Typical newbie...

24

Comments

  • MasterYoda
    MasterYoda Posts: 55
    Got you. Thanks very much for the information. Right, I give up looking - it seems the Bantu is the way to go. Now, who's got a discount code for Halfords haha?

    On a more serious note, I can't easily get to Halfords to test it, and I was going to take advantage of the free home delivery where it's apparently setup by a Voodoo mechanic beforehand, which I was hoping would avoid the Halfords 'lottery'. As such, I'm trying to choose the right size online - not ideal, I know. I'm a 30" inside leg and 5' 10", so I was thinking the 20"? Would you agree? I realise it's a risk, but I'm happy to take it.

    I plan on training myself up in maintenance, so you'll probably see me around a lot!
  • supersonic
    supersonic Posts: 82,708
    18". I'm 6ft with a 35 inside leg, and I would probably get the 18 myself!
    GT ZASKAR CARBON TEAM

    VOODOO CANZO

    Come and see me at https://www.facebook.com/biketyke/
  • MasterYoda
    MasterYoda Posts: 55
    supersonic wrote:
    18". I'm 6ft with a 35 inside leg, and I would probably get the 18 myself!

    Glad I asked!

    Tried to order it, but there isn't a space for my 10% off code! Raging!
  • MasterYoda
    MasterYoda Posts: 55
    Hi,

    Having trouble with Halfords not accepting a 10% off voucher I have so not placed an order yet. I got an email today about this Diamondback bike, and the only thing I can't figure out after searching is the quality of the Roxshox fork compared to the Raidon air.

    http://www.rutlandcycling.com/44911/Dia ... -2011.html

    Any help? is it a competitor to the Voodoo?

    Cheers!
  • supersonic
    supersonic Posts: 82,708
    Well the forks moves up and down. It is nowhere near as good as the Raidon - the rest of the parts are ok.
    GT ZASKAR CARBON TEAM

    VOODOO CANZO

    Come and see me at https://www.facebook.com/biketyke/
  • MasterYoda
    MasterYoda Posts: 55
    supersonic wrote:
    Well the forks moves up and down. It is nowhere near as good as the Raidon - the rest of the parts are ok.

    Haha, ok then. So again, not as good as the air.

    I really think I've cracked it this time, other than the brand which I can't find much info on.

    I found a new in box Iron Horse Unity 8.4 with the following spec:

    Aluminium Suspension Fork: Rockshox Tora TK Coil suspension fork with Lockout and Rebound Adjustment Front and Rear Derailleurs: Shimano Deore Shifters: Shimano Deore Trigger Shifters Number of Gears: 27 Brakes: Tektro Auriga Hydraulic Disc Brakes Handlebars: Aluminium Riser Bar 20mm Low Rise Chainset: Truvativ Tyres: 2.1" WTB Saddle: WTB Speed V-Sport Pedals: Aluminium Platform Pedals

    What do you think of that for £399?
  • MasterYoda
    MasterYoda Posts: 55
    Going back to the Bantu, I know we talked about the 18" before, but I'm wondering if I should go for the 16" due to my inseam. The Voodoo site suggests the 18" is for a 33-35" inseam. I'm 30-31".
  • supersonic
    supersonic Posts: 82,708
    The only way is to try it if not sure. The Iron Horse looks good value.
    GT ZASKAR CARBON TEAM

    VOODOO CANZO

    Come and see me at https://www.facebook.com/biketyke/
  • MasterYoda
    MasterYoda Posts: 55
    supersonic wrote:
    The only way is to try it if not sure. The Iron Horse looks good value.
    Thanks. Does the Tora fork compare favourably to the Raidon?
  • supersonic
    supersonic Posts: 82,708
    Yes. Not as adjustable though.
    GT ZASKAR CARBON TEAM

    VOODOO CANZO

    Come and see me at https://www.facebook.com/biketyke/
  • MasterYoda
    MasterYoda Posts: 55
    I now have another option. A used, ex-hire Trek 6300 with the below spec is available locally for £550 and they offer interest free finance to allow me to pay it monthly (allowing me to up the budget slightly).

    So, now the question is - ex-hire Trek 6300 at the above price, or a brand new Voodoo Bantu at £359?

    Thanks again.

    Trek 6300 spec:
    Frame: Alpha Gold Aluminium w/semi-integrated head tube, formed down tube w/integrated gusset, formed top tube, monostay seatstay, forged dropouts w/rack & fender mounts, replaceable derailleur hanger
    Fork: RockShox Recon Silver TK Solo Air, remote lockout, rebound, alloy steerer, 100mm travel
    Front Derailleur: Shimano Deore
    Rear Derailleur: Shimano Deore XT M780 Shadow
    Number of Gears: 30
    Shifters: Shimano Deore M591, 10 speed
    Chainset: Shimano M552, 42/32/24
    Cassette: Shimano HG62-10 11-36, 10 speed
    Pedals: Wellgo alloy platform
    Front Brake: Avid Elixir 1 hydraulic disc brakes
    Rear Brake: Avid Elixir 1 hydraulic disc brakes
    Brake Levers: Avid Elixir 1 hydraulic disc brakes
    Handlebars: Bontrager Low Riser OS, 31.8mm, 15mm rise, 9 degree sweep
    Stem: Bontrager Race Lite, 31.8mm
    Headset: 1-1/8" threadless, semi-integrated, semi-cartridge bearings
    Grips: Bontrager Race Lite
    Rims: Bontrager AT-850 disc 32-hole rims
    Front Hub: Shimano M525 alloy hubs
    Rear Hub: Shimano M525 alloy hubs
    Front Tyre: Bontrager XR1, wire bead, 26x2.2"
    Rear Tyre: Bontrager XR1, wire bead, 26x2.2"
    Saddle: Bontrager Evoke 1
  • MasterYoda
    MasterYoda Posts: 55
    This is the model of Trek 6300 being offered at £550. Is it worth the upgrade over the Bantu, bearing in mind it has been hired 40 times? It has been serviced well after each use apparently.

    http://www.trekbikes.com/ca/en/bikes/2012/archive/6300

    Finally, I have also been offered the Haro Flightline Expert (http://www.winstanleysbikes.co.uk/produ ... _Bike_2011) for £549.

    Here is the spec of the Haro:

    Frame: Flightline K7 aluminium front triangle w/6061 T6 Butted SS/CS integrated HT and smooth welds
    Fork: RockShox Tora TK 100mm Travel w/Turnkey lockout
    Cranks: Shimano M521 Octalink 22/32/44
    Bottom Bracket: Shimano Octalink Sealed
    Pedals: ATB Caged - nylon boy w/steel cage
    Front Derailleur: Shimano Deore
    Rear Derailleur: Shimano XTR Shadow
    Shifters: Shimano Deore Rapid Fire Plus 9-Speed
    Cassette: SRAM PG-950 9-Speed 11/34T
    Chain: Shimano HG53
    Front Hub: Pivit Alloy 32H QR
    Rear Hub: Pivit Alloy 32H QR
    Rims: WTB SX24 32H Double Wall
    Front Tyre: Kenda Kadre 2.1
    Rear Tyre: Kenda Kadre 2.1
    Front Brake: Shimano SLX Hydraulic Disc with 6" Rotors
    Rear Brake: Shimano SLX Hydraulic Disc with 6" Rotors
    Brake Levers: Shimano SLX
    Handlebar: Alloy riser 30mm rise 620mm wide 31.8mm thick
    Headset: Tange integrated sealed bearing
    Stem: Pivit alloy clamp on 7 degree rise 31.8mm
    Grips: WTB Moto
    Saddle: WTB Rocket V Comp
    Seat Post: Ritchey Comp V2 30.0mm
    Seat Clamp: Pivit alloy QR


    Help! :D
  • supersonic
    supersonic Posts: 82,708
    If the ex hire bikes have no warranty or guaranteee, forget it.
    GT ZASKAR CARBON TEAM

    VOODOO CANZO

    Come and see me at https://www.facebook.com/biketyke/
  • MasterYoda
    MasterYoda Posts: 55
    And if they do have a warranty? It's with Alpine Bikes. What about the Haro? It's new.
  • MasterYoda
    MasterYoda Posts: 55
    Just checked. They are offering a 3 month warranty on the ex-hire Trek 6300.
  • Chunkers1980
    Chunkers1980 Posts: 8,035
    The Haro has 500 quid in fork, mechs, and brakes alone.
  • supersonic
    supersonic Posts: 82,708
    But can you get finance with the Haro?

    I'd forget the Trek.
    GT ZASKAR CARBON TEAM

    VOODOO CANZO

    Come and see me at https://www.facebook.com/biketyke/
  • MasterYoda
    MasterYoda Posts: 55
    Yeah, interest-free finance on the Haro.

    Thanks for the thoughts on the Trek and for persevering with my questions! Just trying to get the best deal possible after some previous bad experience.

    So right now, we have the Haro at £549 (cash + finance) or the Bantu at £359 (cash). I realise they are different beasts, but trying to figure if the difference is worth it in the long run - I want to keep this for a long time.

    The only thing I can't figure on the Halo is what frame-size I would need. Again, buying online has the pitfall of not testing beforehand, but at least there is a return policy.
  • supersonic
    supersonic Posts: 82,708
    The Haro is better than the Bantu, and is worth the extra.
    GT ZASKAR CARBON TEAM

    VOODOO CANZO

    Come and see me at https://www.facebook.com/biketyke/
  • MasterYoda
    MasterYoda Posts: 55
    Right, going to go for the Haro and hope it works out well! :D

    I'll let you know how it goes and post some pics of my purchase, though you'll probably be sick of me on here haha.
  • MasterYoda
    MasterYoda Posts: 55
    I know this is exceptionally difficult to establish without sitting on it, but I'm confused by this bike's geometry.

    The standover is 26.9 inches, but seat tube (c-t) is 15". The standover seems correct for my height 5' 10"/inseam (30"), but seat tube seems short.

    Thoughts?
  • bennett_346
    bennett_346 Posts: 5,029
    Standover means nothing really, other than it gives you three inches of ball clearance when you step off.
  • MasterYoda
    MasterYoda Posts: 55
    Yeah, I know what standover is. It just seems oddly out of ratio with the seat tube height of 15" in this case. Can you see that being an issue for me? The standover isn't, and on paper seems like a good fit.
  • MasterYoda
    MasterYoda Posts: 55
    It's never ending. Another option:

    Cube Ltd (2012):





    Model Year (2012)
    Options 16" Grey Metal - In Stock,
    18" Grey Metal - In Stock,
    20" Grey Metal - In Stock,
    22" Grey Metal - In Stock
    Frame Alu Superlite AMF 6061 Double Butted, RFR-Geometry, Disc only
    Forks Rock Shox Recon TK Air, 100mm, Poploc
    Rear Derailleur Shimano Deore XT RD-M780 Shadow 10-speed
    Front Derailleur Shimano Deore FD-M590, Top Swing 34,9mm, 10-speed
    Shifters Shimano Deore SL-M591, Rapidfire-Plus, 10-speed
    Chainset Shimano FC-M552 2-Piece 42x32x24T, 175mm, integrated BB, 3x10 speed
    Headset FSA No.10 semi-integrated
    Stem Easton EA30 Oversized
    Handlebars Easton EA30 Lowriser Oversized
    Front Brake Formula RX hydr. discbrake (180mm)
    Rear Brake Formula RX hydr. discbrake (160mm)
    Rims Alex ZX 24
    Front Hub Shimano HB-M475 Disc
    Rear Hub Shimano FH-M475 Disc
    Spokes DT Industry
    Tyres Front Tyre: Schwalbe Rapid Rob Performance 2.25
    Rear Tyre: Schwalbe Rapid Rob Performance 2.25
    Innertubes: Impac AV14
    Saddle Selle Italia X1
    Seatpost Easton EA30 31,6mm
    Seatclamp: Scape Varioclose 34.9mm
    Pedals Fasten Alu
    Grips CUBE Performance Grip

    I think this has the better fork, but slightly inferior mech? £599 for this one new.
  • MasterYoda
    MasterYoda Posts: 55
    edited March 2013
    This is never ending. Help!

    The Haro is only 15" and the shop thinks it will be too small for someone of my height (actually 5' 8") and inseam (30"). So, that rules that out I guess. (If only I could go down and try it out!)

    Is the 2012 Cube LTD (above) worth £599 compared to the Voodoo Hoodoo that I can now get for £429? I can get finance on the first, and not the second.

    Any advice would be much appreciated!
  • MasterYoda
    MasterYoda Posts: 55
    Yeah, got that code and together with my new 10% British Cycling discount, that's how I get to the £420 for the Hoodoo. Trying to work out if the Cube is worth the extra £180. To my eyes, it would seem that it is as fork, and brakes would cost £500 alone from the above spec.

    Just looking for the thoughts of others though.

    The Cube is also a beautiful bike, and I love the design. It also has the advantage of being from a dealer offering part finance, allowing me a slightly more comfortable budget.
  • MasterYoda
    MasterYoda Posts: 55
    Any thoughts on the Cube LTD v the Hoodoo (specs above)? Really want to put an end to this saga and would appreciate some knowledgeable input! Budget is absolute max £600. Am I making the right purchase?

    Someone, push me over the edge!
  • bennett_346
    bennett_346 Posts: 5,029
    I've seen women spend less time picking shoes out.
  • MasterYoda
    MasterYoda Posts: 55
    Thanks for the helpful contribution. On two occasions.
  • Proutster
    Proutster Posts: 785
    My initial reaction was "don't worry about him, Bennett can sometimes be a fool", but having read the whole thread - he's right, make your mind up!

    I live my life by this quote "It is far better to make a wrong decision, than no decision at all" - so do it, buy the next one that you think of. It'll be fine.
    Giant Reign
    Mondraker Summum

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