250, hence my browsing ebay. Want to use it for off road, not the high velocity, adrenaline pumping off road, dirt tracks, moorlands, that sort of thing. Myself and a friend have both taken up on bikes but I only own a road bike and he has a hand me down Apollo. I'll avoid the Eiger, then
Cheers again!

cooldad

Depending on your size have a look at this. Not the greatest fork, but a lot of bike for the money.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/NEW-Python-Im ... 256b8f803e

benpinnick

Second hand is the way to go at that price, but on (or about ) your budget theres cooldad's option or;

http://www.winstanleysbikes.co.uk/produ ... _Bike_2011
http://www.decathlon.co.uk/rockrider-53 ... 06682.html
http://www.paulscycles.co.uk/products.p ... 1b0s2p3348
http://www.paulscycles.co.uk/products.p ... 1b0s2p2777

... etc. Good Luck!

cooldad

The Rockrider yes, but all the rest of those have even worse forks, and the Dawes and the GT are 7 speed, the Dawes is a freewheel I think, with Tourney and lower. Not very nice.

Second hand though could get something really nice. If you're careful and a bit patient.

benpinnick

Good point - scratch all but the RR.

kroton

That's brilliant, Thanks Guys!

cat_with_no_tail

I bought my old man one of those Rockriders at the weekend. After I set it up for him I gave it a little test and it's actually quite a nice ride. He just wants to use it for country tracks no more than a few miles each way. I'm secretly hoping he hates it now so I can have it off him and meet my monthly n+1 quota.

UncleMonty

Brand New: Available in BLACK

this made me smile

sleighty

im new to this site and do a bit of mtb biking and was wondering if all u guys could give me some advice on the bikes below:
jamis durango comp £449
http://www.evanscycles.com/products/jam ... e-ec031772

Specialized Hardrock £500
http://www.evanscycles.com/products/spe ... e-ec030674

GT Avalanche 2 £454
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/gt-avalanche-20-disc-2012/

Scott Scale 70 £529
http://www.paulscycles.co.uk/products.p ... 1b8s2p3029

Carrera Kraken £449
http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stor ... yId_165499


Any advice or other suggestions would be great lookin around £500 to spend would prefer no higher price. Thanks in advance, if u need any further information please feel free to ask.

regards
richard

chez_m356

sleighty wrote:

Any advice or other suggestions would be great lookin around £500 to spend would prefer no higher price. Thanks in advance, if u need any further information please feel free to ask.

regards
richard

for that money this http://www.decathlon.co.uk/81-2012-id_8168918.html unbeatable spec for £500

sleighty

are they any good decathlons to be honest been lookin at big names like specialized and gt just because i figured big brand decent spec and alot for ur money im i wrong in thinkin this lol .. thanks for the reply chez_m356 will take a look at the rockrider now

supersonic

You are thinking wrong - the big brands are dire value in the budget arena, the Rockrider is the best by far.

sleighty

ok thanks for the advice wish i would have asked on ere ages ago spent months looking at bikes and been told by others that i cant go wrong with the named brands especially gt's cos a couple of work mates have them but all im looking for is the best spec/value for my £500 dont need to be named brand. thanks again think thats what im gonna order, is it best to order online or do you suggest going instore

The Rookie

As SS says, at this price point the big brands (trek, GT, Spesh etc) are atrocious value for money, their £500 bikes are beaten by many of the tied in brand bikes (Carrera, Rockrider, Voodoo or to a lesser extent Pinnacle) priced at £350, they may look nicer, but your paying a lot for the badge.

chez_m356

sleighty wrote:

are they any good decathlons to be honest been lookin at big names like specialized and gt just because i figured big brand decent spec and alot for ur money im i wrong in thinkin this lol .. thanks for the reply chez_m356 will take a look at the rockrider now

just compare the spec on this years top rockhopper to that of the 8.1

http://www.evanscycles.com/products/spe ... 8#features

http://www.decathlon.co.uk/81-2012-id_8168918.html if the rockhopper had the spec of the 8.1 it would be over a £1000, a bit ironic really, as i'm sure i've seen mentioned on here before that both frames are made by merida

sleighty

thanks for the responses guys .. is there any shops u can recommend?

also if i decide to get finance on a higher price mtb any shops good for finance offers?

thanks

benpinnick

Most independent dealers will offer you 0% (subject to passing a more rigourous credit test) if you push them. Only on full price stuff though.