Help me out - Budget of £600 and looking for second hand HT

CTID

Hi,

First post so be nice please

Currently have a Custom mix of bits I'm riding. Was originally a Rockhopper comp 04, but frame was a bit big, so bought a Hardrock Pro frame that fitted me properly and added extra bits to that - XTR rear mech, XT front, XT Cassette and new chain, Monkey bars, matching bontrager seat and stem. Dmr V8's etc etc.

Anyway on topic:

Driving ban so now on bike for 15 months :oops:
Bike will be used mainly for commuting, but I also like to take the long way home as there are a few decent trails round here. Front lockout forks would be nice addition for the commute - but tyres aren't a problem, I've got a couple of different pairs.

I have a budget of £600 to spend on a second hand XC bike. Always had a soft spot for Specialized's and had various models over the years but fancy something else.

Ive been looking at the Orange Crush, but maybe a bit OTT for me and what it will be used for.

Anything similar you guys can recommend for the budget?

Cheers chaps,
Tony

The Rookie

Too many questions....
1/ What sort of riding do you do, even 'XC' can cover a wide band
2/ On what sort of terrain
HT or double bump?
Decent forks with floodgate don't really need lockout, they do that for you!

Suggesting a second hand bike is hard anyway, as none may be available to you.

Personally I'd suggest getting an on-one whippet carbon frame, reframing what you have with some upgrades as you do so.......

CTID

Thanks for your input!

First of all - mainly commuting - but im a bit of a bashful rider and weighing 15 stone need something quite burly.

Trail riding nothing serious, no jumping and stuff!

I really want a full build - have had enough of upgrading for now, and just want to sell what I have when I have a nice complete package.

I understand like you say what you suggest may not be available to me, but just wondered what else is similar in spec to an Orange Crush hopefully for less money!

cooldad

Any one of a million on Ebay.

CTID

cooldad wrote:

Any one of a million on Ebay.

Thanks for your help mate! :roll:

CTID

Yes I know I'm being a bit vague here.

Is an orange Crush a bit OTT for commuting with a few little bumps here and there. And is there anything in or around the same price bracket thats better specced?

snoopsmydogg

CTID wrote:

cooldad wrote:

Any one of a million on Ebay.

Thanks for your help mate! :roll:

he's right though. there are litterally loads of well specced bikes under £600 second hand.

from what I have seen recently

charge, on-one, genesis, giant, spesh, trek, cube, orange

the list goes on and then there is the 29ers and fs bikes.

cooldad

CTID wrote:

cooldad wrote:

Any one of a million on Ebay.

Thanks for your help mate! :roll:

Might be easier to find something(s) you like and ask for opinions.
Or you could just roll your eyes.

The Rookie

+1 makes more sense to come back with some bikes you're looking at and get opinions.

I'd be looking at maybe a Whippet or Scott scale (both HT) or maybe even a 29er like a Trek Superfly for what you describe.

CTID

Sorry I was a bit vague. Ended up with this for £650 delivered... What do you reckon?

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Orange-Crush- ... 7675.l2557

cooldad

Decent bike but not the world's greatest commuter.

CTID

cooldad wrote:

Decent bike but not the world's greatest commuter.

Im sure it will do me for under 3 miles a day

The Rookie

LOL, my neighbour used to do more that that (not much more) on an 8" travel Norco.

chrisw333

Will be fine on the trails, less so on the roads. Decent buy though

CTID

Any recomendations on a pair of more road friendly tyres as spares?

Got a set of halo twin rail tyres that roll quite well, but are due replacing soon so any ideas?

Cheers

snoopsmydogg

Schwalbe city jets, last forever, roll pretty well and good puncture resistance. Cheap too